While abstaining from sexual intercourse is considered the most effective way of preventing pregnancy, there are many different types of birth control medication or contraceptives with nearly 100 percent effectiveness. Birth control pills were initially meant to prevent pregnancy among women, but they now have many uses, such as balancing your hormone levels, treating acne, and regulating your monthly periods. In this guide, we will tell you all you need to know about contraception San Antonio.
How Do Birth Control Medications Work?
Pregnancy occurs when a mature egg from the ovary becomes fertilized by the sperm. This fertilized egg then attaches itself to the uterus, where it grows into a baby. The hormones in your body help control the ovulation process and help your body prepare well for the fertilized egg. If you do not want to become pregnant, there are many different birth control pills, such as the vaginal ring, intrauterine devices, the patch, and the pill. These hormonal contraceptives contain low amounts of progestin and estrogen that work by controlling the natural hormones in your body to prevent pregnancy. For example, hormonal contraceptives make ovulation difficult by thickening the cervical mucus, thus preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg. They also alter the uterus’s normal lining to prevent the fertilized egg’s implantation.
What Are the Types of Birth Control Pills?
Contraceptives can be grouped into hormonal and non-hormonal, where hormonal methods work by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, and non-hormonal methods prevent pregnancies by preventing contact between the egg and the sperm. Below are the main types of birth control pills:
- Vaginal rings
Vaginal rings are among the hormonal birth control options containing regulated estrogen and progestin. It is a small ring that is worn inside a woman’s vagina, and the hormones present work to prevent egg fertilization. Vaginal rings need to be replaced at least once monthly to guarantee their effectiveness. If used properly, vaginal rings are approximately 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
- The Patch
Like the vaginal rings, the patch also contains hormones, progestin, and estrogen, but the patch is usually worn on the back, stomach, or buttocks. The patch needs to be changed once weekly for three weeks. If used properly, the patch is about 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
- Intrauterine Device
These are small, flexible, plastic, T-shaped substances that help prevent the sperm from fertilizing an egg. IUDs provide a very reliable form of birth control as they can serve you for nearly one decade.
- Cervical cap
Cervical caps are inserted deep in the woman’s vagina to cover the cervix and prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg. Cervical caps have proven to be more effective among women who have never given birth.
- Condoms
Condoms help prevent pregnancy by preventing the sperm from going through the vagina. Male and female condoms also reduce the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Aurora OB/GYN is a well-known gynecology and obstetrics practice in San Antonio, Texas, that provides patients with comprehensive preventative care and exceptional aesthetic services. Led by Dr. Karen Allsup, MD, FACOG, and the team of well-skilled health experts offers you the highest quality of gynecology services, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and prenatal care. Get started today and schedule an appointment, or call us at 210-547-4700.
