To control our population and keep it healthy and stable, we must first understand the numbers. Around eighteen percent of women between the ages of fifteen and forty-four use some form of contraception. That means that eighty-two percent do not; this is mainly due to ignorance or lack of availability. The reality is that these numbers need to be flipped. Most women should be using birth control, and education regarding this issue needs to be more widespread.
Birth control is the only way most people can prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The benefits of its use far outweigh any negative connotations surrounding it. Birth control is not only about preventing unwanted pregnancy but also giving people the right to enjoy sex and prevent STDs. Birth control has other benefits: it can decrease cramps associated with menstruation, lessen acne outbreaks, and reduce the likelihood of cancers later in life. If you consider birth control, you should talk to a Boca Raton birth control specialist to understand the different options. We highlight some of them below:
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Hormonal Methods
There are three primary hormonal methods of birth control.
The first is the non-oral contraceptive pill, which contains estrogen and progestin. This works by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the lining of the uterus. It also causes lighter periods while continuing to trick your body into reverting to its normal menstrual cycle.
The other two methods are the contraceptive patch and the vaginal ring. The birth control patch is placed on your skin, where it continuously releases hormones into your body. It must be changed weekly for three weeks out of each month. Then you can take a week off to give yourself one period per month. The birth control ring is also placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones to prevent ovulation. It works similarly to the vaginal ring, but it can release more hormones than the transdermal patch due to its place inside your body.
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Sterilization
Sterilization is also an option for people who do not want to use birth control again. You can get your tubes tied, or your partner can get a vasectomy, which is the surgical removal of the tube that carries sperm. These are both very safe and effective ways to prevent pregnancy in the future.
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Intrauterine Devices
An IUD is a method of birth control that sits inside your uterus. There are two types of IUDs available today, which contain either copper or a synthetic hormone called progestin. Both can last for up to twelve years and prevent fertilization by changing the uterus lining, which doesn’t support implantation. IUDs are one of the most effective forms of birth control and can be removed at any time to allow for pregnancy.
To summarize, birth control has become a common topic as more and more people look for ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Standard birth control methods include hormonal options divided into non-oral contraception pills, contraceptive patches, and vaginal rings. Other standard options are sterilization and intrauterine devices.
