Quick Guide to Contraception
A Quick Guide to Contraception
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Quick Guide to Contraception |
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Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 11:56 PM |
Introduction to Contraception
Someday, you may want to have a baby. It may be when you're 18, 28, or even 38. Or you may never want to have a child. Any parent will tell you that a baby will bring unimaginable joy to your life (and, of course, sleepless nights, screaming and dirty diapers) but pregnancy should happen when you are ready. For now, it's a good idea to use contraception to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, until you're sure you want and are ready to have a baby.
Sex is such an amazing experience, so the last thing you want in the back of your head is, "oh God, what will I do if we get pregnant." That's right - we. Contraception is a shared responsibility of both partners. And remember, it only takes one "oops" to get pregnant.
So, make sure you find a contraception method that works best for you and your partner.
There's a lot more to contraception than just condoms and the Pill. For a lot of couples, these two are the obvious choice; they're effective, safe and pretty easy to use. But these days, there are literally dozens of options to choose from. There's even some exciting and highly effective new methods like the Patch or the vaginal ring.
Once you've found which contraception you and your partner like best, make sure to use it on a regular basis...and don't forget to use condoms to protect you from sexually transmitted infections.
The best way to protect yourself from pregnancy and from sexually transmitted infections (that you or your partner may not know you have) is to use a dual method of protection. that means using a male or female condom (yes, there are female condoms) along with another method of contraception.
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception.aspx Methods of Contraception
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-2.aspx
The oral contraceptive pill, the contraceptive injection, the vaginal contraceptive ring, and the contraceptive patch are effective methods of contraception that may be a good option for teenagers. Don't forget about dual protection. Use a condom as well to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Click on the contraceptive method to learn more!
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About 100 million women all over the world rely on the Pill. It's one of the world's most prescribed medications.
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A small contraceptive patch that sticks to a woman's skin and releases hormones into her bloodstream.
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An injectable contraceptive containing the hormone progestin that interferes with a woman's menstrual cycle.
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The vaginal ring is a new and highly effective birth control method that is now available in Canada.
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The IUS provides contraception for up to five years and is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
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Inserted into the uterus, this small T-shaped device changes the chemistry in the uterus, destroying sperm.
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The male condom is made of latex and is rolled over a guy's penis to block sperm from entering the vagina.
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The female condom works just like a male condom, and is worn inside a girl's vagina during sex.
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These other contraception methods are either less effective or permanent, so they may not be right for teens. But they are something you might want to consider if you think the Pill, patch, ring, or injection aren't the right choices for you. Some of them also make a great second type of birth control to use with condoms.
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The disposable sponge containing spermicide is placed at the cervix and absorbs and destroys sperm.
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A latex cap that covers a girl's cervix and stops sperm from getting inside.
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A deep latex cap that fits against a girl's cervix and prevents sperm and bacteria from entering.
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A soft, silicone device is inserted into the vagina in front of the cervix, to prevent sperm from entering.
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Permanent surgery to disconnect the fallopian tubes, which transport the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
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Permanent surgery to block a man's sperm duct and prevents sperm from entering the ejaculate.
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In this method, a guy withdraws his penis from a girl's vagina before ejaculation.
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A chemical called nonoxynol-9 comes in many forms and can destroy sperm on contact.
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Emergency Contraception after Sex
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-1.aspx
You get caught up in the heat of the moment, and have sex without contraception. Or maybe the condom breaks. Regardless how it happens, unprotected sex opens the door to the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy.
But you're not completely out of options. There is still emergency contraception (EC), and unlike other forms of contraception, EC can be used AFTER intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
You have two types of EC methods to choose from:
o Hormonal EC methods (‘’the morning after pill’’)
+ a special formulation called Plan B® (progestin-only method)
+ a special formulation called NorLevo® (progestin-only method)
+ a series of four contraceptive pills called the Yuzpe method (combined estrogen and progestin)
o A copper intrauterine device (copper IUD) inserted by a health-care professional and available by prescription only
After unprotected sex, you have a window of 5 days to use EC pills (up to 7 days for the copper IUD), although the sooner you use it, the better it works.
The methods come with clear and simple instructions, and up to 99 per cent of women who use them are able to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. Of course, many of these women would not have been pregnant in the first place.
Emergency contraceptives work by delaying or inhibiting the release of an egg (ovulation), altering the luteal phase length, and also possibly inhibiting the implantation of a fertilized egg. In the unlikely event that implantation does occur, EC does not interrupt the pregnancy or put the fetus at risk.
It can prevent an unplanned pregnancy in the following situations:
* No contraception was used
* Missed birth control pills, patch, or ring
* The condom slipped, broke, or leaked
* The diaphragm or cervical cap is dislodged during sexual intercourse or was removed too early
* Error in the calculation of the fertility period
* Non-consensual sexual intercourse (sexual assault)
EC is very safe, but it can cause side-effects such as nausea or vomiting. These effects are much less common with progestin-only methods (Plan B® or NorLevo®) than with the Yuzpe method. If you vomit within an hour of taking EC, you'll need to retake the dose.
