Because women have the ability to become pregnant, the onus is generally on them to take responsibility for birth control. There are many more options for women's contraception as opposed to men's, and likely there is one that is right for every woman.
Hormonal Birth Control
Altering the menstrual cycle through the use of extraneous hormones is a popular method of birth control that women use. Birth control pills have been in use for many years with a fairly high and predictable success rate. Recently, hormone patches, injections and cervical rings that release hormones have gained in popularity for the simple reason that they are not pills that have to be taken daily. The effectiveness of these methods of birth control is usually above 92 percent.
Rhythm Method
The rhythm method requires a good understanding of a woman's menstrual cycle. Typically a woman ovulates on day 14 of her menstrual cycle. Thus, intercourse within a day or two on either side of ovulation risks pregnancy. This type of contraception only works well for women with menstrual cycles that are predictable (regardless of whether they are 28 days long or not). There is a 25 percent failure rate associated with this form of birth control, but women with predictable menstrual cycles have fewer failures.
Tubal Ligation
Tubal ligation is when the fallopian tubes are severed, which prevents the egg from meeting sperm there and being fertilized. This option is becoming less popular, as other options are becoming available. A tubal ligation must be done surgically, and many women who have cesarean sections opt for these because the fallopian tubes are exposed and can be easily tied off right after the birth of their baby.
Intrauterine Devices
IUDs are devices that are placed into the uterus. Some of these contain substances that kill sperm, and some of these simply prevent the implantation of an embryo (and so do not prevent conception). These are about 99 percent effective and can almost always be removed if you want to get pregnant.
Cervical Caps
Diaphragms are cups that are inserted and fit over the cervix, blocking the opening of the uterus. This prevents sperm from entering the uterus and traveling up toward the egg. The success rate is about 84 percent with diaphragms.
Spermicides
Spermicides are products that come in a gel or a foam and kill sperm on contact. Used alone, spermicides are marginally effective (about a 30 percent failure rate) but are generally used in conjunction with another form of birth control to increase the effectiveness of each.
Abstinence
Abstinence remains the only form of birth control that is 100 percent effective. It is also the only form of birth control available for women that also protects against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Tags: birth control, , , about percent, menstrual cycle