| CONTRACEPTIVES
are DECEPTIVE |
|
Abstain,
Let’s face it, you can’t get pregnant if you aren’t
having sex. Birth Control can't protect you catching
STD's and a broken heart. |
| Enough
said. All birth control methods are less than 100% effective.
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| Male
Condom |
| Effectiveness:
Average failure rate of 12% (greater protection against
pregnancy is possible when used with vaginal contraceptives,
such as foam, a sponge, diaphragm or cervical cap) |
|
| Female
Condom Effectiveness: Average failure rate of 21% |
|
| Diaphragm
Effectiveness: About 80% effective when used with a
spermicidal. |
|
| Cervical
Cap Effectiveness: Average Failure Rate: 18-36% |
|
| IUD's
- NOTE: MAY BE AN ABORTIVE METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL as
it serves (sometimes) to stop the implantation of a
fertilized egg. Effectiveness: Typical effectiveness
is 97%. |
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| The
Pill Effectiveness: "Combination pill" is 99% effective,
the "progestin-only" pill is about 97%. Overview The
Pill is a prescription method of birth control (a monthly
series of pills taken on a daily basis) classified according
to the synthetic hormones that they contain. Most contain
a combination of two hormones, progestin and estrogen.
The estrogen essentially stops the development of the
egg in the ovary. The progestin changes the mucus in
the cervix and helps prevent the sperm from reaching
the egg. In addition, the lining of the uterus does
not fully develop so there is less chance that a fertilized
egg will become implanted. The "mini-pill" contains
only one hormone, progestin. It prevents the development
of the egg and changes the cervical mucus (which helps
to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg). Note: The
pill may act in an abortive way. Modern combination
pills contain less estrogen than their predecessors
allowing eggs to be released by the ovaries up to 10%
of the time. Therefore, there is a chance that a fertilized
egg will reach the uterus (although it will not be able
to implanted). |
|
| Depo
Provera Effectiveness: Greater than 99% effective Overview
Depo-Provera is a progestin (hormone) injection given
by a doctor every three months (you must return to your
health care provider thereafter for future injections).
Although slightly different than the progestin in Norplant,
Depo-Provera, and the mini-pill, these injections work
in the same way. Depo-Provera works by preventing the
development of the egg and by changing the cervical
mucus, thus helping to prevent the sperm from reaching
the egg. Unlike the "Pill," it does not contain estrogen
or need to be taken every day. |
|
| Norplant
Effectiveness: Greater than 99% effective (varies based
on woman's weight and the length of time Norplant is
used) Overview Norplant is a progestin (hormone) implant,
consisting of six small plastic rods surgically placed
under the skin of a woman's upper arm. A low dose of
progestin is then continuously released for up to five
years. Norplant prevents pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation
and by thickening the cervical mucus. NOTE: Women taking
Norplant have been found to ovulate 11-73% of the time,
making conception quite possible. If conception does
occur, changes in the uterus will cause the abortion
of the fertilized egg. |
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| Vaginal
Spermicides Effectiveness: Average failure rate of 21%
Overview A spermicide is a chemical designed to kill
sperm, inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse.
Spermicides include creams, jellies, foams and vaginal
inserts or suppositories. They prevent the sperm from
entering the woman's uterus and fertilizing an egg.
Spermicidal creams and jellies are designed for use
with a diaphragm or cervical cap, but can also be inserted
directly into the vagina with an applicator. Disadvantages:
Best results when used with another barrier (condom,
diaphragm or cervical cap) Need to be inserted into
the vagina 10 to 30 minutes before sex Some women are
allergic to certain spermicides Must be used every time
intercourse occurs |
|
| Sponge
Effectiveness: Average failure rate of 18-36% Overview
A small, disposable sponge (approximately two inches
in diameter) containing spermicide. The sponge is moistened
with water, inserted into the vagina and placed over
the cervix. Disadvantages: Water is required to wet
sponge prior to insertion Less effective for women who
have already borne children May be at higher risk of
vaginal yeast infections Some women may be allergic
to the sponge Increased risk for toxic shock syndrome
Sponge should remain in place at least six hours after
intercourse Can become dislodged during intercourse
Cannot be used more than once Does not protect against
sexually-transmitted diseases |
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| Morning
After Pill: NOTE: MAY BE AN ABORTIVE METHOD OF BIRTH
CONTROL as it serves (in some cases) to stop the implantation
of a fertilized egg. Effectiveness: Your risk of becoming
pregnant during your most fertile days (halfway between
two menstrual periods) is as high as high as 30%. Using
the MAP decreases your chance of becoming pregnant by
about 75%. For instance, a 30% chance of becoming pregnant
would be reduced to less than 8%. Overview The morning
after pill (MAP) is a treatment which aims to prevent
pregnancy by temporarily stopping eggs from being produced,
by stopping fertilization, or by stopping implantation
of a fertilized egg in the uterus (MAP working in this
manner is abortive). The treatment consists of two doses
of hormone pills: the first taken as soon as possible
after unprotected intercourse, and the second taken
12 hours later. NOTE: MAP is used only for emergency
situations and should not be used as an ongoing birth
control method. In addition, the MAP will not terminate
an existing pregnancy and may be harmful to the fetus.
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