Birth Control

Welcome to the Affordable Drugs birth control information page. Here you can learn about birth control methods, the effectiveness of various types of birth control, how birth control pills work and more. You can also find the best available birth control prices. The information contained on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.

What is Birth Control?

There are many definitions of birth control.  Here are a few:

From wikipedia - Birth control is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, sexual practices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or childbirth.

From wiktionary - Voluntary control of the number of children conceived, especially by the planned use of contraception; Any contraceptive technique.

From Menopause.org - A way for men and women to prevent pregnancy. Methods for women include birth control pills, condoms, vaginal spermicides, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and more.

Others include: 
- A device or method used to prevent pregnancy.
- preventing birth or reducing frequency of birth, primarily by preventing conception.
- Any method used to reduce births, including celibacy, delayed marriage, contraception; devices or medication that prevent implantation of fertilized zygotes, and induced abortions.

On a very basic level, birth control can best be defined as a method to prevent a woman or girl from conceiving a child. There are many options when choosing a birth control method and it is extremely important to research and discuss with a doctor the type that is best for you. It is essential to understand that all methods of birth control have both positive and negative aspects.

One of the most used methods of birth control are the birth control pills. Birth control pills, popularly referred to as "the pill" is a hormonal birth control method but it is not the only one. Some of the others include shots, the skin patch, the implant and the vaginal ring. Hormonal methods like birth control pills are very effective but in order to be so they must be used conscientiously. The increase chance of pregnancy quickly escalates if they are not used how and when it is necessary.

Another method of birth control is the Intrauterine Device or "IUD". The" IUD" is implanted into the uterus and can be a very effective birth control method for a time period of five to ten years. A certain type of" IUD "can also contain a hormone. The reason that this is an added benefit is that it can reduce the intensity of cramps during heavy menstruation.

Another common category of birth control is the use of condoms or "rubbers", sponges and diaphragms. These are all called Barrier Methods of birth control. They do as the name suggests create a barrier to keep sperm from reaching fertilization, it is imperative that barrier protection be used every time there is sexual intercourse.

Some methods of birth control are considered permanent. These methods are a good option for those couples who do not want children or do not want any more children. The Vasectomy and tuba ligation fall into this category. In some cases these can be reversed but generally they are the chosen method for couples who are done having children or perhaps for those who run a severe health risk should a pregnancy ensue.

The decision to use birth control is a personal one, but beyond that is also very important to be educated on the various methods and possible risks. Some significant risks are increased by smoking, diabetes, heart conditions and other health factors. For this reason do not be afraid of asking a lot of questions about birth control before deciding on which to choose. Many women switch from one method to another. Remember that most birth control methods do not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Birth Control Methods

There are several medicinal birth control methods. Before selecting the method you want to use, you should research all the reasonable methods thoroughly. Most of the birth control methods for women involve the use of hormones. You should make yourself aware of any long term use of hormones and the possible side effects before making your decision.



Birth Control Pills

The main ingredients in birth control pills are synthetic forms of the female hormones produced by the body, estrogen and progesterone. The synthetic progesterone is called progestin. The two work together to keep the body's natural levels of estrogen and progesterone from increasing during the menstrual cycle. Without these elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone, the eggs produced by the ovaries cannot be released, thus inhibiting ovulation. When the progesterone and estrogen levels are not allowed to rise naturally, sperm is also blocked before it can reach the eggs.



Birth control pills come in three varieties:



1. The most common type of birth control pill is referred to as combination pills because they contain both estrogen and progestin. There are several choices when considering combination birth control pills. With the 28-day pill you take a total of 28 pills each month. Twenty-one pills taken for the first 3 weeks contain the hormones and the last 7 are sugar pills. It is in that last 7 days that the period happens. Twenty-one day pills are the same except the process does not utilize the 7 days of sugar pills. There are also extended use pills. This means that one pill is taken each day for 84 days and then 7 days worth of placebo. You will experience only 4 periods in a year. With continuous use pills, a hormone pill is taken every day and you never have a period.



