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

Birth control refers to pregnancy prevention so that individuals can have children at their plan and suitable spacing. There are several techniques like hormonal methods, barrier methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and natural methods. Knowing these can guide a well-informed choice in reproductive health. This topic is covered in the Class 12 chapter Reproductive Health in Biology. Questions regarding contraceptive methods, their efficiency, and health impacts are often asked in competitive examinations like NEET, AIIMS, Nursing, and Paramedical.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is Birth Control?
2. Types of Birth Control Methods
3. Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods
4. Factors to Consider when Choosing Birth Control
5. Tips, Tricks and Strategies to Study Birth Control for Different Exams
6. Weightage and Types of Questions on Birth Control Asked in Different Exams
7. Recommended Video on Birth Control

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 and control their fertility according to their will to do so. There are many methods of contraception, which will be elaborated in the following points, therefore, making regard towards safe sex an informed choice.

Read More:

• MCQ Practice on Reproductive Health
• Reproductive Health
• Infertility
• Human Reproduction

Types of Birth Control Methods

The details are given below:

Barrier Methods

Barrier methods prevent the 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 infections.

• Diaphragms: 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.

• 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 menstruation cramps.

• Patches: Adhesive patches, impregnated with hormones, are applied trans-dermally, 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. It can either be hormonal or copper-based and provides contraception for a long period, normally between 3 and 10 years.

Natural methods

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

• Natural Birth Control Methods: These include abstinence and the rhythm method, where intercourse is avoided during a woman's fertile period.

• Fertile Period: A woman is fertile for 9 days each month, starting 5 days before ovulation and lasting 3 days after.

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 for a female that blocks their fallopian tubes so they cannot get pregnant.

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

Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods

The details are given below:

Effectiveness Rates

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

The details are given 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

Possible Side Effects

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

Tips, Tricks and Strategies to Study Birth Control for Different Exams

Here are some tricks to study Birth Control:

Methods of Birth Control

Mnemonic: "HANDS ON BIRTH CONTROL"

• Hormonal methods (e.g., pills, patches)

• Abstinence (total or periodic)

• Natural methods (e.g., rhythm method)

• Diaphragm (barrier method)

• Spermicides

• Oral contraceptives

• Non-hormonal IUDs

• Barrier methods (e.g., condoms)

• IUDs (Intrauterine devices)

• Restriction of sexual activity

• Tubal ligation (female sterilization)

• Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)

• Condoms (male and female)

• Outside the fertile period

• Neutralization of sperm

• Transitional methods (e.g., withdrawal)

• Reproductive health awareness

• Other surgical methods (e.g., vasectomy)

STDs and Their Symptoms

Mnemonic: "HIV C HITS"

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• Infection (Bacterial STDs)

• Viral STDs (e.g., herpes, hepatitis)

• Chlamydia (burning sensation, discharge)

• Herpes (blisters, sores)

• Inflammation (pelvic inflammatory disease)

• Triple symptoms (painful urination, discharge, bleeding)

• Syphilis (rash, sores)

Female Reproductive System Parts

Mnemonic: "Ovaries Offer A Great Cervix"

• Ovaries
• Oviducts (Fallopian tubes)
• Abdominal cavity (where fertilization occurs)
• Gravid uterus (during pregnancy)
• Cervix (lower part of the uterus)

Weightage and Types of Questions on Birth Control Asked in Different Exams

The table below indicates the weightage and types of questions asked from birth control in different exams:

Also Read:

Recommended Video on Birth Control