How to get it
EC is easy to find because it is now available directly in the pharmacy without a prescription in most provinces. You can also contact the nearest health centre in your area, your own doctor, a walk-in clinic, or the nearest birth control/sexual health clinic. The cost varies depending on which EC you use and where you get it. It may be a good idea to obtain the product in advance to have on hand if an emergency occurs. Remember that emergency contraception is intended for occasional use only; you shouldn't rely on EC as your primary method of birth control. It's less effective than regular contraceptive methods and offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
PLEASE CONTACT NORTHWESTERN HEALTH UNIT if you need EC! please call 1-800-830-5978, and your call will be directed accordingly.
What's the Best Choice for Me?
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-3.aspx
There is no "best choice" birth control that works for everyone. You have to decide what will work best for you. Look at the options, and decide on what you think is best. Rembember, you can always switch methods later if you're not happy with your choice.
Let's face it, high schools are pretty tight-knit places where many teenagers do a lot of sexual exploring, so you probably want to think about protecting yourself from STIs too. In fact, it's not really uncommon to hear about "outbreaks" of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) hitting just one high school! The only effective way to protect against STIs is by using condoms (male or female).
Some contraception choices usually aren't great ideas for teenagers. You might want to have kids later in life, so surgeries like vasectomy or tubal ligation (getting your tubes "tied") are probably out. You might also want to think about doubling-up protection during sex, so you're protected from pregnancy and STIs. If you're healthy, a really popular choice for your age is to take the Pill to protect against pregnancy and use condoms to protect against STIs. Condoms by themselves can prevent pregnancy too, but aren't as effective as the Pill.
If you're having sex without a condom, you're putting yourself at risk of disease. Remember, you're still young, and some of these diseases can stick with you for your whole life. AIDS can even kill you, and others can make it impossible for you to ever have children.
Consider what works best for you and what works best for your partner. The more you use protection, the less risk you're running of pregnancy or STIs - if you only use protection "most of the time", you're just setting yourself up for an accident waiting to happen.
Talking about Contraception
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-4.aspxNo matter how old you are, tallking to your partner about sex isn't always easy. You'll probably feel better after you do though. If it's your first time together, it's a good way to get to know what you both expect, and if you have had sex before, you can talk about what you like and ways to make sex better.
But you'll probably want to talk about contraception too. It might seem like a mood-killer, but nothing will ruin sex faster than spending the whole time worrying about pregnancy or picking up some disease. It may feel awkward to talk openly at first, but in the end you'll both be glad that you did. And just think...wouldn't you rather have a talk about using condoms than the "whoops, I'm pregnant" talk? Or worse...get the "sorry, but I might have given you HIV" talk? Remember, your safety and health come first...do what you need to to make sure you're in control of it.
Try to talk about this before your first time - it's a good idea to make sure that your partner is committed to using protection before you hit the bed. If you don't, you could get pregnant on your very first time out. Also, some birth control methods like the Pill take time to become effective, so it helps to decide beforehand if this is the contraception for you.
A good way to prevent STIs and pregnancy is to use more than one type of contraception. The Pill is great for preventing pregnancy, but it won't stop you from getting STIs. No matter what contraceptive you use for pregnancy - you should probably still consider using condoms for STIs.
And girls, if you ever find yourself "rounding third base", but you haven't had the sex talk yet, it's still not too late. A lot of the time, a simple "go get a condom...I want to have sex" will do the trick. And you might want to keep your own stockpile, just in case he doesn't have one handy.
Because of the risks of pregnancy or disease, sex is a big responsibility. So, if you find that you're way too uncomfortable to talk about these things with your partner, think about this: Maybe it's a sign that you're not totally ready to have sex with them yet.
Contraception Myths and Realities
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-5.aspxIf you're like most people, you got your first bits of information about pregnancy and birth control not from doctors, but from your friends or other people your own age. You probably picked up some useful information in this way - but there's a lot of bad information floating around out there too. And these rumours don't die easily - some of them have been around for generations! So here's the real deal on some of the most common rumours, exaggerations and full-blown lies when it comes to contraception.
Myth #1: A girl can't get pregnant if she doesn't have an orgasm.
Pregnancy occurs when a man's sperm fertilizes a woman's egg. This can happen whether or not she has an orgasm.
Myth #2: A guy can't get a girl pregnant if he doesn't have an orgasm.
It's unlikely that a man will get a woman pregnant if he doesn't have an orgasm - or if he pulls out before he reaches orgasm - but it's certainly not impossible. Men often release a small amount of semen (cum) before they ejaculate. Sometimes this is called "pre-cum". This semen still contains sperm and can certainly get a woman pregnant.
