It is wise to know the different birth control types to make sure you do not bring a child into the world in an unplanned manner. Birth control is basically the use of different devices, sexual practices, agents, and surgical processes to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Knowing the different birth control types is necessary to decide when you want to have a child. There are different devices for both sexes, and some birth control methods are more reliable compared to others. For instance, if the contraceptive pill is used properly, it is found to be 99% effective. But many people end up making mistakes in using this and become pregnant by accident.

Know the different birth control types to stay safe:

Hormonal birth control methods
These include stick-on patches, birth control pills, vaginal rings, and implants. These make use of hormones that are similar to what is produced in the woman’s body to prevent the release of an egg. This ensures that no egg gets fertilized by the sperms. But how you use it will decide how effective this method is. Hormonal birth control methods are most effective when used rightly.

• You must take multiple birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You will need prescriptions to buy such pills.
• There are emergency contraception measures like the contraceptive patches. These are transdermal patches applied to skin that release synthetic progestin and estrogen hormones. These can be work every week for 3 weeks together, on the buttocks or lower abdomen. This is considered to be 91% effective.
• A vaginal ring is a plastic-made, flexible ring releasing a low dosage of estrogen and progestin across three weeks. It can prevent ovulation and makes the cervical mucous thicker to prevent the sperm from reaching it.
• An implant refers to a rod releasing progestin slowly and inserted under a woman’s upper arm skin. It is effective for almost four years and may be removed anytime.
• The morning-after pill can prevent pregnancy following intercourse; it stops ovulation, fertilization, and implantation of embryos. But this can be used within 72 hours after having unprotected sex; it is typically 95% effective when used within 24 hours.

Barrier birth control methods
These help to form a barrier so that sperms cannot reach the egg. An example is a male condom made from latex which is durable and effective against STDs. When used rightly it can stop pregnancy in 98% of cases. The female condom refers to a thin plastic tube that a woman can put inside the vagina partially. This also prevents STDs and is 80% effective for birth control. IUDs (intrauterine devices) are tiny plastic devices which doctors can insert inside the uterus.

Permanent contraception methods
Sterilization is one such method and in females, it is tubal ligation where the surgeon blocks the fallopian tubes or cuts these to prevent any fertilization in the future. In tubal implant, a coil gets placed inside the fallopian tubes and tissues grow around this, blocking these tubes. Vasectomy is performed in males to make the men sterile. Here, the tubes through which the sperm passes are either blocked or cut. This is 99% effective for birth control.