Empowering Women to Choose Methods and Forms of Birth Control

It was not so long ago it was considered illegal to buy or sell birth control or contraceptives. When the pill was first offered to the Canadian market, it was sold as a product intended to regulate the menstrual cycle of women. The ban was finally lifted in 1969 when the federal government has authorized the use of birth control. This included condoms out from under the counters of pharmacies, where they are sold only to those who expressly ask for them. For men who have undergone vasectomy, the condom has proved to be the most effective in preventing pregnancy. However, it is usually marketed as the best protection against the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Today, many options are offered especially for women who want more control over their selection and use of various forms of birth control. Different forms of birth control are now easily available after research and major investments were made by pharmaceutical giants in the business of birth control product.

Oral contraceptives have two types: combination pills containing estrogen and progesterone and progesterone only alternative. Combination pills prevent ovulation or the release of eggs from the ovaries of a woman. Progestin pills usually work by thickening cervical mucus, preventing sperm from joining with an egg.

Another common form of birth control is the contraceptive patch. It offers a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones when a patch is attached to the skin. Like a bandage, it is applied to the abdomen, buttocks, arms, or upper torso. The patch, however, received some criticism for its alleged serious side effects.

Forms of birth control may even come as devices that meet just inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Also known as intrauterine devices, or IUDs, the device in the form of T is inserted by a doctor into the uterus where it can remain there for at least five years. Copper or plastic device that prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg. This form of birth control has several advantages over other methods. They can remain in place for years, they do not release hormones in the body, they can easily be removed if pregnancy is desired, and they cost less.

There are also contraceptive injections for birth control. Depo-Provera may last for 12 weeks, and Noristerat, which can last for 8 weeks. Each delivers the progestin to stop ovulation. The fire is considered 99 percent effective. However, if you spend more time than 12 or eight weeks between injections, your risk of becoming pregnant increases dramatically.

Another common form of birth control would use a diaphragm. It is a thin rubber dome that is inserted by a woman in her vagina before sex. It fits over the cervix and is held in place by the vaginal muscles. By itself, does not offer much protection against pregnancy. But combined with a spermicide, it is estimated 86 to 94 percent effective.

Ultimately, it is for a woman to decide what form of birth control, she wants to use. Men should also take responsibility for birth control. However, advice from medical professionals qualified health must be part of making decisions on methods of birth control.