How effective is birth control, in preventing unwanted and unplanned pregnancies? Depending on the type of birth control used, the success rate will wary. Birth control can be divided into two, hormonal and barrier.
In the hormonal birth control, hormones change the ovulation cycle of a women and prevent the egg releasing from the ovaries. Barrier birth control prevents the sperm from reaching the egg and this prevents pregnancy.
Natural birth control methods – These methods can be divided into withdrawal method, breast feeding and abstinence. The withdrawal is considered the most risky birth control method used by couples. Women who exclusively feed their babies, breast milk for six months, find this birth control method very effective. Abstinence has a 100% success rate.
Over the counter – Condoms, both male and female, spermicides and sponge are over the counter birth control methods that are adopted by individuals, who are sexually active. If you check how effective is birth control, when these methods are adopted, you will be surprised to know that their effectiveness depends to a large extent on their correct usage.
Prescription contraceptives – These include the Pill, Nuvaring, Ortho Evra patch, Depo Provera injections, Mirena IUD, Paragard IUD, Implanon, Diaphragms and Cervical cap. All these methods use hormones, barriers and devices as effective modes of contraception. They have a very high success rate and are preferred by most women.
Permanent options – Vasectomy and tubal sterilization are surgical methods that are adopted by couples, who have babies and are searching for a permanent option to prevent pregnancy.
Couples who do not adopt any form of birth control have a very high rate of unplanned pregnancies.
How effective is birth control used, also depends on the age and lifestyle of the couple in question. Irrespective of which birth control is used, it is always advisable that you consult the doctor, regarding the effectiveness and side effects of each method.