Pregnancy is not always a word a woman is prepared to hear. Many factors determine if a woman is not ready to have a child, including career, health and age. Pregnancy prevention is possible and often inexpensive. Certain pregnancy prevention options are available without a visit to a doctor. Avoiding unplanned pregnancies is possible for both men and women and is readily available for those who do not wish to conceive.
Abstinence
Abstinence is not just about religion. Abstinence is about making a choice not to have sex or to engage in sexual activities with another person. This technique is the only foolproof method to preventing pregnancy. Another benefit to abstinence is prevention of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Choosing to stay away from sex, however, may not be a pregnancy prevention solution to married couples who wish to have intimacy but do not wish to conceive.
Barrier Methods
Contraceptives are various methods of pregnancy prevention, including what is categorized as "barrier methods." Contraceptive barriers are condoms, diaphragms and spermicides. Spermicides are gel-like applications applied to diaphragms or condoms before intercourse. A barrier method prevents sperm from contacting an ovulating egg, thus preventing conception. Contraceptives, such as barrier methods, are available at drugstores and do not require doctor prescriptions.
Hormonal Methods
Hormonal methods are commonly known as birth control pills, but they can also be oral contraceptives, NuvaRing vaginal insert, progestin and estrogen patches, progestin implants and progestin injections. To use a hormonal method, a woman must have a prescription from her doctor.
Intrauterine Devices or IUDs
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are implants placed inside a woman, or right under the skin by an OB/GYN. Devices such as Copper-T IUD and Mirena Intrauterine System are effective pregnancy prevention methods but are required to stay in place for years at a time. Before attempting to conceive, a woman with this type of device implanted would to have the device removed by her doctor.
Female Sterilization
Female sterilization is also a surgical procedure, such as "tying the tubes." Transcervical sterilization and tubal ligation procedures cause an obstruction in the fallopian tubes, preventing eggs from reaching the uterus. In some cases, female sterilization is not reversible and is permanent.
Male Sterilization
Male sterilization is called a "vasectomy." It is a simple outpatient procedure that prevents sperm from entering seminal stream. In some cases, a vasectomy can be reversed and a man can become fertile again.
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