Birth Control Methods

You must be wondering why birth control is my topic of choice. A lot of you are thinking that it’s pretty easy to know how to use different birth controls. Working as a labor and delivery nurse made it pretty clear to me that many people have no idea what types of birth control are available or how to use them. I see many young women having babies because their pregnancy was unplanned. I hear stories every day from women who say they didn’t know how to use contraceptives or they thought that they couldn’t get pregnant because they only had sex one time. I had a patient who was fourteen years old and having her first baby. She was so young and did not have a clue about childbirth and raising a child. I thought that if she had all the resources available to her that her pregnancy could have been avoided .According to WedMD.com, each year about eight out of ten women who don’t use birth control have an unplanned pregnancy (pg. 1). As a nurse, it is my responsibility to provide these women with all the proper information regarding birth control and family planning.

Let’s start by defining what birth control means. Birth control is any method of preventing pregnancy (WebMD.com pg 1). There are many different types of birth control such as hormones, barriers, IUD’s, natural barriers and permanent methods.


Hormones 
Birth control pills have been around a long time and is the leading form of birth control used in by women younger than 30 years old(WedMD.com pg 1). Birth control pills prevent the release of eggs AKA ovulation which in turn prevents pregnancy. Birth control pills can have side effects and does not protect a woman from sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s). For women who can’t remember to take a pill everyday, there is a form of the pill that is available in a patch. This patch delivers hormones through the skin and has to be changed only once a week. Vaginal rings also deliver hormones directly into the uterus and the cervix. It is similar to the patch but the ring is placed into the vagina once a month.

IUD’s

IUD stands for intrauterine device. It is another form of birth control meant to be used for long term pregnancy prevention. An IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic device that is wrapped in copper or contains hormones. The IUD is inserted into the uterus by a doctor. A plastic string tied to the end of the IUD hangs down through the cervix into the vagina. There are two types of IUD’s which can prevent pregnancy for five to ten years. Both types of IUD prevent fertilization of the egg by damaging or killing sperm. The IUD also affects the uterine lining where a fertilized egg would implant and grow (WedMd.com pg 2).


Barriers
Let’s start with the easiest barrier that comes to mind. Condoms (both male and female) are a means to prevent sperm from entering the vagina. The male condom is placed on the penis before any sexual activity occurs. Condoms are relevantly inexpensive and you don’t need a doctor to write a prescription for them. The female condom is similar to the male condom with preventing pregnancy. The only difference is it is placed into the vagina prior to sex. Both protect against pregnancy and preventing the spread of STD’s.



A diaphragm is a latex cup with a spring in its rim to hold it is place in the vagina (WedMD.com pg 2). You need a doctor to fit you for a diaphragm. The diaphragm must be used with spermicide in order to work correctly. Spermicide is a chemical that kills sperm or makes them inactive (WedMD.com pg 1). The diaphragm does not use hormones.
A vaginal sponge is a soft circular polyurethane device that contains nonxynol-9 which is a spermicide. The sponge is placed into the vagina and prevents sperm from getting into the cervix.Natural Barriers
Coitus interruptus is also known as pulling out. This is when a man pulls out his penis before ejaculation can occur in the vagina. This is not a good way to prevent pregnancy. Sometimes a man can delay pulling out and sperm could enter the vagina.

Natural family planning can be used by couples who are against any other forms of birth control due to religious beliefs. It involves intermittent times of abstinence around the time when a woman is fertile (during the ovulation period). Women who use this method keep track of cervical mucus changes, waking temperatures, and their own cycle periods (WedMD.com pg 1). I wouldn’t recommend this to young women such as teenagers and those who have irregular periods.

The best form of a natural barrier is continuous abstinence. Simply put, it is the act of not engaging in any form of sex or sexual activities. This is the only form of birth control that is completely 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and any unwanted STD’s.


Permanent Methods

A tubal ligation is the tying off of the fallopian tube. This cuts off a path for sperm to travel. It is a surgical procedure which usually has a short healing time. I see hundreds of tubal ligations at my job. The doctor usually ties off the tube and either cuts it out or burns it off. This is usually not reversible and a signed consent must be taken.
A vasectomy is the male counterpoint of a tubal ligation. It is the same concept as having a woman’s tubes tied. A small incision is made into the scrotum and the tubes that carry sperm into the penis are closed off usually by cutting or burning. The only difference is
that is takes some time for a male to actually become infertile. Some sperm could stay trapped in the tubes and escape during sex. A man’s semen must be tested in order to confirm that there is no sperm left in it.

I have given you just a few examples of various forms of birth control. Let’s be honest, the easiest way to avoid pregnancy is simply not to have sex. Its sounds silly, but it’s the only sure way to prevent both babies and diseases. Raising a child can be very challenging (physically, emotionally, and financially). It is important to provide every possible method esp. to young people. If resources are made available to the community, then there is a less likely chance of diseases being spread and less unplanned pregnancies. There are clinics all over many communities, many of which are open door to the public. People can receive any of the barriers discussed above and can speak to counselors and nurses in regards to family planning.