Contraceptives sex Fertility

Types of Birth Control

Contraceptives include primary and secondary forms. Although both decrease the possibility of pregnancy,
primary forms have a lower chance of failure. Other forms are also available, but are less reliable than primary or secondary types.

Primary forms include:

• Female tubal sterilization ("tube tying")
• Male vasectomy
• Intrauterine device
• combination birth control pills
• skin patches
• shots
• under-the-skin implants
• vaginal ring

Secondary forms include:

• diaphragm
• cervical cap
• male latex condom

Others:

• vaginal sponge (contains spermicide)
• female condoms
• cervical shield

Natural family planning

• Mucus method: checking cervical mucus consistency to ascertain fertility
• Symptothermal method: checking daily temperature to ascertain fertility; effectiveness requires (a) training from a natural family planning specialist and (b) strict adherence to method
• Fertility awareness; involves calcuating days of the month when one is most fertile and avoiding sex on these days. However, this method does not account for natural changes in one's menstrual cycles, and thus, may result in pregnancy.
• Withdrawal; even if one's partner withdraws before ejaculation, sperm may leak during intercourse and result in pregnancy.