Research-backed
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Everyone loves surprises but unplanned pregnancy can be the least exciting one among them all. Do you often restrain from doing it with your partner because you’re worried that you may get pregnant? You don’t have to do that because you can avoid pregnancy in many ways. We’ve picked up the most effective ones for you.
1. Condoms
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The male partner wears a condom so that the sperms don’t get in contact with a fertile female egg during coitus. Condoms not only help in avoiding pregnancy but they protect you from STDs like AIDS. You can also go for a female condom which can be worn by women.
2. Abstinence
Abstinence is when you do not practice coitus. While some people prefer abstinence from all types of lovemaking including oral and anal, abstinence from coitus is the only thing required to prevent pregnancy. It is natural, has a 100% success rate, and prevents STDs (1). However, the urge to have coitus can prevent people from practicing abstinence for a long time.
3. Spermicides
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These are creams, foams, jellies, tablets, or dissolvable films that mostly contain nonoxynol-9. They destroy the sperm before it reaches the egg, to prevent pregnancy. Spermicides cannot protect you from STDs. Moreover, prolonged use can make you vulnerable to STDs because nonoxynol-9 can cause irritation and small tears in the genital tissue (2).
4. Hormonal Devices
Hormonal devices include birth control shots, patches, implants in hands, and rings inside the birth canal. Talk to your doctor to find out which one is the right device for you and what are its pros and cons.
5. Diaphragms
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These are cups made of silicone and are inserted inside the vaginal canal to avoid the meeting of the sperm and the egg. They are usually combined with spermicidal jelly to increase their effectiveness. Unlike condoms, diaphragms cannot protect you against STDs (3).
6. IUDs (Intrauterine Devices)
IUDs are considered to be one of the most effective birth control methods. A small T-shaped device will be fit inside your uterus for birth control. Copper IUD and hormonal IUDs are the two types that you can consider (4).
7. Birth Control Pills
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These are oral hormonal pills that contain synthetic progestin and estrogen. They work by preventing the release of fertile eggs from the ovary to the uterus. This is not one of the most desired methods of birth control since studies show that it might invite many unwanted side-effects (5).
8. Vasectomy
This surgical method is used to make the male partner sterile permanently. It is done in the vasa deferentia to block the sperm. Even though it is reversible in some cases, it is not always possible (6).
9. Emergency Contraception
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Sometimes, you forget to use contraception because you get lost in the heat of the moment. Before you freak out, know that there are emergency contraceptive options like certain pills (7). The female partner should take the pill as early as possible after unprotected intercourse.
10. Tubectomy
This is yet another surgical method but it is done on the female partner. The fallopian tubes are blocked so that the eggs produced by the ovary don’t reach the uterus.
11. Withdrawal Method
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The withdrawal from coitus before ejaculation is known as the withdrawal method. It may not be always effective since the pre-cum can also contain sperms. Also, not everyone can have enough control during intercourse to withdraw on time (8).
12. Follow The Ovulation Calendar
You can engage in coitus when the female partner is going through the safe period of her menstrual cycle. However, this method could be risky if you miscalculate the days (9).
13. Avoiding Coitus Just After The Period
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It’s a misconception that you cannot get pregnant if you engage in coitus during or right after your period. Sperms can stay alive for about one week inside the female body so you need to avoid unprotected coitus even during this period (10).
14. Do Not Bring Your Genitals Close
To avoid pregnancy, the genitals of the partners shouldn’t be in direct contact even if they aren’t engaged in intercourse. Rubbing and coming in contact during cuddling can be risky because there can be traces of sperm outside the male genitals.
15. Indirect Contact With The Sperm
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You can get pregnant if your partner touches his genitals or a used condom and then touches yours.
What is your method of contraception? What has worked the best for you? Share your tips with our readers in the comments section below.
