Birth Control Options for Women - Introduction

Introduction

Contraceptives are devices or methods for preventing pregnancy, either by preventing the fertilization of the female egg by the male sperm or by preventing implantation of the fertilized egg. Contraceptives are not modern inventions. The first prescription for a contraceptive device described a tampon barrier device and was written on papyrus in 1550 BC.

Contraceptive Options

Choosing the appropriate contraceptive varies from individual to individual. Contraceptive options include:

• Hormonal contraceptives (oral contraceptives, skin patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection)
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs), which contain either a hormone or copper
• Barrier devices with or without spermicides (diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, condom)
• Natural family planning methods (basal body temperature, cervical mucus, symptothermal)
• Female sterilization (tubal ligation, Essure)

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Determining Effectiveness

Contraceptive effectiveness is characterized by "typical use" and "perfect use":

• Typical use refers to real-life conditions, in which mistakes (such as forgetting to take a birth control pill at the right time) sometimes happen
• Perfect use refers to contraceptives that are used correctly each time intercourse occurs

Research has shown that the four most effective standard female contraceptives are surgical sterilization, the IUD, implants, and injections. They all have an estimated failure rate of less than 1% during the first year of normal (typical) use. Vasectomy (male surgical sterilization) is the only male contraceptive that is equally effective. By comparison, the estimated failure rate of the male latex condom used without spermicide is 14% with typical use and 3% with perfect use. To put these rates into perspective, a sexually active woman of reproductive age who does not use contraception faces an 85% likelihood of becoming pregnant in the course of a year.