Tips for Preventing Unplanned
Pregnancy
Here are few options that will help you avoid unplanned
pregnancy.
Avoid sex
As discussed above, this is the most effective way to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.
If you choose not to have sex, there is no way that you can get pregnant.
Abstinence is by far the safest and most effective mode of birth control. Once
you decide to have sexual intercourse, you can resort to a wide variety of
contraceptive options, but the nagging possibility of a pregnancy still remain
as there are several other associated factors related to each of the methods.
For artificial contraceptive methods to be effective, it requires an alignment
of your bodily system, the mechanism and the timing.
Use a Condom
This is a barrier method where the male wears a condom on his penis before
vaginal penetration. This is a considerably safe method as it also effectively
prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases too. According to
studies it offers about 90% protection against unwanted pregnancies. Being
easily accessible, effective and inexpensive, it is advisable to use a condom
before every intercourse. It is necessary to change it every time as there is a
possibility of wear and tear in the latex condoms and even a minute breakage
can cause the semen to pass through into the vagina and result in pregnancy. Condoms
with spermicides are even more effective as the spermicide
kills the sperms that may have accidentally spilled into the vagina, thereby
preventing the possibility of pregnancy.
Female Sponge
Women can avoid pregnancy by using the sponge
as it is a safe birth control measure and unlike other options (for women), it
is hormone free. It is convenient to use and very effective as well. The only
problem is that it is yet not widely available, at least in the local drug
stores. The sponge needs to be inserted inside the vagina and can effectively
protect sexually transmitted diseases too.
Female Contraceptive Devices
You can choose to use a diaphragm
which is a tiny flexible rubber disc. This needs to be inserted into the cervix
through the vagina of the woman under a clinical setting. The diaphragm is
customised in terms of size and it covers the cervix thereby creating a barrier
for the semen. It also carries spermicide and needs to stay in the woman for at
least 6 hours following an intercourse.
IUD
IUD or intrauterine device is another option. It is a contraceptive implant
that is inserted inside the uterus and can be carried for 5-10 years. It is
very effective in preventing an unplanned pregnancy, although she might face a
few side effects like abnormal menstrual bleeding accompanied by cramps.
The Pill
Birth control pill is the most popular amongst the contraceptive options
used by women. It works on the hormones that trigger ovulation and prevents it,
thereby preventing pregnancy. Pills are highly effective and it is advisable to
take them under medical prescription. Since the pill and other similar
contraceptive methods that work with female hormones, like the patch, etc,
there is a possibility of associated side-effects like usual weigh gain, nausea
and depression.
