How To Choose A Method Of Contraception (Part I)
There are plenty of effective birth-control methods but there is no universal method of contraception, the one that would suit anyone. Each of methods of contraception has its advantages and disadvantages as well as contraindications, so you should be very careful when deciding what method of contraception to choose.
Birth-control method should be chosen with a doctor, but this is you who takes the decision what method of contraception to prefer.
The choice of a birth-control method depends on many factors, such as age, state of health, bad habits, childbirth and abortions.
Contraception for women before 19
Recommended
Condoms. Condom is the best contraceptive for teens. Usually a teen does not have a regular sex partner, this implies that he/she is at a high risk of getting infected with an STD. Condom is the only method of contraception that protects from STDs. This is the only contraceptive that protects from sexually transmitted diseases, it is not too expensive, it does not have contraindications and it is easy to use.
Combined birth control pills. Combined birth control pills can be used only provided 1) a girl has periods during 2 years b) her height is not less than 160 c) she does not have extra weight or some cardio-vascular diseases
World Health Organization recommends combined birth-control pills as these provide effective birth control and stability of the cycle
Progesterone only pills are not recommended because their effectiveness is slower and also these often cause side effects, such as inter menstrual bleeding.
Not recommended:
Intrauterine devices - these are not recommended to all women who don't have children
Natural methods - because of their ineffectiveness. These are especially ineffective if used by teens whose menstrual cycle is not stable yet.
Methods of contraception for women aged 19-35
Recommended
Hormonal contraceptives Usually women of this age are in stable sexual relationships, so they can use contraceptives with long-lasting effect, such as hormonal intrauterine devices and implants.
Combined birth-control pills and hormonal plasters are also a good choice as these, like all other hormonal contraceptives play an important role in prevention of such diseases as infertility, endometriosis and irregular menstrual cycle.
Condoms. Condoms are recommended to women who do not have a regular sex partner.
Not recommended
Natural birth-control methods. These can be used only by women with regular cycle and by those who do not exclude pregnancy
Sterilization. This is an irreversible method so it should not be used by young women.
Contraception for women aged 35-45
Main difficulties in choosing birth control method for middle-aged women are related to presence of some risk factors such as extra weight, smoking, some diseases.
Recommended
Hormonal contraceptives
Birth-control pills. Combined birth-control pills are preferable (provided there are not contraindications such as smoking)
Injections, implants The main advantage of these contraceptives is that these have a long lasting effect and unlike pills do not require self-control.
Sterilization. This can be a good alternative for you if you are sure you are not going to have more children.
Condoms. These can be used by people who do not have a regular sex partner or by those who consider this birth-control method to be the most effective. Also condoms suit those who have some contraindications to other birth-control methods.
Not recommended
Natural methods of contraception as these are ineffective especially at this age when menstrual cycle is very instable.