A lot of new parents get pregnant again because they do not follow proper birth control methods after their baby arrives. This can cause physical as well as emotional strain, especially on the new mom. This is why it is very important to take the right precautions to ensure that you do not have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy.

Birth control methods have been immensely popular among people worldwide and there are several safe and reliable methods for both men and women. Birth control refers to certain actions that you take to prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy. It includes the use of devices, drugs, surgical procedures and other methods to prevent impregnation.

Birth Control Methods for Men and Women

Birth control methods are broadly classified into two main routes. These are:

1. Contraception: This is a birth control method that prevents the ovum from being fertilized by the sperm.
2. Contragestion: This is also known as emergency contraception, which involves the use of morning-after pill. It prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in your uterine wall.

Both men and women have a number of options that they can choose from, when it comes to birth control methods. Let us take a look at the options available.

For Men

Male birth control options include:

1. Outercourse: This refers to sexual intercourse without penetration. It prevents pregnancy by ensuring that the sperm does not enter the vagina. Though many people find it effective, there is a possibility of pregnancy occurring if pre-ejaculate or semen is spilled on the vulva and the sperms then make their way into the vagina. Engaging in outercourse also reduces the risk of developing HIV/AIDS. One the reasons that people choose outercourse is because it does not have side effects or cause hormonal changes.

2. Condoms: Condoms are probably the most popular birth control method for men. It protects both you and your partner from contracting STDs as they limit skin-to-skin contact. These are easy to get used to and work by collecting semen during sex, thus preventing it from reaching the egg. Using condoms will also reduce your chances of contracting STDs because they prevent bodily fluids from coming into contact with one another. Condoms are available for both men and women, although the latter are not very popular. The only drawback of condoms is it may take some time getting used to and putting them on can take away the mood of intercourse.

3. Withdrawal: This method is also known as coitus interruptus, or the pull-out method. It is one of the oldest methods of birth control where the male gets his penis out of the vagina before ejaculation. This prevents the sperm from entering the vagina, making it difficult to get pregnant. However, this is not a recommended method as it may still lead to pregnancy if a man is unaware about his reaching point of ejaculation and fails to pull-out in time. Thus, men who ejaculate prematurely or don’t know when to pull out should not try this method.

4. Vasectomy: This is a permanent birth control method for men, and is probably the most effective one. It is a surgical procedure which involves closing or blocking off the vas deferens tubes that are responsible for carrying the sperm. Thus, the sperm is unable to leave the man’s body. Instead of being ejaculated, the sperm is absorbed by the body. Vasectomy may be done by two different ways. One method involves making an incision which takes about 20 minutes, whereas the other method does not need any incision and can be done in a shorter period of time. Vasectomy is a safe procedure and is the best birth control if one does not want any children in the future. Our doctors at KIMS Cuddles can help you understand about the procedure in detail.

For Women

There are some commonly used birth control methods that women can use to avoid getting pregnant. These include:

1. Birth Control Pills: The pill is one of the most popular birth control method used by women. It involves taking a pill daily to ward off pregnancy. There are different kinds of birth control pills. Some contain estrogen and progestin, while other contain only progestin. Most women take the one with estrogen and progestin, also known as combination pills. Birth control pills work in the same manner as the implant in preventing pregnancy from taking place. However, it is important to avoid birth control pills when you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; heart or liver problems; vein inflammation or are being treated for blood clots. Make sure your doctor is aware of all your health conditions before you begin using the pill.

2. Emergency Contraception: Emergency contraception is also known as the morning-after pill. It helps prevent pregnancy after you have had unprotected sex. You can try this up to five days of unprotected sex. The pill works by keeping a woman’s ovary from releasing an egg and prevents fertilization. Broadly, emergency contraception is of two types. This includes:

• Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Emergency contraceptive pills work by preventing the sperm from reaching the egg. It doesn’t let the ovary to release the egg. Therefore, if you need to take an emergency contraceptive pill, do it as soon as you have unprotected sex.

• Intrauterine Devices: Many women choose to have an IUD inserted into their uterus to prevent pregnancy. Intrauterine devices are small devices that are shaped like a ‘T’. There are two types of IUDs – the hormonal IUD and the copper IUD. They affect the movement of the sperm so that it is unable to reach the egg. They are safe to use even when you are breastfeeding.

3. Tubal Litigation: Tubal litigation, or “tying your tubes”, can prevent pregnancy by making a woman infertile. It should be done only if you are certain that you don’t want any children in the future. This is done by two ways:

• Abdominal Incision: This method involves making an incision above your pubic region to access the fallopian tubes. It is performed under general anesthesia and the doctor cuts and seals the tubes to prevent eggs from reaching your uterus.

• Laparoscopy: Laparoscopy involves two tiny incisions to block your fallopian tubes. This method is also done under general anesthesia by a specialist.

Tubal litigation has a low failure rate and is an effective birth control method for women. This one-time procedure offers protection against unwanted pregnancy and reduces your risk for pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cancer. However, it comes with certain risks of ectopic pregnancy, if the litigation is unsuccessful.

When choosing a birth control method, make sure you ask your doctor about the best one for you. The doctors at KIMS Cuddles will help you choose the one that is certified as being efficient and safe. Different methods have various side effects and risks attached to them, and our expert panel will help you understand them better so that you can make an informed choice.

*Information shared here is for general purpose Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.