Natural Birth Control
Natural birth control basically means people trying to reduce the risk of pregnancy without using any exterior forms of birth control. There is a lot of emphasis on timing and paying attention to the body’s rhythms.
Withdrawal
A birth control method that has been used for thousands of years, before technological advances in birth control. It means to withdraw the penis before ejaculation (cumming) so that the sperm do not swim up into the woman's vagina/cervix.
How effective is it?
Not very. For one, there is sperm in precum. Second, it can be hard for a man to know when to pull out or to pull out at the right time.
What are the advantages?
- There are no side effects.
- Can allow for spontaneity because no pills or "equipment" are needed
- It's free!
What are the disadvantages?
- It is not effective in preventing pregnancy.
- It prevents both partners from relaxing.
- It provides absolutely no protection from STI/HIV transmission.
Menstrual Cycle
When a woman learns the information to assess when her body’s fertile (able to get pregnant) and infertile (not able to get pregnant) on a day-to-day basis. Physiological evidence such as cervical fluid, body temperature, and cervical changes are used to tell fertile times of the month.
How effective is it?
If done correctly (and this can be difficult) it can be effective in preventing pregnancy. However, to be effective, it is essential to have access to education on how to use this method properly. It is also advantageous if the male partner is willing to participate in this education process.
What are the advantages?
- There are no negative side effects.
- It does not require "equipment": no barrier methods to put in the vagina, no spermicidal liquids, and no birth control pills to take.
- It is free!!
What are the disadvantages?
- This method is not recommended for teenagers because their menstrual cycles are still irregular making it hard to track fertility.
- There is a high risk of pregnancy because it requires patience and education.
- It is impractical if you are not in a committed and cooperative relationship with a sexual partner.
- You can only have intercourse during infertile days.
- There is no protection from STI/HIV transmission.
Hormonal Contraceptives
Barrier Methods & Spermicide
Emergency Contraceptive / Plan B / Morning After-Pill
Contraceptives page
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