Birth Control: How it works
The different ways that Birth Control methods work inside our bodies can be categorized into three methods; Hormonal Methods, Barrier Methods, and Implantable Methods. The Hormonal Methods work by controlling when the ovaries release eggs. This method also can, sometimes, change the lining of the uterus to make the joining of the sperm to the egg nearly impossible. The Birth Control Pill is the most commonly used hormonal birth control. The Birth Control Pill is taken once a day AT THE SAME TIME to maintain stabilized hormones in the body at all times and ensure that the pills will work to their full potential. By taking the pill daily and at the same time, the eggs will only be released during the one week per month in which the pill is not being taken.
Another example of a hormonal birth control is the patch. The patch can be placed in a variety of different places on the body including the stomach, upper body, outer arm, or the buttox. The patch works exactly how the pill does, it releases hormones into the blood stream that control when eggs are released. The patch also thickens cervical mucus to prevent the sperm and egg from joining. The patch is placed on the body once every three weeks and is not worn the fourth week. Then, we have Barrier Methods. Barrier Methods are used each time sexual intercourse is preformed. There are many different types of Barrier Methods. Depending on which method that is being used, a device is either placed into the vagina or onto the penis before intercourse occurs to prevent the egg and sperm from joining together. Barrier Methods' main purpose is to keep sperm out of contact with unfertilized eggs. The most common form of Barrier Method is the male condom. Condoms are placed over the penis immediately before vaginal intercourse. The condom works by remaining on the penis during vaginal intercourse in order to keep sperm from joining an egg. Condoms are most effective when used with vaginal spermicide, which also aids in the prevention of sperm and egg joining by killing the sperm. The third Birth Control method is the Implantable Methods, methods of birth control that prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. The implantable rod is one example of this method. The rod is inserted into the upper arm and releases progestin which, just as in Hormonal Methods, changes the lining of the uterus as well as the cervical mucus in order to prevent the egg and sperm from meeting.
Side Effects and Disadvantages:
Although Birth Control Methods can protect against STDs as well as unwanted pregnancy there are side effects and disadvantages that can occur. For examples, while on the Birth Control Pill or The Patch, users may experiences unwanted symptoms such as breast tenderness, bloating, bleeding between periods and nausea with some vomiting. These symptoms, however, are only a response to the change in hormones through the body and should clear up within the first three or four months. Also, serious side effects may occur if a woman is taking birth control who is 35 or older, is overweight, has a blood clotting disorder, has diabetes, has high blood pressure, has high cholesterol, needs prolonged bed rest, or is a smoker. A common misunderstanding about the birth control pill as well as the patch is that they causes breast cancer later on in life. This statement is somewhat false. Medical studies have proven that the pill and patch have a slight, if any, effect on whether or not a woman will develop breast cancer or not.
Disadvantages of the condom include allergies to latex, which can be solved since non-latex condoms can be purchased as well,
Disadvantages of having the rod implanted inside of the upper arm can be that a woman with breast cancer cannot use the rod, also a woman's period can either stop occurring or become long and heavy, spotting and light bleeding can also occur. Not so serious side effects can also occur. These include discoloring or scarring where the rod was implanted, headaches, infection or pain where rod was implanted (very uncommon), nausea, sore breasts, and weight gain. Serious problems, although very rare, can happen. Such problems may be new breast lumps, bleeding or pus at area of insertion, yellowing of skin and/or eyes, and the implant could come out of your body. Any user who experiences any of these symptoms should report to their doctors immediately for further observation.
The different ways that Birth Control methods work inside our bodies can be categorized into three methods; Hormonal Methods, Barrier Methods, and Implantable Methods. The Hormonal Methods work by controlling when the ovaries release eggs. This method also can, sometimes, change the lining of the uterus to make the joining of the sperm to the egg nearly impossible. The Birth Control Pill is the most commonly used hormonal birth control. The Birth Control Pill is taken once a day AT THE SAME TIME to maintain stabilized hormones in the body at all times and ensure that the pills will work to their full potential. By taking the pill daily and at the same time, the eggs will only be released during the one week per month in which the pill is not being taken.
Another example of a hormonal birth control is the patch. The patch can be placed in a variety of different places on the body including the stomach, upper body, outer arm, or the buttox. The patch works exactly how the pill does, it releases hormones into the blood stream that control when eggs are released. The patch also thickens cervical mucus to prevent the sperm and egg from joining. The patch is placed on the body once every three weeks and is not worn the fourth week. Then, we have Barrier Methods. Barrier Methods are used each time sexual intercourse is preformed. There are many different types of Barrier Methods. Depending on which method that is being used, a device is either placed into the vagina or onto the penis before intercourse occurs to prevent the egg and sperm from joining together. Barrier Methods' main purpose is to keep sperm out of contact with unfertilized eggs. The most common form of Barrier Method is the male condom. Condoms are placed over the penis immediately before vaginal intercourse. The condom works by remaining on the penis during vaginal intercourse in order to keep sperm from joining an egg. Condoms are most effective when used with vaginal spermicide, which also aids in the prevention of sperm and egg joining by killing the sperm. The third Birth Control method is the Implantable Methods, methods of birth control that prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. The implantable rod is one example of this method. The rod is inserted into the upper arm and releases progestin which, just as in Hormonal Methods, changes the lining of the uterus as well as the cervical mucus in order to prevent the egg and sperm from meeting.
Side Effects and Disadvantages:
Although Birth Control Methods can protect against STDs as well as unwanted pregnancy there are side effects and disadvantages that can occur. For examples, while on the Birth Control Pill or The Patch, users may experiences unwanted symptoms such as breast tenderness, bloating, bleeding between periods and nausea with some vomiting. These symptoms, however, are only a response to the change in hormones through the body and should clear up within the first three or four months. Also, serious side effects may occur if a woman is taking birth control who is 35 or older, is overweight, has a blood clotting disorder, has diabetes, has high blood pressure, has high cholesterol, needs prolonged bed rest, or is a smoker. A common misunderstanding about the birth control pill as well as the patch is that they causes breast cancer later on in life. This statement is somewhat false. Medical studies have proven that the pill and patch have a slight, if any, effect on whether or not a woman will develop breast cancer or not.
Disadvantages of the condom include allergies to latex, which can be solved since non-latex condoms can be purchased as well,
Disadvantages of having the rod implanted inside of the upper arm can be that a woman with breast cancer cannot use the rod, also a woman's period can either stop occurring or become long and heavy, spotting and light bleeding can also occur. Not so serious side effects can also occur. These include discoloring or scarring where the rod was implanted, headaches, infection or pain where rod was implanted (very uncommon), nausea, sore breasts, and weight gain. Serious problems, although very rare, can happen. Such problems may be new breast lumps, bleeding or pus at area of insertion, yellowing of skin and/or eyes, and the implant could come out of your body. Any user who experiences any of these symptoms should report to their doctors immediately for further observation.