How to prevent pregnancy?

You can prevent pregnancy by using a number of contraceptive methods. If you want to avoid pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), using a condom is the ideal method for you. Condom is the only form of birth control that can protect you from both. Here is a list of ways to prevent pregnancy:

1. Withdrawal method or Pull Out method

The pull-out method is one of the oldest methods of birth control. In this method, a penis owner withdraws their penis right before they are about to ejaculate. However, this is also the least reliable method of birth control, with a failure rate of more than 20%, which means one in five people who use this method becomes pregnant in a year!1

2. Timed intercourse

Timed intercourse is another age-old birth control method. In this method, women have unprotected sex on days when they are not ovulating. Pregnancy is, therefore, theoretically avoided. However, the truth is that the time of ovulation is difficult to predict. Even apps that predict ovulation i.e. ovulation trackers are not fool-proof. Therefore, if you are trying to avoid getting pregnant, there is no “safe” time of the month to have unprotected sex. Also, if a woman has a shorter menstrual cycle (for example, 23 days), unprotected sex during her period could increase her risk of becoming pregnant.

3. Long-acting reversible contraceptives

The most reliable method of birth control is long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. A few examples are contraceptive injections, implants, intrauterine systems, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

As the name indicates, intrauterine devices (IUDs) are placed inside the uterus. They require a doctor’s appointment to insert in a relatively quick and easy process. Once inserted in the body, they can be kept inside for about ten years. Copper-T IUD is the most popular intrauterine device (IUD). The intrauterine system (IUS) is another device which releases a small dose of hormones inside the uterus to the ovaries to prevent pregnancy. The contraceptive implant also functions similarly to prevent pregnancy. All these methods have a 99% accuracy rate in preventing pregnancy.

4. Hormonal contraceptive pills, patches, and rings

Progesterone and estrogen are the hormones that help you get your period and become pregnant, but they are taken in extremely high doses to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills prevent ovulation. They contain very very small concentrations of progestin (the synthetic version of progesterone) or estrogen alone. Therefore, you cannot become pregnant if you do not ovulate. Birth control pills must be used consistently for 21 days without missing a dose by taking them at a specific time each day. The vaginal ring and hormonal patches both function similarly to prevent pregnancy. One should wear patches for 21 days. They are eliminated for seven days before switching to a new patch. Similarly, vaginal rings are worn for 21 days before being removed and replaced for another seven days.

If you use hormonal methods, you should take the following safety precautions:

• You should take the pill at the same time each day. If you take the pill too early or too late, it may disrupt your hormonal balance. Due to this, the effectiveness of the pill can reduce.
• Do not miss any doses. If you skip a day, your birth control becomes less effective.
• If you forget to take a pill, do so right away. If you forget to take the pill one day, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss two days, take both pills simultaneously or at different times during the day. If you forget a placebo day, throw away the non-hormonal pill and resume your regular routine.

Replace the ring or skin patch on time. You cannot prevent pregnancy if you do not change your ring or skin patch.

5. Using condoms correctly to prevent pregnancy

As previously mentioned, condoms are the only method of birth control that prevents pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are two kinds of condoms: those that can be worn on the penis (male condoms) and those that can be inserted into the vagina (female condoms).

Takeaway

To help in preventing conception, a variety of contraceptive methods are available, ranging from barrier methods to hormonal pills, patches, and IUDs. Different ways may work better for different people. Before you find a method of contraception that works for you, you can try a few other ones. Different contraceptive methods have varying degrees of effectiveness. Sexually active people should explore their options with their doctor in order to decide which approach is best for them. Finally, remember that only male and female condoms work to prevent STIs.