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What is the Best Form of Birth Control?

Questions of choosing the best birth control method to prevent pregnancy and protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections are of concern to many women. Choosing reliable contraception is not an easy task and should be discussed with your doctor.

Contraception can be barrier, hormonal, and intrauterine. Birth control methods such as coitus interruptus and calendaring cannot be considered reliable and effective. Fortunately, in the 21st century, there are many ways and means of protection against unwanted pregnancy and unpleasant diseases.

Here https://alvamedic.com/, you can find a variety of the most popular and effective birth control options at the most pleasant prices.

Different types of birth control

Condoms

Pros

• reliable protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies (if used correctly);
• affordable price;
• condoms have no systemic effect on the body;
• ideal for those who have an irregular sex life;
• do not require preliminary examinations for selection.

Minuses

• decreased sensitivity;
• possible latex allergy.

Copper IUD (intrauterine system)

The copper IUDs thicken the cervical mucus and form a barrier to sperm. Copper acts toxic to sperm cells, immobilizing them, and also inhibits ovulation.

Pros

• prolonged action, allowing you to forget about contraception for several years;
• no systemic effect on the body;
• can be used during lactation.

Minuses

• cannot be put nulliparous, since, against the background of the spiral, there is a risk of the formation of intrauterine synechiae, adhesions, which can lead to infertility;
• the spiral does not protect against STDs. Therefore, it is suitable only for women who have one permanent healthy sexual partner;
• against the background of the use of a copper-containing coil, the risk of inflammatory diseases of the uterus and appendages increases by 5-6 times compared with women who do not have coils;
• a spiral can provoke longer and more painful menstruation;
• if a woman has a history of multiple abortions, invasive interventions, curettage, there is a risk of cervical insufficiency, i.e., incompetence of the cervix, which can lead to expulsion (prolapse) of the spiral.

Protected hormone IUDs

Hormonal IUDs with estrogen and progestin act in the uterine cavity, make the mucous membrane thinner and immobilize sperm. All this makes it impossible for fertilization and the introduction of the ovum.

Pros

• reliable contraceptive effect within five years;
• no system action;
• has a therapeutic effect: indicated for patients with a history of hyperplastic endometrial processes, uterine myoma;
• can be used during lactation.

Birth control pills

A hormonal birth control pill is perhaps one of the most effective types of birth control methods of all that exists today.

Hormonal contraception drugs differ in dosage (mini-dosage - estrogen content is not more than 30 mcg, micro-dosed - no more than 20 mcg, large dosages are not currently used), components, method of entry into the body.

Pros

• reliable contraceptive effect (if a woman does not miss taking pills, the guarantee is almost 100%);
• active protection of the ovaries and endometrium (mucous membrane) of the uterus from cancer;
• regulation of the menstrual cycle;
• reduction of painful sensations during menstruation;
• cosmetic effect (some OK help to cope with acne, normalize the skin condition);
• therapeutic effect (the doctor will help you choose hormonal contraceptives, which are indicated for patients with uterine fibroids, with endometriosis.

Minuses

• no protection against STDs;
• higher price compared to copper-containing coils.

When choosing contraception, be sure to contact a visit doctor's office to get professional medical advice. Before prescribing this or that drug, the doctor will conduct an examination, which includes an examination on a chair, taking a smear for oncocytology. Also, if there are signs of endocrinopathy (increased hairiness, acne), it is necessary to examine the hormonal background. Since hormones thicken the blood, affect hemostasis (blood coagulation system), it makes sense to conduct a comprehensive examination of the state of the hemostasis system. In addition, it is recommended to do an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs (uterus and appendages) and mammary glands. All these procedures are minimally invasive, painless, they are easy to go through, and they will help to avoid possible complications against the background of long-term use of contraceptives.