Birth Control: Forms, Options, Risks & Effectiveness, Information, Types

Birth Control is an act where an individual uses methods to prevent pregnancy. It involves various methods that help individuals to control their reproductive health and family size. There are several techniques, like hormonal methods, barrier methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and natural methods. Birth control helps in managing human reproduction by preventing unwanted pregnancy.

This Story also Contains

1. What is Birth Control?
2. Types of Birth Control Methods
3. Effectiveness of Birth Control Methods
4. Factors to Consider when Choosing Birth Control
5. Recommended Video on Birth Control
6. MCQs on Birth Control

In biology, birth control means using methods to stop reproduction and prevent pregnancy. Knowing these can guide a well-informed choice in reproductive health. Birth control methods prevent fertilsation in humans and implantation, which gives the choice of parenthood to couples.

What is Birth Control?

Birth control is a commonly known term that stands for "contraception." It refers to different ways and tools for preventing pregnancy, giving a person or a couple an opportunity and freedom to plan a family. It helps control their fertility according to their will to do so. It prevents the implantation or fertilisation process in humans. There are many methods of contraception, which will be elaborated on in the following points; therefore, making regard towards safe sex an informed choice.

Types of Birth Control Methods

Birth Control methods help individuals or couples plan if and when they want to conceive. They can also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in some cases. Birth control methods vary in their mode of action, duration of effectiveness, and reversibility. The details are given below:

Barrier Methods

Barrier methods prevent the structure of sperm from reaching the egg. Some of the commonly used barrier methods are

• Condoms: Condoms are available for men and women; condoms are efficient in preventing pregnancies and also protect from sexually transmitted diseases.

• Diaphragms: A diaphragm is a dome-shaped cup used in the vagina before intercourse, but it should be used with spermicide for better performance.

Hormonal methods of contraception

It changes the balance of the body's hormones to prevent ovulation. Some of the hormonal birth control methods are mentioned below:

• Birth Control Pills: Taken orally daily, the tablets inhibit ovulation, and birth control pills can also help a female to regulate their menstrual cycle and eliminate painful menstrual cramps.

• Patches: Adhesive patches, impregnated with hormones, are applied transdermally; while they adhere or stick on the skin, hormones are absorbed across the skin into the bloodstream, consequently hindering ovulation.

• Injections: The hormonal shot is injected every three months, and it serves to prevent ovulation.

IUDs

IUDs are devices that are inserted into the uterus. These are long-term protection lasting 3–10 years.

• Hormonal IUDs: Release hormones to prevent fertilisation.

• Copper IUDs: Copper ions create a hostile environment for sperm.

Natural methods

This involves tracking the cycle of fertility in women. This comprises:

• Rhythm Method: These include abstinence and the rhythm method, where intercourse is avoided during a woman's fertile period. A woman is fertile for 9 days each month, starting 5 days before ovulation and lasting 3 days after.

• Coitus Interruptus: The penis is withdrawn before ejaculation. It is less reliable due to possible sperm in pre-ejaculate.

• Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): Exclusive breastfeeding prevents ovulation for up to 6 months. Effective only if periods haven't resumed and feeding is regular.

Permanent methods

Permanent methods are surgeries for someone who doesn't plan to have children in the future:

• Tubal Ligation: This is a surgical method in the female reproductive system that blocks their fallopian tubes so they cannot get pregnant.

• Vasectomy: This is a specific surgical method in male reproductive system, cutting the vas deferens so that sperm cannot mix with semen.

Effectiveness of Birth Control Methods

Different contraceptive methods offer different levels of protection against the pregnancy-parturition-lactation cycle in humans. The effectiveness of a method depends on how it works and how correctly and consistently it is used. The effectiveness of contraceptive methods sharply varies:

• IUDs and Implants: More than 99% effective.

• Hormonal Methods: 91-99% effective, depending on proper use.

• Barrier Methods: 82-98% effective, depending on correct usage.

Factors to Consider when Choosing Birth Control

Choosing the right contraceptive method depends on many personal factors. Health conditions, lifestyle, and future family plans all affect the decision. It's best to take advice from a doctor to find the safest and most suitable method. Some factors are discussed below:

• Personal Health

A person should be able to consult their health professional to outline for them any preconditions they have that need to be considered when choosing the appropriate birth control method.

• Lifestyle Considerations

Consider your lifestyle, the frequency at which you have sex, and which method you are most comfortable with while choosing a birth control method.

• Immunology

Some methods, especially hormonal ones, may slightly influence the body's immune response, so individuals with immune-related conditions should consult a healthcare provider.

• Possible Side Effects

Consider the possible side effects associated with each method, including hormonal fluctuations, mood swings, or allergic reactions to the process.

Recommended Video on Birth Control

MCQs on Birth Control

Question: Choose the right one among the statements given below:

1. IUDs are generally inserted by the users themselves.

2. IUDs increase the phagocytosis reaction in the uterus.

3. IUDs suppress gametogenesis.

4. IUDs once inserted, need not be replaced.

Answer: IUD stands for Intrauterine Device and serves as a contraceptive method. It is a minute, commonly T-shaped object inserted into the uterus by a medical professional. IUD Categories:

1. Hormonal IUDs:
- Emit a small quantity of progestin hormone.
- Examples include Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, and Liletta.
- Function: Increase cervical mucus thickness to hinder sperm, reduce uterine lining receptiveness, and occasionally suppress ovulation.

2. Non-Hormonal (Copper) IUDs:
- Composed of plastic with a copper coating.
- Example: ParaGard.
- Function: Copper acts as a spermicide, impairing sperm movement and fertility.
- Inhibits egg fertilization.

IUD Mechanism:
Both types obstruct fertilization by impairing sperm mobility and viability. Additionally, they may modify the uterine lining to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting (secondary effect).

Hence, the correct answer is option 2) IUDs increase phagocytosis reaction in the uterus.

Question: One of the legal methods of birth control is:

1. by a premature ejaculation during coitus

2. abortion by taking an appropriate medicine

3. by abstaining from coitus from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle

4. by having coitus at the time of daybreak

Answer: Natural methods to avoid fertilization work on the principle of avoiding chances of ovum and sperm meeting. Periodic abstinence is one such method in which couples avoid or abstain from coitus from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle when ovulation could be expected. Pregnancy could be avoided by abstaining from coitus from days 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) by abstaining from coitus from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle.

Question: Assertion: Natural methods of pregnancy prevention are effective.

Reason: Natural methods of pregnancy prevention, such as periodic abstinence, rely on tracking the menstrual cycle to identify the fertile period and avoid sexual intercourse during that time.

1. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

2. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.

3. The assertion is true, but the Reason is false.

4. The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

Answer: Natural methods of pregnancy prevention can be effective when used consistently and correctly, but they are generally less reliable than other methods of contraception, such as hormonal contraceptives or intrauterine devices (IUDs). Natural methods, such as periodic abstinence, can be challenging to use because they require a high level of commitment and self-discipline. Additionally, natural methods are less effective in cases where the menstrual cycle is irregular or unpredictable.

The reason provided is correct. Natural methods of pregnancy prevention, such as periodic abstinence, rely on tracking the menstrual cycle to identify the fertile period and avoid sexual intercourse during that time. However, the effectiveness of natural methods is variable, and they may not be suitable for everyone.

Hence, the correct option is 1) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Methods of Birth Control
• Amniocentesis
• Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)