Birth Control Tips

Most Effective Birth Control

Birth control: so many choices are out there. Which ones are the best in preventing pregnancy? Which birth control is the most effective on the market today?

What is the best birth control someone can choose, the only birth control that is completely and 100 percent foul-proof? Abstinence. Abstinence is the one and only 100 percent positive way to avoid pregnancy.

If abstinence isn't the right choice for you, there are other options out there. Many are more effective than others for preventing pregnancy.

Many birth control types are highly effective, however the best choices are as follows:

-IUD
-Depo Provera
-Birth Control Pill: when taken correctly and accurately.
-The Patch

The best choice from the three above is the IUD. The IUD is close to 99 percent effective when inserted correctly. The Depo shot is a close second with 97 percent effectiveness.

Whatever a birth control choice may be, the best person to talk to about the choice,is a physician.

Antibiotics and Depo Provera

Depo Provera, is a popular form of birth control that is injected into the buttocks or arm every three months. When used correctly, the Depo Provera shot is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

The effects of the shot should not be lessened when combined with antibiotics. However, it is always smart to let the doctor who prescribed the antibiotics know that you are currently using the Depo Provera shot for birth control.

Natural Methods of Birth Control

The natural methods of birth control are not as effective as other methods such as condoms and oral contraceptives. They work best on woman with regular periods who are in tune with their bodies.
Some natural methods of birth control are:
-Withdrawal: Man withdraws penis from woman's vagina before ejaculating. However, penis can release sperm throughout sex and not just during ejaculation. This method is about 60%-80% effective.
-Calendar method: Abstinence from sex during week woman is ovulating. Works best for women with regular cycles who are in tune with their bodies. This method is about 75% effective.
-The temperature method: Woman takes her basal body temperature every morning with a highly accurate basal thermometer. A specific elevation in temperature can determine that a woman is about to ovulate and thus she abstains from sex a few days before and after ovulation. However, sickness and lack of sleep can throw body temperature off. This method works best when used in conjunction with the mucus method.
-The mucus method: Track changes in the amount and texture of woman's discharge. Discharge or mucus will usually come as estrogen begins to arrive and ovulation is near. Women will avoid discourse from the day the discharge begins to show until four days after it's gone. A vaginal infection or the use of vaginal products may throw off the discharge pattern. This method works best when used in conjunction with the temperature method.
-Lactational amenorrhea method: Some experts claim that as long as a woman has had no periods since she gave birth and is nursing a specific amount, she won't get pregnant. However, a woman will probably ovulate before her period arrives and will have no warning, making this method risky.

When Does the Birth Control Pill Start Working?

If you are taking your birth control pills using the Sunday start, you should use a back-up method of birth control for the first seven days. If you are starting your pills on the first day of your period, you are protected immediately. But remember, pills do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. You should check with your doctor for any concerns you have and read the information that came with your pills for any more information.

Signs of Pregnancy

There are many different signs that tell women they are pregnant, but none is more conclusive than taking an actual pregnancy test. The symptoms vary from woman to woman and many of them can be related to something other than pregnancy. Here is a list of the most common early signs of pregnancy:
-Delayed or missed period
-Nausea/morning sickness
-Tender breasts
-Darkening of areolas
-Implantation bleeding
-Fatigue
-Frequent urination
-Headaches
-Backaches

Some women begin to show symptoms within days of becoming pregnant and some never show the signs. Again, your best bet is to take a pregnancy test and to check with your doctor for other signs of pregnancy.