Myth #3: A girl can't get pregnant when she has sex for the first time.
A woman who is ovulating can get pregnant on her very first time having sex, regardless of her age or her sexual history.
Myth #4: A girl can't get pregnant if she douches after sex.
Douching does very little to prevent conception. After sexual intercourse, the sperm enter the cervix where they are out of reach of any douching solution.
Myth #5: Pregnancy can't occur if people do it standing up or with the woman on top.
Positions make very little difference when it comes to getting pregnant. When a man deposits sperm into a woman's vagina, natural processes guide the sperm toward the woman's cervix and uterus - and whether she's on top, lying down or standing on her head really won't make much difference.
Myth #6: Pregnancy can't occur if a couple has sex only on the girl's "safe" days.
Since each woman's menstrual cycle is different, it's almost impossible to predict which days are "safe". Sperm can survive for several days in a woman's body, so a couple could have sex well before the woman ovulates and still run the risk of pregnancy.
Myth #7: The birth-control pill is effective as soon as you start taking it.
Depending on the day you start taking the pills, it might take up to one complete menstrual cycle before you can count on the Pill to prevent pregnancy. You should definitely rely on another method of birth control during this period.
Myth #8: The Pill can only be taken for a limited time.
In most healthy women, the Pill can be taken safely from puberty to menopause, and its effectiveness won't go down as they get older.
Myth #9: The Pill makes you fat.
Studies have found that today's low-dose oral contraceptives won't cause significant weight changes in most women.
Myth #10: The Pill causes cancer.
On the whole, the Pill actually lowers cancer risk. The Pill causes a slight increase in breast cancer in women under 35, but the risk is still tiny. More importantly, the Pill actually cuts the risk of both ovarian and uterine cancers by more than 50 per cent, a benefit that persists even after you stop taking it.
Myth #11: Contraceptive intrauterine devices (IUDs) causes infertility.
If a woman has a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the IUD can help to spread it into a woman's uterus and fallopian tubes, which could damage her future fertility. But this is only a problem if a woman already has an STI. As long as a woman doesn't get an STI, the IUD doesn't put her fertility at risk. For couples who don't have STIs and are in a long-term, monogamous relationship (a.k.a. they don't have sex with anyone but each other), the IUD is a very safe and effective form of contraception.
Myth #12: Contraceptives protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The only contraceptive that offers such protection is the condom. Even other barrier methods, such as the diaphragm, do nothing to keep bacteria out of the vagina, and the Pill and IUD offer no STI protection at all.
Controlling your periods with contraception
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-6.aspxIs your period supposed to start next week, at the same time as an upcoming event such as a wedding, holiday, sports competition, or exam? If you are using birth control methods such as the oral contraceptive pill, patch, or vaginal ring, you can delay your period until a more convenient time.
BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
Are you taking birth control pills in a 28-pill pack? To extend your cycle, finish taking the 21 active pills. Instead of taking the seven placebo (or sugar) pills, start a new pack immediately and continue on through the pack. This will have you taking six active pill weeks in a row. After the second pack of 21 active pills is done, continue to take the seven placebo pills and have a period that week.
Taking a 21-pill pack? After finishing the 21 pills, eliminate the pill-free week and start a new pack of pills right away. Finish this pack as well, making it six weeks of active pills. Once the second pack is done, take a pill-free week and have a period.
CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH OR VAGINAL RING
Using the patch or the vaginal ring? Once you have completed 21 days of either method (one ring or three patches), instead of having a week off and menstruating, continue immediately with another patch or ring. With the patch, you can add one, two, or three more extra weeks, depending on your schedule. For the vaginal ring, once the second three-week ring is done, remove it and have a ring-free week.
During the additional weeks of treatment, you may experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding. This is not harmful and the contraception effect will continue to work even if there is bleeding or spotting. Continue to take your contraceptive method according to the plan you and your health care provider have agreed upon.
Birth Control - We'll help you choose!
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-choosing.aspx
Pills or Patches? Condoms or Sponges?
With so many options available, making the right decisions about contraception can be a little overwhelming. Choosing Wisely is a FREE web software that asks questions about your health, medical history and lifestyle then provides the best contraceptive choices based on your answers.
You’ll be presented three contraceptive methods that are best suited to your answers, three options worth considering, and three options to avoid. You also have the option of printing these off so you can discuss them with your doctor.
The software was launched in the summer of 2007 at the Annual Clinical Meeting where it received rave reviews from health care professionals from around the world.
Click to launch the application
Contraceptive Comparison Chart
from: http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-comparisons.aspx
sexualityandu.ca’s contraception comparison chart lets you compare birth control methods side-by-side, helping you choose the contraceptive that’s right for you. Learn more about the options available in Canada by comparing their benefits, their disadvantages, how they work, and how effective they are at preventing pregnancy.
Choose the methods you’d like to compare from the list below:
