Having sex is about making choices. We choose our partners, when we're ready to have sex, when to wait, and what we feel comfortable doing.
Finally, we can choose to have sex in the safest way.
Avoiding getting pregnant requires one to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of each birth control method and to choose the one(s) that you find comfortable, can use correctly, and will use consistently each time you have sex.
With so many options, choosing a birth control method may be hard.Here are the top questions to ask yourself when making this decision.
- How comfortable would I be using a particular method?
- Will the contraceptive prevent sexually transmitted diseases?
- How important is ease of use and convenience?
-Do I want to have a biological child in the future?
- How effective do I want my birth control method to be?
- How would an unplanned pregnancy affect my life?
- Do I have health factors that may limit my choice of contraceptive?
- What are my religious and moral values?
- How much will the birth control method cost?
- Am I looking for a contraceptive that offers additional benefits?
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception (EC) is an option that women can choose to reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. Emergency contraceptives have been available for more than 30 years and are a safe and effective method of contraception.
Available Forms:
Emergency contraception is offered in three ways:
* Plan B (progestin-only branded product)
* Oral contraceptive pills (either progestin-only birth control pills or combined oral contraceptives)
* ParaGard IUD {a copper-releasing intrauterine device)
Emergency contraception contains the same hormones that are found in birth control pills. The exact mechanism of action is not clear. However, emergency contraception MAY help to reduce the risk of pregnancy by stopping ovulation, blocking fertilization, or by preventing the sperm to join the egg. The mechanism likely depends on where in the menstrual cycle a women is.
Typically, women should obtain emergency contraception if there is a chance that pregnancy could occur due to contraception failing or unprotected intercourse.
Generally speaking, almost every female who needs emergency contraception can safely use it; this even applies to women who are not good candidates to use oral contraceptives as their main form of birth control. EC can also be used safely by adolescents.
When Emergency Contraception Should Be Started:
In order to reduce the risk of pregnancy, EC should be started up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse. The sooner it is obtained, the better the chances of preventing pregnancy.
Misconceptions About Emergency Contraception:
Emergency contraception is not the same thing as an abortion. EC cannot end a pregnancy or affect an existing pregnancy. Scientific authorities are in agreement that emergency contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy and helps prevent the need for abortion.
How to Obtain Emergency Contraception:
Plan B is now available over the counter for women over 18 and can usually be found at a local pharmacy. Other forms of emergency contraception can be obtained by prescription, so this would require an appointment with a doctor.
For those females under the age of 18, a prescription is also needed to purchase Plan B. As a precaution, those girls 17 and younger can inquire with their healthcare provider about obtaining a prescription for EC to have just in case an emergency occurs. This way, these girls will already have the prescription to use immediately and will not need to wait to get a medical appointment.
Effectiveness: In general, emergency contraception is meant to be a backup birth control method. It is not as effective as the correct and consistent use of other reversible prescription contraceptives. Additionally, EC does not continue to prevent pregnancy during the rest of the reproductive cycle, so other birth control methods must be used.
STD Protection: none of the types of emergency contraception offer protection from sexually transmitted infections. Women who need emergency contraception may be at risk of these infections.
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