Some kinds of birth control work better than others. And different methods suit different people. Let's dive in to the various types of birth control that are available to you.
A diaphragm has a medium failure rate. It's a soft rubber dome that fits over the cervix, blocking sperm from getting into the womb. A birth control sponge (also known as contraceptive sponge or the sponge) is a birth control method with a medium failure rate.
A condom is a thin, tube-like cover worn over the male penis during sex (in case of male condoms) or inserted into the female vagina before sex (for female condoms). Let's find out more about them.
The Copper-T IUD, which is often sold under the name 'Multiload' is a non-hormonal birth control device that sits in your uterus or womb. It’s a t-shaped piece of plastic wrapped with a coil of copper-wire. That's why some people call it the 'coil'.
The hormonal IUD is put in place by a doctor, and can stay in the body for up to five years. It works by giving off a steady low dose of the hormone progestogen (levonorgestrel).
It’s one thing to know about condoms but another thing actually to use them. If you’re worried about talking about condoms with your partner, there’s a good chance that your partner is worried too.
Outercourse can mean different things to different people. Some people consider outercourse as any sex play without sexual intercourse (when a man inserts his penis into a woman’s vagina). For others, outercourse means sex play without any penetration (oral, anal, vaginal).
It’s a pill that women swallow every day. Combined birth control pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin. 'Mini-pills', or progestin-only pills, only contain progestin.
Withdrawal is when a man pulls his penis out of a woman’s vagina before he ejaculates – the moment where semen comes out of his penis. It’s also known as the pull out method or coitus interruptus.
You’ve had intercourse without using contraception, even though you don’t want to be pregnant. Or you think something could have gone wrong with your contraception – perhaps you forgot to take your pill, or a condom burst. What can you do?
