Different birth control methods work in different manners. The barrier methods like condoms and vaginal sponges work by providing a barrier in the union of sperms and ovum. Hormonal pills, patches, shots and vaginal rings work by altering the hormones required for egg formation or bringing about changes in the cervical secretions. Some people experience side effects when they use a particular contraceptive method. These may go away as the body adapts to certain methods. No birth control method is perfect and every procedure or method has a side effect. Below are short-term and long-term effects of birth control on the body.
Short-term side effects
- Unusual bleeding between periods or spotting (hormonal methods)
- Headaches (hormonal methods)
- Nausea (hormonal methods)
- Breast tenderness (hormonal methods)
- Weight gain (hormonal methods)
- Mood swings (emergency pill)
Long-term side effects
- Heavy or painful periods (intrauterine contraceptive device [IUCD])
- Endometriosis: It is a painful disorder in which abnormal tissue grows outside the uterus (IUCD)
- Menopause symptoms
- Blood pressure fluctuation (pills)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss or weight gain due to hormonal changes
Can birth control be used for long term?
Long-term contraceptives are recommended only if the doctor prescribed it. Many long-term birth control methods contain hormones. This can cause problems depending on a person’s medical history, age and overall health. Oral contraceptive pills should not be taken for more than five years without a break. Doctors may advise some people to avoid using certain types of birth control. If a birth control pill causes side effects, people can discuss with doctor and change pills until they find one that works for them.
At what age should women stop taking birth control?
Women usually should stop using birth control at the age of 55 years. It is not advisable to take pills continuously for five years without a break. Doctors recommend using a barrier method of contraception, such as condoms, to avoid getting sexually transmitted infections after the age of 50 years.
What is the difference between permanent and emergency birth control?
Permanent contraception:
- Tubal ligation (for women) and vasectomies (for men) are relatively surgical procedures intended to make pregnancy impossible.
- They’re almost 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. If individual is very sure about not to have children in the future, they’re a great option to consider.
- Recovery time from these procedures usually takes only a few days. The sexual function of the patient and partners is not impacted.
- Reversing a tubal ligation or vasectomy is possible, but there isn’t any guarantee that fertility will return.
- If a patient has intercourse without using birth control or condom tears during sex, it is advisable to consider emergency contraception.
- Two types of emergency birth control are available: morning-after pills and IUCD (which doubles as emergency contraception).
- One type of pill often called “Plan B” is available from most pharmacies without a prescription; it can prevent pregnancy up to three days after sex. The more effective pill often called “Ella” does need a prescription and can prevent pregnancy up to five days after sex.
- Copper intrauterine device also requires patient to see a doctor, but they’re almost 100% effective when inserted within five days of intercourse.
What is the best form of birth control?
What's "best" among birth control methods differs from person to person. What is right for a person may not be right for others. And individual needs may also change over time.
- The only 100% assured method to avoid pregnancy is to not have penetrative sex or any sexual activity where sperm can reach into the vagina. This is called abstinence.
- Condoms with any type of birth control are considered the most effective way to avoid pregnancy and also offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). No birth control method is perfect. Using condoms with another type of birth control (like the implant, intrauterine device or pill) gives backup protection in case either method fails. Condom lowers the chances of getting all kinds of STDs, like HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes.
QUESTION
Which of the following are methods for contraception? See AnswerReferences
What's the Best Birth Control?
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Birth control is available in a variety of methods and types. The method of birth control varies from person to person, and their preferences to either become pregnant or not. Examples of barrier methods include barrier methods (sponge, spermicides, condoms), hormonal methods (pill, patch), surgical sterilization (tubal ligation, vasectomy), natural methods, and the morning-after pill. Side effects and risks of each birth control option should be reviewed before using any birth control method.
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Can I Get Pregnant Even If He Pulls Out?
If you use the pull out method perfectly each time, it has about a 96% success rate. However, it is challenging to do it exactly right every time. So, in reality, it has about a 78% success rate.
How Are Intrauterine Devices Fitted?
Inserting an intrauterine device (IUD) is a simple procedure that takes a few minutes. An IUD is a small, T-shaped device made from plastic or copper that is placed in a woman's womb to prevent pregnancy. The coil is inserted through the cervix
How Does Tubal Sterilization Work?
Tubal sterilization is also called tubal ligation. It is a form of permanent birth control for women. Tubal sterilization works to permanently prevent pregnancy by cutting and tying or clipping the fallopian tubes, hence preventing the egg from traveling from the ovaries through the fallopian tubes. It also blocks the sperm from entering the fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg.
How Likely Is It To Get Pregnant with an IUD?
Getting pregnant while you have an IUD is extremely rare. There is one out of a hundred chances that this could happen. However, it has happened before.
How Likely Is Pregnancy After Vasectomy?
Despite having a very high success rate, there are still times when vasectomies fail. This is a rare situation. Less than 1% of vasectomies fail and result in pregnancies.
Is It OK To Skip the 7-Day Break on the Pill?
There seems to be no additional risks associated with using the pill to suppress the seven-day break (beyond the health risks already linked to hormonal pills or devices).Is It Painful to Have an IUD Inserted?
Gynecologists insert a T-shaped device into the woman’s uterus (womb). This process is quick and not very painful. However, some pain is inevitable, and pain experience is different for every woman. It is normal to feel some discomfort when the opening of the womb (cervix) is stretched. For most women, this only lasts for a few seconds and may be felt as a sharp pain.
Can You Lose Weight While on the Birth Control Pill?
It is possible to lose weight while on the birth control pill, but every woman's body is different and reacts differently to hormones. Eating a sensible diet and adopting a regular workout regimen will help you maintain a healthy weight.
norethindrone (Nor QD, Nora-BE, Ortho Micronor)
Norethindrone oral contraceptive is a prescription drug used to prevent pregnancy. Side effects include headache, nausea, dizziness, breast tenderness, irregular vaginal bleeding, acne, fatigue, and weight gain. Oral contraceptives are generally avoided during pregnancy. The use of birth control pills during lactation has been associated with decreased milk production.Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives)
Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are prescription medications that prevent pregnancy. Three combinations of birth control pills that contain progestin and estrogen are 1) monophasic, 2) biphasic, and 3) triphasic. Birth control pills may also be prescribed to reduce menstrual cramps or prevent anemia. Certain prescription medications may cause drug interactions. Some women experience various levels of side effects of birth control pills.oxytocin
Oxytocin is a synthetic form of the natural human hormone oxytocin used to induce or improve uterine contractions during delivery and to prevent uncontrolled bleeding (hemorrhage) after the delivery. Common side effects of oxytocin include serious allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction), premature ventricular contractions, postpartum hemorrhage, pelvic hematoma, irregular heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmia), bleeding in the space between the brain and its membrane (subarachnoid hemorrhage), fatal afibrinogenemia, hypertensive episodes, nausea, vomiting, and rupture of the uterus. Oxytocin should not be used otherwise during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
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Should I Be Worried About Pregnancy if I Used a Condom?
Condoms are a popular method of birth control. If used correctly, there's about a 2 percent risk of becoming pregnant while using a condom, but it's a good idea to use another method of birth control along with it. Condoms are probably the most effective means for preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as long as they are used correctly during sex.