2. Progestin-only pills contain just progestin. As with combination pills, the purpose is to prevent ovulation and sperm from entering the uterus. For these pills to be completely effective, you need to take them each day at the same time.



3. Emergency contraceptive pills are meant to be a fast-acting method of birth control taken after sex. They are available without a prescription for adults.





The Birth Control Patch

The patch also works by the use of hormones, which are administered through a small patch stuck to the skin. The patch contains the same combination of progesterone and estrogen and the point is to prevent ovulation and keep sperm from reaching the eggs. The patch is applied either to the torso, upper arm, chest, or buttocks. The patch is changed once a week for three weeks and on the fourth week, no patch is worn, during which time the period should arrive.



The Vaginal Ring

The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring placed in the vagina once a month. After three weeks, the ring is removed so that the period can occur. After the fourth week, a new ring is inserted. As in the other methods of birth control, the release of estrogein and progestin is involved to prevent the release of eggs and stop sperm from getting to the eggs.



Birth Control Shot

The birth control shot, sometimes known by its brand name Depo-Provera, is an injection of a progestin. One shot should stop pregnancy for three months. The birth control shot has several advantages. It is safe and convenient, no daily pill to remember and requires no preparation before sex.



Birth Control Implant

A rather new and not widely used birth control method is the implant, called an Implanon. The implant is a small plastic implant about the size of match. It is placed beneath the skin of the upper arm. It can prevent pregnancy for as long as three years. Like other methods of birth control, the implant releases progestin into the body to stop ovulation.



Spermicides

Each of the birth control methods discussed previously is available by prescription only from your doctor. Spermicides are available over-the-counter. A spermicide is a substance that stops sperm from moving, thus making in unable to get to and ferilize an egg. There are several different ways in which spermicides are administered. They come in cream form, foams, gels and suppositories and are inserted as deeply as possible into the vagina using fingers are an applicator. Another way to use a spermicide for birth control is the sponge. This device is a plastic foam sponge that contains the spermicide. It is inserted into the vagina before intercourse and loop attached to the bottom for easy removal.. It should be noted that spermicides are only effective for approximately one hour.



Other Birth Control Methods

There are a number of other medicinal birth control methods used. Some of these include condoms, diaphragms, the female condom, and IUDs. For those who are serious about preventing pregnancy and have made an informed decision, there is female sterilization where a doctor blocks or closes the fallopian tubes. A vascetomy for a man involves blocking or closing the tubes that carry sperm.

Birth Control Effectiveness

Choosing the right birth control method involves several important considerations. First is the ease of using that form of birth control, knowing the rate of its effectiveness, the cost involved in using it regularly, and how well the birth control method under consideration fits with any health limitations of the individual using it.

Abstinence is the only form of birth control which has 100% effectiveness in preventing unwanted pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases. Withdrawal of the male during intercourse is the least effective birth control method, with 85% of people using this form likely to experience pregnancy within one year.

Three birth control methods are considered among the most effective, with only 5 to 8% out of every one hundred couples using these forms experiencing a failure leading to pregnancy. The first of these most effective birth control methods is the birth control patch, a thin square patch that sticks to the woman's skin like a band-aid, delivering a dose of the hormones progesterone and estrogen into the bloodstream through the skin to prevent ovulation.

Another very effective birth control method is the birth control pill, a pill ingested by the female orally on a daily basis for 21 days (with 7 days off). The pill contains a hormonal combination that works to prevent normal ovulation.

The third most effective birth control method is the birth control ring, a soft, donut-shaped device inserted into the female's vagina for a three-week cycle where it releases hormones into the bloodstream through the uterine wall in order to prevent pregnancy.

The birth control shot, an injection of long-lasting progesterone to prevent pregnancy given to the female once every three months, is also considered a very effective birth control form, having a 0.3% failure rate.

A condom, a synthetic sheath worn over the penis of the male, is considered a moderately effective form of birth control, resulting in 15 pregnancies per every 100 males using this form of birth control, due to breakage of the condom that allows for pregnancy to occur. Its female condom counterpart, a protective sheath inserted inside the woman's vagina to prevent pregnancy, is even less effective than the male condom, resulting in as many as 21 births per 100 usages.

