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Ways of Family Planning

Many women use family planning and contraceptive methods to control their reproductive cycles and health. There are a number of options to control conception. Options include natural family planning, barrier methods, internal contraception, hormonal contraception and permanent conception prevention.

Most of these methods carry some sort of risk to balance the benefit of conception prevention. To make an informed decision, you must know both the risks and benefits of your chosen option. Contraception efficacy statistics are provided by the 2007 edition of "Contraceptive Technology."

  1. Natural Family Planning

    • Natural Family Planning (NFP) works with the female menstrual cycle to either prevent or achieve pregnancy. NFP may use basal body temperature, cervical mucus and cervix position to predict times with sex will not result in pregnancy.

      Natural Family Planning has no risks and is 95-97% effective if it is practiced correctly in any of it's three forms. You can find instruction and resources at Couple to Couple League website.

    Barrier Methods

    • Barrier methods place something physical between the sperm and the egg to prevent conception. Condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps and cervical sponges are all forms of barrier method contraception.

      • Condoms are inexpensive, easy to get and easy to use. Male condoms are 98% effective and Female condoms are 95% effective. The most common side effect is latex allergy.

      • Diaphrams must be fitted by a certified health care provider and should be checked ever 18 months or after any weight gain or loss of more than 20 pounds or pregnancy. Diaphrams are 94% effective. The most common side effects are allergic response and increased risk of urinary tract infection.

      • Cervical caps must be fitted by a certified health care provider and should be checked annually and refitted after any vaginal delivery. Cervical caps may not fit all women. Cervical Caps are approximately 80% effective. Risks include allergic response and increased risk of urinary tract infection.

      • Cervical sponge is 90% effective in women who have never been pregnant, and 80% effective in women who have already had a child. Cervical sponges do not require fitting by a health care provider or a prescription. Risks include allergic reaction, a risk of toxic shock syndrome and a higher failure rate in women with previous pregnancies.

    Internal Contraception

    • Internal methods of contraception include IUDs and NuvaRing®. Both of these methods require an exam and prescription from a health care provider.

      • The copper IUD has no hormone component. It is 99% effective. The progestin treated IUD is 99.8% effective. Risks include uterine perforation, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy risk and heavier cramping and bleeding with periods.

      • NuvaRing® is more than 99% effective and requires a prescription from a health care provider. Side effects are similar to hormonal birth control.

    Hormonal Contraception

    • Hormonal contraception includes all forms of birth control pills, patch or shots and requires a health care provider prescription. When used appropriately, hormonal contraception is more than 99% effective. Just a few of the many risks include higher rates of blood clots, strokes, heart attack, hypertension, depression, migraines, weight gain, and certain forms of cancer.

    Sterilization

    • Male and female sterilization are almost 100% effective after the first three months. These are surgical procedures and should be considered permanent. Risks include surgical complications, and autoimmune

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