Contraception

When used correctly, nursing can be a good form of birth control, but like any method of birth control, it is not fool-proof and may result in an unplanned pregnancy.

Levonorgestrel is a medication that contains a synthetic form of the female sex hormone progesterone. Sometimes called the morning-after pill, levonorgestrel is used to prevent pregnancy after...

The birth control sponge is a foam sponge treated with spermicide that is inserted into the vagina prior to sexual intercourse. It is a reasonably effective form of birth control but does not...

Switching from one method of birth control to another requires some planning and the guidance of an OB/GYN. Once you have decided to change contraception methods, you need to be sure to do it...

Using birth control offers men and women many benefits. Properly used birth control that works well allows men and women to enjoy sexual intercourse, avoid sexually transmitted disease and plan...

A vasectomy is a means of male birth control. The vasectomy is an outpatient surgical procedure. During surgery, a man's vas deferens is tied off. Most vasectomies are effective and allow men to...

Each year millions of men and women use a variety of birth control methods to prevent unwanted pregnancies with measurable success. As with any medicine or device, there are risks that it will not...

Birth control pills are also known as oral contraceptives and provide a woman's body with a daily supply of the female hormones estrogen and progestin. These hormones prevent pregnancy by stopping...

Spontaneous abortion, also called a miscarriage, is loss of pregnancy during the first 20 weeks of gestation. Over 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and some women experience a...

Modern medicine has certainly revolutionized birth control methods, but it was not the front runner in contraception. Prior to the marvels of medical science, men and women had to practice natural...

Contraception has an ancient and at times bizarre history. In addition to spermicides like lemon juice and vinegar, and barriers like sea sponges and soft wool, women throughout history have...

You should never wear more than one condom at once. This creates friction in between the two condoms, greatly increasing the risk that one or both of the condoms will break. Wearing two condoms is...

Because birth control delivers large amounts of hormones into the body, it is common to experience some changes when you stop taking it. There are no proven long-term effects to discontinuing the...

The "day after pill" can prevent pregnancy. It is provided by pharmacies to women who have not used contraception during sexual activity that could result in pregnancy, or if contraception methods...

The issues surrounding birth control methods and abortion continue to generate controversy. For this reason, obtaining clear, unbiased facts about the connection between the two can be difficult.

When choosing to use condoms or oral contraceptives there are many factors to consider. The method that works for a friend might not be the right one for you. When you have information on both...

Contraceptive pills are one of several birth control methods available on the market. First-time users should familiarize themselves with the correct way of using the pill to prevent pregnancy.

Many women use a variety of birth control methods that are reliably effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies. However, different methods come with health risks. When you know more about these,...

The NuvaRing is a contraceptive device that rests inside the vagina against the cervix and distributes hormones that prevent the user from becoming pregnant. The NuvaRing is removed at the end of...

Birth control pills stabilize your uterus by providing a constant and steady flow of hormones to ensure that bleeding doesn't occur. Spacer pills are taken for the days that you have your period....

Birth control consists of any number of methods by which pregnancy is prevented. According to Planned Parenthood, there are many types of birth control with varying degrees of effectiveness....

A birth control sponge is a small, foam device placed in the vagina before sex. This birth control method is also called the contraceptive sponge. Only one birth control sponge, the Today Sponge,...

Mirena and NuvaRing are two types of female birth control that are available only with a prescription. Mirena is intended for women who have already given birth while NuvaRing is intended for any...

Activella ocp is a type of prescription oral contraceptive or birth control pill. Although effective at preventing pregnancy, Activella ocp is more commonly used during menopause.

Oral contraception and birth control shots are about equally effective, but neither provides protection against sexually transmitted diseases. When you know more about each method, you can make an...

When a man undergoes a successful vasectomy, it permanently prevents pregnancy. A vasectomy closes off the tubes that carry sperm. After vasectomy, the man continues to produce sperm, but it never...

The birth-control exam is a medical examination performed on women to determine her overall health and to decide which birth-control method is best for her and her needs.

The morning after pill is a heavy does of hormones that work to prevent pregnancy. Once you know how the pill works and that it is safe for women, you can decide if its something that is ever...

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, only half of pregnancies in the United States are planned. If people correctly use birth control, they can cut down the risk...

Across the globe, more than 100 million women take some form of birth control pill. Once you know some of the adverse reactions of oral contraceptives, such as stomach problems, you can determine...

Oral contraceptives are hormone pills taken to prevent pregnancy. Since 1961 when birth control pills became available, millions of women have taken them every year. Due to the number of benefits...

There are two types of abortion, spontaneous (miscarriage) and induced. These can happen through medicines or surgery. With the accidental pregnancy rate on the rise, induced abortion is becoming...

NuvaRing, a hormonal method of birth control inserted into the vagina monthly, promises more convenience than a daily birth-control pill. NuvaRing boasts 99 percent effectiveness at preventing...

Today, women have many safe and effective birth control methods available to them. People have used some from of birth control methods for thousands of years. All who need birth control want to...

Contraceptive foam contains a chemical called nonoxynol-9 that kills sperm. This method of birth control is easy to obtain, doesn't require a prescription and is effective at preventing pregnancy...

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is an oral contraceptive. It has side effects that vary with different people. While it's possible that some women may gain weight with this pill, it's not guaranteed. A...

Birth control pills work by preventing a woman's body from releasing an egg, the process known as ovulation. According to WebMD, within six months of stopping use of the pill, your body returns to...

Implant contraception is a matchstick-sized rod surgically placed in a woman's arm that releases a synthetic progestin thus preventing ovulation. Although contraceptive implants are considered...

Oral contraceptives, commonly known as birth-control pills, are the most popular method of birth control in the United States. Although there are many different brands, oral contraceptives...

Birth control involves taking active steps to avoid pregnancy from sexual intercourse. There are many methods available including temporary and permanent methods.

If you are planning to stop taking birth control pills in order to get pregnant, it may take awhile before your hormones readjust to their natural rhythm. There are also occasional side effects...

Keeping track of your basal body temperature can be very helpful for many different reasons. The main reason for tracking your basal body temperature is to become familiar with your cycle. By...

The intrauterine device---IUD---is a T-shaped plastic form of contraceptive that can last for up to 12 years. According to Planned Parenthood, the IUD is extremely effective and it reduces the...

If you are ready to discontinue taking your birth control pills, many specialists agree that it is best to wean yourself off of them slowly. A gradual decline in the amount of birth control...

According to researchers at Oregon State University's School of Public Health, weight gain is one of the most worrisome side effects of birth control for women considering contraception. For women...

Contraception is the avoidance of pregnancy using pharmaceutical intervention or barrier devices. Sexually active people may refrain from using contraception for a number of reasons ranging from...

Progesterone is often used as part of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. However, progesterone treatment is also effective for women of childbearing age who wish to induce...

There are a number of herbs that can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control methods that rely on hormonal manipulation. All oral birth control methods fall into this category as they...

Yaz is an oral contraceptive used for birth control, premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and acne. It uses an artificial hormone to regulate a woman's period and to balance...

Abstinence is the only form of birth control that is always effective, but a variety of birth control methods exist. For birth control to prevent pregnancy it must be used as directed, but even...