Here are nine common methods of birth control. You as a couple will have to sort through which one is most applicable along lines of personal sensitivities, health, and who takes responsibility. Withdrawal of the penis before ejaculation is not included as a method of birth control because of its ineffectiveness. There are millions of sperm in one ejaculation, and it takes only one to cause fertilization. Sperm are present in the seepage before ejaculation as well, and it is difficult to time the withdrawal exactly. Recognize that some of the failures of birth control are due to improper usage. Putting on a condom after thrusting has begun is like practicing the withdrawal method with sperm already present in the vagina.
I have abbreviated this section knowing that you can get more information through your physician or the Internet as needed, but here are the common methods of birth control. Obviously, none of these methods will be effective unless carefully followed. Birth control can either dump on your sex life or you can learn to manage it gracefully. The different types are as follows：
1. Rhythm or natural method. This method is based on the fact that pregnancy occurs during ovulation, when the sperm meets the egg If you are trying to keep from getting pregnant, you will not want to have intercourse during the time of ovulation. Sperm live approximately two days and the female egg one day unless fertilized. Four methods are used to predict ovulation and gauge a “safe” period of time for intercourse. The first uses the calendar and considers that ovulation occurs around fourteen days before the onset of the menstrual flow. The second way of determining ovulation is through the woman's charting her temperature upon awakening. The third method involves observing the cervical mucus and learning the natural changes in its consistency near the time of ovulation. The fourth involves the test that can chemically detect if ovulation is occurring.
The rhythm method poses no health risk and does not include apparatus to dampen spontaneity. It does put a damper on intercourse during a significant part of the month. Before excluding this method, take the time to read a little about it.
2.Hormonal interventions. Birth control pills contain the synthetic hormone estrogen or progestin or a combination of the two. The pills alter the body's hormone balance and (a) prevent the ovaries from ovulating, (b) change the consistency of the cervical mucus, and (c) change the consistency of the fallopian tubes and the uterus. An advantage of the pill is that it does not interfere with naturalness. A couple can make love as the mood strikes. The pill, if properly used, has a high success rate of preventing pregnancy, although nothing is foolproof, it also can have side effects of weight gain and dampening of sexual desire, so keep consulting with your physician. Progesterone is also utilized with Norplant, which is inserted under the skin and can last up to five years. The Nuva Ring is inserted in the vagina much as a diaphragm with progesterone for three weeks. It is taken out during the menstrual cycle. These last two methods absorb the progesterone into the body and by-pass the liver unlike oral contraception.
3.Condoms. Condom use is a method of birth control that the husband can take responsibility for. Here are some important instructions:
•Put the condom on before approaching the vagina, and be careful not to get seepage on the outside of the condom.
•Use a new condom for every ejaculation or act of intercourse—this prevents seepage or breakage with sperm in the condom.
•Withdraw the penis before the erection is fully lost, and above all, hold the condom as you withdraw the penis to prevent its slipping off.
An advantage of condoms is that they are easily available and effective if properly used, perhaps in conjunction with a spermicidal jelly, a disadvantage is that some men and women dislike the reduced sensation in the penis or the vagina. Condoms and other methods of birth control like a diaphragm can be incorporated into your lovemaking. The wife can help create a romantic mood by unrolling the condom on her husband's penis as part of the loveplay.
4.Female condom. Female condoms are not a new concept but have more recently been brought back on the market. Like the male condom, it is made of a thin, strong latex and is a sheath. The female variety has a flexible ring at each end and is inserted into the vagina before intercourse. The rings keep it in place and it creates a protective lining in the vagina to contain the penis and sperm. The instructions for the male condom apply also to the female condom. Any barrier method loses some of the spontaneity.
5.Diaphragm and cervical cap. A diaphragm and a cervical cap are round rubber devices with a covered metal rim. Each is inserted into the vagina with spermicidal jelly, foam, or suppository as a barrier against the sperm swimming into the cervix and uterus. The diaphragm is inserted in the vagina behind the pubic bone and holds the spermicide over the cervix. The cervical cap is a smaller version of the diaphragm and covers only the cervix. A diaphragm or a cap needs to be fitted and prescribed by a gynecologist. Its advantage (like the sponge) is that it is easy to use and can be inserted pricer to making love.
6.Spermicidal sponge. Available over the counter, the spermicidal sponge is dampened with water before insert-ing it into the vagina. This action releases the spermicidal foam. The sponge acts as a barrier, and it has spermicide to counteract impregnation. Like any barrier method, it is still somewhat intrusive and has to be prepared for ahead of time.
7.Intrauterine devices. The intrauterine device is a small coil or loop inserted into the uterus. Once inserted, it can be left in place for a year or more. It works by causing the uterus to reject the fertilized egg, so for some couples, this might violate personal ethics. The IUD is long-term and effective and does not have the mess of the barrier meth-ods. But some IUDs have caused infections in the uterus and must be used with caution. For some women, they are still effective when used under a physician’s care.
8.Spermicidal foam Jelly, and suppository. These chemicals are inserted into the vagina and kill the sperm, but some women have to experiment to find ones that don’t cause an allergic reaction. The spermicides can be used alone as a method of birth control, but this is not recommended. They are much more effective if used with a condom or a diaphragm.
9.Vasectomy or tubal ligation. A vasectomy is a fairly simple office procedure in which the physician makes a small incision in the scrotal sac and a portion of each vas deferens is cut off and the ends are tied. Sperm are prevented from swimming from the testicles to the seminal fluid. A vasectomy does not alter ejaculation or the presence of semen and does not interfere with hormones and sexual desire.
The procedure is nearly 100 percent effective—but only if done properly. Occasionally, a tube will come untied and heal back, but that is very rare. Vasectomy should be considered irreversible and be done only as a permanent form of birth control. Surgical procedures may reverse a vasectomy, but they are not always effective. After a vasectomy, at least two sperm counts in the following months are taken to be certain that all sperm is out of the system and intercourse is safe without risk of pregnancy.
A tubal ligation is a hospital procedure and more complex than a vasectomy. Like a vasectomy, this method should be seen as irreversible and done only when no more children are desired. In this procedure, the female tubes are tied or cut and sutured to prevent the egg from meeting with the sperm. This is accomplished through a small incision in the abdomen. The advantage of a vasectomy or tubal ligation is its permanence. It is perhaps as foolproof as any method in preventing pregnancy. There are occasional complications from the surgery, but they are rare.
Many failures of any method of birth control are due to the improper and careless application of that method. This is not something you can afford to get sloppy about or take chances with. Pray that God will help you remain wise, careful, and disciplined in this area of your life. It's a necessary part of lovemaking and you can learn to gracefully adjust.
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