Oral Contraception

Oral contraception refers to women taking birth control pills containing progestin and estrogen that prevents ovulation to aid contraception. Contraceptive pills containing only progestin work by blocking the implantation of fertilized egg on the wall of the uterus.

The same principle is used in methods like hormone injections that can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 months. However, since regular use of hormone shots are known to reduce bone density, health experts advise women against taking these shots continuously for more than 2 years.

Another method that works on the same principle is the hormonal birth control patch. This patch which is applied to the outer arm, upper torso, abdomen or buttocks gradually releases hormones into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. Then there are the Intra Uterine Devices (IUD) – small structures that are inserted into the woman’s uterus by a healthcare professional. Although the working principle of IUD and birth control pills are the same, doctors recommend IUD only for women who have already had a baby.

Next is the vaginal contraceptive ring – a narrow, flexible ring that a woman can insert into the vagina on her own. The ring that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy has to be changed every 3 weeks.

Sterilization

This is the only permanent method of birth control. In women, sterilization is done through tubal ligation – a process that blocks the fallopian tubes in such a way that the eggs are no longer able to reach the uterus. In men, it is called vasectomy – a procedure that blocks off the vas deferens so that sperm cannot pass through.

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