Preventing Pregnancy: Contraception

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Introduction:  The majority of women are able to become pregnant from their teenage years until their 40s.  It is estimated that around half of all pregnancies are not planned.  Contraception (birth control) is used to prevent pregnancy.

Understanding how birth control stops pregnancy:
A woman has a uterus with tubes on each side called fallopian tubes.  These fallopian tubes lead to the ovaries on each side.  Every month, one of the ovaries releases an egg which travels into the fallopian tube.  This process of the egg being released is called ovulation.  Ovulation usually occurs 14 days after the first day of your last period.  A woman becomes pregnant during sex by the sperm going up into the uterus (via the vagina) and traveling into the tubes to meet the egg.  If the sperm joins the egg, fertilization will occur.  The fertilized egg then goes from the fallopian tube to the uterus and implants into the uterus.  This grows into a baby.

How do you prevent pregnancy?
Hormones:  Hormones prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation so the woman's egg is never released.  These DON'T prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
Birth control pill (oral contraceptives):  Most pills have the two hormones of estrogen and progesterone.  The pill is highly effective and safe for most women.  However, the pill must be taken every day at the same time.  The pill can not be given to smokers over 35 years of age, when there is a history of blood clots, liver tumor, breast cancer, or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.  The pill can make peroids less heavy and helps make cramps less painful.  
Injection (Depo Provera shot):  This is a shot that a woman must get every three months.  Side effects include irregular bleeding or not having periods at all.  This is also hightly effective and safe.  Women who have problems remembering to take pill may prefer this option.
Intrauterine Device (IUD):  This is a small, t-shaped device that is placed into the uterus.  This prevents the egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus.  These can have hormones or be made of copper.  The hormonal form needs replaced every year but the copper one can be left in for 10 years.  Because the IUD can make infections worse, this is not a good choice for someone who is at risk for getting sexually transmitted diseases and is generally not given to unmarried women.
Condoms: A condom is a piece of latex or animal skin that fits over the penis.  This is a very good choice of contraception in an unmarried woman because it is the best method that prevents sexually transmitted diseases.  The condom is not 100% at preventing sexually transmitted diseases, but if you are going to have sex, this is the best way to protect yourself.  You should use latex (if you have no allergy) because latex is better at preventing sexually transmitted diseases.  When using condoms, it is a good idea to also use a spermicide because condoms can break.  Spermicides work by killing sperm.  Condoms with spermicide are a very effective birth control method.
Sterilization: This is the permanent way to prevent pregnancy.  This should only be done when you are 100% sure you never want any more children.  This is done in women by tubal ligation.  Tubal ligation is when the fallopian tubes are permanently closed off by tying, clipping, burning, or cutting.  Men are sterilizated by a procedure called a vasectomy which permanently stops sperm from being released.
Emergency Contraception:  This is hormones that can be taken within 72 hours after sex to prevent pregnancy.  So if the condom breaks, think about doing this.  Contact your doctor right away if you need this method.
Diaphragm:  This is a safe method with rare side effects.  It must be fitted properly by your doctor to work well. It must be inserted up to six hours before sex and removed at 6-24 hours after sex.  It is usually used with a spermicide.
There are other birth control methods not listed.  Talk to your doctor about which is best for you.