Contraception is the use of a method to prevent pregnancy. It involves the use of different products, like condoms or birth control pills. Contraceptive methods are essential for people who do not want to become pregnant, those who cannot have children because of health problems, and even women who have been raped.

What Is Contraception?

Contraception is used by people as a way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Many contraceptive methods are available, and both men and women can use them.

Contraceptive methods include barrier and hormonal procedures, such as IUDs or injections. These methods don’t always work immediately. Some take up to two weeks before they start performing well enough to keep you from getting pregnant.

But even if you don’t use contraception ideally every single time you have sex, these methods help reduce the risk of pregnancy overall, so it’s worth learning more about them. That’s why almost 90% of females aged 18-64 use contraception in the US.

Different Types of Contraception Methods

There are several different types of contraception, each with pros and cons. Some methods are more effective, while others may better suit certain people.

Here are some types of commonly used contraception methods.

Condoms

Condoms are the only form of contraception that also protect against STIs. Hence, they are the most commonly used method of contraception. According to market analysis by Fortune Business Insights, the US condom market was valued at $437.01 million in 2022. Condoms are available in a variety of different sizes and shapes, as well as being made from different materials.

Some people prefer latex condoms because they’re easy to find at pharmacies and grocery stores. In contrast, others may choose lambskin condoms because they’re more natural.

Condoms can be used during any kind of intercourse. They should be put on before genital contact occurs and removed immediately after ejaculation to prevent pregnancy, as well as STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea that can live on semen even after it has dried up.

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

You may have heard that IUDs are contraception, but you might not know precisely how they work or what makes them so effective. An IUD is a long-term method of birth control that can be placed by a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional. The device goes inside your uterus and stops sperm from reaching the egg to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

IUDs come in two types, which are hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal IUDs release small amounts of levonorgestrel into your body daily to thicken cervical mucus. Hence, it’s difficult for sperm to travel through it while suppressing ovulation.

Non-hormonal devices contain copper. This creates an inflammatory response similar to what happens during your period, which keeps sperm from entering the uterus, and makes it more difficult for an egg to implant itself in the uterus wall if conception occurs.

Copper IUDs like the ones manufactured by Paragard are said to have adverse side effects due to device malfunction, like broken products, infection, defects, etc. Hence, Paragard has been associated with numerous health problems.

According to TorHoerman Law, these health concerns include internal bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), organ damage, infertility, etc. Due to such health concerns, many people have been filing a Paragard lawsuit against the manufacturer.

The lawsuit alleges that the device manufacturer didn’t inform the users about the potential damages. The number of Paragard lawsuit cases has been increasing constantly over the past years. Data shows that around 1,800 Paragard IUD lawsuits were filed until April 2023. If you have faced health concerns after using Paragard IUDs, you can also find a lawyer and file your case for compensation.

Diaphragms

A diaphragm is a contraceptive barrier device that covers the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. It’s inserted into the vagina before sex and used with spermicidal cream or jelly, which kills any sperm that may have gotten past it.

Diaphragms are made of latex or silicone, which is more effective at blocking sperm than latex due to its tighter fit around your cervix. You can get a prescription from your doctor or buy them over-the-counter at pharmacies and supermarkets. They’re reusable, but you’ll need new ones yearly as they become less effective. If you decide on this method, know what size fits best before purchasing one.

Contraceptive Patch

The contraceptive patch is a thin, clear patch on your skin once a week. It works by releasing hormones into your body. You stick it to the skin on the top of your arm, hip, or back and leave it there for seven days. However, contraceptive patches are only around 90% effective. Data shows 7-9 women out of 100 get pregnant, even after using contraceptive patches annually.

Vasectomy

A vasectomy is a permanent contraception that involves cutting the tubes carrying sperm. A doctor will do this procedure in his or her office, usually with local anesthesia.

After the vasectomy, you’ll need to use another method of birth control until your semen has been checked by your doctor and found to be free of sperm. This usually takes about three months after surgery. However, it can take longer for some men than others, depending on how quickly their bodies clear out all traces from their system.

The effectiveness rate is higher than female sterilization at 99 percent because there’s no way for sperm to get into your body after this procedure has been done successfully. But it has some downsides, such as cost and potential side effects, such as pain during ejaculation or intercourse.

Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant. Put simply, it blocks the path of sperm to reach an egg, thereby preventing pregnancy. This procedure is done by a surgeon who makes an incision in your abdomen and inserts surgical instruments to cut and tie your tubes.

Tubal ligation can also be done with laparoscopic surgery, where small incisions are made on your belly button or upper thigh area. Then through these incisions, cameras are inserted into different parts of your body so they can see what they’re doing while making cuts and tying off tubes inside them.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you understand contraception methods and how they work. If you want more information on what type of contraception might be right for you, check out our other articles here on our website or visit a doctor who can help determine which method will work best for your situation.