Everything You Need To Know About Contraceptives for Women

Contraceptives can help you prevent pregnancy. The most well-known contraceptive is a condom. However, there are many other contraceptives for women that you can explore as well.

How do contraceptives for women work?

Most contraceptives for women do one of the following:

• Prevent the release of the egg
• Create a barrier between the sperm and egg
• Prevent fertilized eggs from being implanted

The effectiveness of contraceptives relies on correct usage. You’ll find 5 contraceptives mentioned below along with how they should be used.

The Pill

Contraceptive pills for women are quite popular. These come in two variants. The first combines oestrogen and progestin. The second only has progestin. These birth control pills for women must be taken every day. Certain pills require that they be taken at the same time every day. This time cannot be exceeded by three hours, and if it does then you will not get the desired result. Such pills to prevent pregnancy are considered 99% effective. If you are not sure about which birth control pills to take, you can consult a doctor on MediBuddy and find out.

Birth Control Implants

Birth control implants are small, matchstick-sized implants inserted in your arm but are considered 99% effective. They release hormones that prevent pregnancy. They can work effectively for up to 5 years. Moreover, if you decide you want to get pregnant, you can get the implant removed.

IUDs

IUD stands for intrauterine devices and are considered 99% effective. It is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Copper IUDs are quite common. Another variant is hormone IUDs – which release hormones that prevent pregnancy. An IUD lasts between 3-12 years. It can also be used as emergency contraception.

Birth Control Shots

Birth Control Shots are injections. These contraceptives for women are administered every 3 months. They prevent ovulation. As a result, there is nothing for the sperm to fertilize. They are considered 94% effective.

Vaginal Rings

Vaginal rings are inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. They release oestrogen and progestin to help prevent fertilization. These rings must be replaced every month. They are considered 91% effective. In addition to these methods, birth control sponges, spermicides, and female condoms are other options that can be considered. It is important to note that none of these prevent sexually transmitted diseases. If that is a concern, then you must use a condom every time you have sex.

What can you gain from going to a family planning centre?

Contrary to popular belief, birth control is not only used by unmarried couples. Married couples looking to structure their lives can also use it. A family planning centre offers guidance for the same. If you and your spouse want to put off having kids until a certain point in your life, you can visit a family planning centre near your area.Make sure you ask the doctors the following questions:

• What is the best contraceptive method for me?

Sometimes, medical histories can render certain methods ineffective. It is always better to confirm whether certain methods are right for you. You can also rule out certain methods on the basis of lifestyle, allergies and so on. For example, if you feel that you’ll forget to take a pill every day, you can rule out birth control pills. You can consider implants and IUDs instead.

• Emergency contraception: Many confuse emergency contraception with regular birth control pills. As the name suggests, these can only be taken for emergencies. This is because they prevent pregnancy by kick-starting your period. This is done to flush out the egg. Using emergency contraception regularly can lead to hormonal imbalance. Ideally, you should not use this more than 1-2 times a year.

• How to plan for a child? Family planning centres can help couples identify when they should have a child. Of course, no one call pinpoint the right time. However, they can help you identify milestones you want to reach in life before having a child.

Couples can gain a lot by practising birth control. By ensuring that you and your spouse only have a child when you are ready, you can ensure a great family life. Your finances, emotional stability, job constraints, and other needs can impact your readiness to have a child. Bringing a child into the world is a huge responsibility. By choosing to practise birth control, you can have a child when you are ready and not feel forced. If you are not ready to have children, then contraceptives for women are an absolute must-have. [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult a Gynaecologist on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello'] Every contraceptive must be tried only after consulting a health expert. Consider consulting a gynaecologist on MediBuddy to find out if your body is in good shape for any contraceptive.   [/av_promobox]