[QUOTE=Lord Ashtar]
You know what’s more inconvienient than using a condom? Surgery.
Could you elaborate on that? I admit to not knowing as much about birth control as I probably could, since my girlfriend uses the patch and we use a condom during her fertile period (which I personally find much more convienient than a pregnancy).
[/QUOTE]
* Continuous Abstinence – Not gettin' any could be considered a downside. ;) If you're in a commited relationship, abstinence could be detrimental to the emotional happiness of one or more partners.
* Periodic Abstinence or Fertility Awareness Methods – These methods are 75 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, depending on how many fertility signs you monitor. FAM is easy and cheap, but it does require you to keep close track of your morning temperature, cervidcal fluid and cervical position. If you have an infant or an inconsistent sleep schedule and can't get a consistent 4 hour span of sleep at the same time everyday, your temperature readings will be useless. If you regularly consume alcohol or other drugs, or if you are sick, your temps will be useless. These methods do not prevent STD's, of course.
* The Male Condom – Lubrication, convenience, allergies, difficulty getting some partners to wear them, failure rate of around 13%
* Oral Contraceptives – "The pill may add to your risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, and blockage of the arteries, especially if you smoke. If you are over age 35 and smoke, or have a history of blood clots or breast, liver, or endometrial cancer, your doctor may advise you not to take the pill. Some antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of the pill in some women." Some women become crazy hormonal monsters on the pill. Some women suffer severe depression, weight gain, acne or other problems.
* The Mini-Pill – "The mini-pill does not protect against STDs or HIV. Mini-pills are 92 to 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy if used correctly. The mini-pill needs to be taken at the same time each day. A back-up method of birth control is needed if you take the pill more than three hours late. Some antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of the pill in some women."
* Copper T IUD (Intrauterine Device) – An IUD is a small device that is shaped in the form of a “T.” Your health care provider places it inside the uterus. The arms of the Copper T IUD contain some copper, which stops fertilization by preventing sperm from making their way up through the uterus into the fallopian tubes. If fertilization does occur, the IUD would prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. The Copper T IUD can stay in your uterus for up to 12 years. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. This IUD is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. You will need to visit your doctor to have it inserted and to make sure you are not having any problems. Not all doctors insert IUDs so check first before making your appointment.
* Progestasert IUD (Intrauterine Device) – Also a hormonal birth control. It needs to be surgically implanted by a doctor. Some women experience cramping, irregular bleeding. Does not protect against STD's. It needs to be replaced every year.
* Intrauterine System or IUS (Mirena) – Same problems as above, but lasts for 5 years
* The Female Condom – Same problems as male condoms, with a 5-21% failure rate.
* Depo-Provera – "can cause a temporary loss of bone density that increases the longer this method is used. The bone does start to grow after this method is stopped, but it may increase the risk of fracture and osteoporosis if used for a long time." You need to go to the doctor every three months for shots, which some women find inconvenient.
* Diaphragm, Cervical Cap or Shield – For a diaphragm, you need a doctor to “fit” you for one. The cervical shield comes in one size and you will not need a fitting. "The cervical cap is 84 to 91% effective at preventing pregnancy for women who have not had a child and 68 to 74% for women who have had a child. The cervical shield is 85% effective at preventing pregnancy. Barrier methods must be left in place for 6 to 8 hours after intercourse to prevent pregnancy and removed by 24 hours for the diaphragm and 48 for cap and shield. You will need to visit your doctor for a proper fitting for the diaphragm or cervical cap and a prescription for the cervical shield." They must be used with a spermicide, which many women are allergic to. They also need to be inserted vaginally, which some women are unwilling to do.
* Contraceptive Sponge - Also contains allergenic spermicide. "Before intercourse, you wet the sponge and place it, loop side down, up inside your vagina to cover the cervix. The sponge is 84 to 91% effective at preventing pregnancy in women who have not had a child and 68 to 80% for women who have had a child. The sponge is effective for more than one act of intercourse for up 24 hours. It needs to be left in for at least six hours after intercourse to prevent pregnancy and must be removed within 30 hours after it is inserted. There is a risk of getting Toxic Shock syndrome or TSS if the sponge is left in for more than 30 hours. The sponge does not protect against STDs or HIV." It also needs to be inserted vaginally, which some women are unwilling to do.
* The Patch (Ortho Evra) – Same hormonal side effects as the pill. You must remember to change it once a month. Some women experience a skin reaction to the adhesive.
* The Hormonal Vaginal Contraceptive Ring (NuvaRing) – Again, same hormonal side effects as the pill. "This birth control method is not recommended while breastfeeding because the hormone estrogen may decrease breast milk production." It also needs to be inserted vaginally, which some women are unwilling to do.
* Surgical Sterilization (Tubal Ligation or Vasectomy) – Non-reversable, no STD protection. Major surgery with attendant surgical risks for a woman.
* Nonsurgical Sterilization (Essure Permanent Birth Control System) – "This is the first non-surgical method of sterilizing women. A thin tube is used to thread a tiny spring-like device through the vagina and uterus into each fallopian tube. Flexible coils temporarily anchor it inside the fallopian tube. A Dacron-like mesh material embedded in the coils irritates the fallopian tubes’ lining to cause scar tissue to grow and eventually permanently plug the tubes. It can take about three months for the scar tissue to grow, so it is important to use another form of birth control during this time. Then you will have to return to your doctor for a test to see if scar tissue has fully blocked your tubes. - After 3 years of follow-up studies, Essure has been shown to be 99.8 % effective in preventing pregnancy."
* Emergency Contraception – Hormonal risks. "The pills are 75 to 89% effective at preventing pregnancy. Another type of emergency contraception is having the Copper T IUD put into your uterus within seven days of unprotected sex. This method is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. Neither method of emergency contraception protects against STDs or HIV.
Quotes above taken from and more information available here.
[QUOTE=Jebus H. Christ]
Maybe I am wrong, but can’t a woman use a pill for abortion in the first 50 days?
[/QUOTE]
“The Morning After Pill” is only useful in the first seven days after unprotected intercourse. Mifepreistone (RU-486), recently approved by the FDA, can be used for 49 days or less after the last menstrual cycle began. In the real world, this gives you, on average, 21 days after missing your period due to pregnancy (assuming a 28 day cycle). Mifepreistone is currently being investigated by the FDA because of reports of death connected with its use.