The intrauterine device (IUD), a T-shaped piece of plastic inserted into the female's vagina is much more effective at birth control than either male or female condoms, with a less than 1% failure rate. A diaphram, a flexible rubber bowl inserted into the vagina as a barrier to sperm, is less effective, with a 16% failure rate.

Tracking the fertility cycle of the female, using spermicides and withdrawing the penis before ejaculation are all birth control methods averaging a one in four chance of resulting in pregnancy.

For more information about the failure rates of birth control methods please visit http://www.contracept.org/risks.php

Birth Control Types

It is important that every adult be aware of the various birth control types, use the knowledge wisely, and practice sexual activity responsibly. Knowing the different birth control types (also called contraceptives) will help you choose the best and most suitable one for you.

The majority of birth controls fall into two categories: hormonal or barrier. The focus of this article will be on these two types. Hormonal types use estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy. Whereas, the barrier types use a device or substance to block the sperm from entering a woman's uterus. The hormonal types are usually the most effective, but the barrier types have fewer side effects.

Hormonal Birth Control Types

1) The Pill
The pill is the most effective and widely used birth control type. The pill must be taken routinely, either daily or as prescribed by a physican. Missing a pill will cause it to decrease its effectiveness. There is a progestin-only pill (mini-pill) available for women unable to take estrogen.

2) Patch
The patch is worn on the abdomen, buttocks or upper arm. A new patch is used every week during a 3-week period. On the fourth week, the patch is removed and no patch is worn. This routine is repeated every 4-week period.

3) Vaginal Ring
The vaginal ring/NuvaRing is a flexible ring inserted in the vagina. After being prescribed by a physician, it can be inserted and removed at home. Once inserted, the ring stays in the vagina for a full 3 weeks. The next week, the vaginal ring is removed. After the free week, a new ring is inserted for another 3-week period.

4) Injection
This is a progestin-only injection administered by a physican. It can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 months depending on the type of injection used. The Dep-Provera injection lasts for 3 months, and the Lunelle injection lasts for one month.

5) Intrauterine Device (IUD)
The IUD is a small, plastic T-shaped device with a string attached at the end. There are two types: hormonal or copper. The IUD must be inserted in the uterus by a physician, and it stays in place until the physician removes it. The hormonal IUD lasts for 5 years, and the copper IUD lasts for 10 years. The greatest advantage of the IUD is its longevity, without any daily routine.

Barrier Birth Control Types

1) Condom
The condom is the most common barrier birth control type. It is a thin latex or rubber sheath placed over an erect penis prior to intercourse. No prescription is required. It provides the most effective protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

2) Diaphragm
A diaphragm is a soft rubber dome stretched over a flexible ring. The dome is filled with spermicidal cream or jelly prior to insertion into the vagina. The diaphragm must initially be fitted by a physician.

3) Spermicides
Spermicides are chemicals that are designed to kill sperm. They are available as foam, jelly, foaming tablets, and vaginal suppositories. No prescription is required.

How Do Birth Control Pills Work?

Birth control pills are taken once daily to prevent pregnancy. Just how do they do this? It is accomplished through the regulation of the production of certain hormones. The body creates many hormones and each one controls  specific functions. The hormones used in birth control pills regulate the ovaries and uterus. Birth control pills take control of the hormone production in the ovaries and uterus so that you do not ovulate. If there are no eggs produced, you can't become pregnant. This is the simple explanation. But there is more to it than this.

At the start of every menstrual cycle, the hormone estrogen starts to increase. The job of estrogen is to thicken the uterus lining so that it can be ready for a fertilized egg. Estrogen levels top out about two weeks into the menstrual cycle and an ovary will release an egg. This is known as ovulation. But once an egg is released, the levels of the other reproductive hormone, progesterone, will start to go up. When this happens, the lining of the uterus thickens even more. The egg then moves through the fallopian tubes. Once an egg is released, it susceptible to fertilization for 12 to 24 hours. If it has not been fertilized, it will start to break up. If it is fertilized along the way, it embeds itself in the lining of the uterus and we have conception. If the egg is not fertilized, the levels of estrogen and progesterone fall again. This triggers the thickened uterine lining to be discarded by the body, and menstruation begins.

