How to Avoid Pregnancy

The most effective ways to avoid pregnancy are to practice abstinence or to use contraceptives when participating in sexual activity. It's important to understand the correct use and effectiveness of contraception methods before becoming sexually active.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Practice abstinence. Avoiding sexual activity is the only guaranteed and foolproof way to prevent pregnancy. Always remember that the decisions you make about having sex can affect the rest of your life.
2. Research the wide range of available contraception methods. Understand that no contraceptives are completely failsafe, so there is always at least a small risk of pregnancy. It's also extremely important to remember that certain contraceptives, such as birth control medication, will not protect you from infection by sexually transmitted diseases.
3. Use condoms whenever you have sex. Condoms are generally made of latex and can only be used during one instance of sexual intercourse. Some condoms contain a product called spermicide, which is used as a barrier between the vagina and semen ejaculated during intercourse, killing the sperm that can cause pregnancy.
4. Consider a vasectomy if you are a man. A vasectomy is a form of male sterilization that is done through a relatively minor surgical operation. This operation prevents the sperm from leaving the male's body, while still allowing him to have normal erections and ejaculations.
5. Talk to your doctor about getting a diaphragm if you are a woman, as a prescription and sizing by a medical professional is necessary. A diaphragm is a small flexible rubber disc that is used with spermicide and inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix and create a barrier for the semen. Use of a diaphragm requires insertion for about 6 hours after sexual intercourse, but it should not be worn longer than 24 hours.
6. Use oral contraceptives, such as the birth control pill, which prevent ovulation to avoid pregnancy. These contraceptives must be prescribed by your doctor and should be taken every day. Some women experience side effects like headaches, nausea, depression and weight gain from taking these hormones.
7. Have a contraceptive device implanted into your body by a doctor, such as an intrauterine device, or IUD, which is inserted into the uterus. These implants last between 5 to 10 years and are proven to be very effective at preventing pregnancy, though some women experience abnormal bleeding or cramps as a result.

Tips & Warnings

• Condoms must be used properly to effectively prevent infection by sexually transmitted diseases. Read the instructions included on how to properly put on the condom, which must be done before sexual intercourse begins.