As anyone who has had a sex ed class knows, the most effective method of contraception is abstinence. This is the only method that is, of course, one hundred percent effective. However, if this is not a route you want to go down, it’s good to know what other choices you have in terms of effective contraceptives. Some methods are better than others, so knowing the difference is important if you want to stay safe and enjoy your sex life without any worries. Read on to find out more.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives – LARPs
A long-acting reversible contraceptive is said to be around 99 percent effective. The positive point about this method is that it lasts for up to ten years without you having to do anything or remember to take any pills. The downside is that it is only effective against pregnancy, and if you want to stay safe from STDs, you’ll need to use a barrier contraceptive as well.
There are two types of LARP. They are the intrauterine device (this can last for up to 10 years) or the implant (this lasts for five years).
Hormonal Contraceptives
As the name suggests, hormonal contraceptives prevent pregnancy by changing the hormones in the body. They can either be taken in pill form or via an injection. If you opt for the latter, it is called the Depo Provera injection. The former has a number of names as there are various pills on offer. They include the progestogen-only pill (POP) and the combined pill.
With the pill, you must take it every day (although there may be days when it is not required – this will depend on the pill you have been prescribed). If you do, it is 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. However, it is easy to forget, and pregnancy can therefore occur. The injection is given every three months. This is also 99 percent effective.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods are so called because they create a physical barrier preventing sperm from entering the vagina. The most common form of barrier method is the condom, which not only prevents pregnancy when used in the right way, but also prevents STDs. There are also internal condoms for women to wear.
When used properly, barrier methods are 99 percent effective. However, not everyone likes to use them, they can break, which could mean unwanted pregnancy and a visit to gcaus.com.au for assistance, and you may not have them when you need them. All of this means that, although they are effective, they are perhaps less reliable than other methods mentioned on this list.
Fertility Awareness
Some people prefer to get in tune with their bodies and understand when they are fertile and when it is ‘safe’ to have unprotected sex. The idea is that you can then plan when and when not to have sex and avoid pregnancy in this way.
This is the least effective method of contraception on this list. Most women’s cycles are not the same from month to month, and the difference in a day can be the difference between pregnancy or not.