Birth control pills contain man-made versions of estrogen and progesterone. Together, they stop ovulation by keeping the natural estrogen and progesterone levels from rising. Without a sharp rise in estrogen, the ovary does not get the physiological signal to release an egg through the fallopian tube so that it can be fertilized. The hormones in birth control pills also trigger the production of more mucus in the cervix, making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg. The hormones also affect the lining of the uterus so that an egg cannot attach itself to it.

There are three common types of birth control pills:

1. Combination Pills - Combination pills are the most commonly used type of birth control pill. The name refers to the type of pills that use both progestin (synthetic progesterone) and estrogen. They can be taken on a schedule that allows you to have a period once a month, once every three months, or continuously so that you do not have period for a long as you take the pills.

2. Progestin-only pills (POP) - This type of birth control pill contains no estrogen, just progestin. These pills do not always suppress ovulation, so for them to work at their best, they should be taken at the exact same time every day.

3. Emergency Contraceptive Pills - These pills are available without a prescription and are used to stop a possible pregnancy after sex.
 

Birth Control Brands

Contraceptive choices are wide and deep today. Not only are there several methods to choose from, but a wider variety of birth control brands are available for the various methods.

Oral Contraceptives / "The Pill"
The most significant change in birth control pills over the last nearly 50 years is the ability to choose different dosing regimens. In addition to the traditional 28 day pills, there is now 21 day, 91 day or continuous prescriptions. A woman now has a choice as to how often she menstruates.

Combination Pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone, prevent ovulation by adjusting the level hormones. They also make the uterus and cervix "unfriendly" to the reproductive process of egg fertilization and implantation. What varies most between the brands is the form of progestin.

Birth control brands in their popular combination include:
- Norethindrone/Ethinyl Estradiol : Aranelle, Balziva, Brevicon, Estrostep Fe, Gencept, Junel, Loestrin, Loestrin FE, Microgestin, Modicon, Ortho, Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Novum, Ovcon, Tri - Norinyl and Norinyl
- Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol: Alesse, Aviane, Lessina, Levlite, Levora, Portia, Seasonale, Seasonique, Triphasil
- Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol: Apri, Cyclessa, Desogen, Kariva, Mircette, Ortho-Cept, Velivet
- Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol: Cryselle, Ovral, Lo/ Ovral

A variation on traditional oral contraceptives is the mini-pill or progestin-only pill which is shown to reduce some of the health risks associated with progestin/estrogen combination pills. Popular brands of these include: Aygestin, Camila, Errin, Micronor, Nor-QD, Norlutate, Ovrette. These are often prescribed for nursing mothers because the progestin does not affect the milk.

Intrauterine Devices / IUD
IUDs work to prevent pregnancy by creating an environment in the uterus that is not conducive to egg fertilization. They are recommended for nursing mothers about six weeks after delivery because they also do not affect milk. Popular IUD birth control brands include Paragard and Mirena, which contains progestin.

Alternatives
Although approval of and warnings about contraceptives come fast and furious, several birth control brands are available that offer alternatives to the IUD or pills.
- Implanon is a small and thin, matchstick-sized device. It is implanted under the skin of a woman's arm. Over a period of 3 years, it releases progestin in the form of Etonogestrel.
- NuvaRing is another alternative. It is a combination hormone contraceptive that is held in place by vaginal muscles. Etonogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol are absorbed through the vaginal walls and carried into the bloodstream. NuvaRing's effectiveness is not unlike the pill in this respect.
- The Ortho Evra patch transmits its Norelgestromin/Ethinyl Estradiol hormone combination transdermally (through the skin). The patch is affixed in a variety of places on the body and replaced weekly.
- Depo Provera is a contraceptive injection of Medroxyprogesterone which lasts for 3 months. It is similar to the mini-pill in that it is a progestin only contraceptive.

Your physician is your best partner in helping you make the right decisions about birth control brands and types. However, the more information you have the better you will feel about your decision.