Whether you’re getting it on the regular or worried you may have forgotten how to do it, birth control is every sexually active (or frustrated) gal’s concern. Sure, there are many methods to choose from “ but which is the right one? Read on for the lowdown on how to be safe and smart while at play.
What’s the deal on stopping your menstrual cycle?
In the past decade our periods have gone from being an unavoidable curse to completely optional. There are many kinds of hormonal contraceptives that will stop your menstrual cycle all together, or limit you to a few periods a year. Many doctors are divided on the subject: some argue that we don’t know enough about the long-term effects of menstrual suppression, while others contend that since the period that accompanies the traditional 21-day pill isn’t natural menstruation anyway, going period-free isn’t the big leap it’s made out to be.
Is it really possible to get pregnant even if a guy pulls out?
Assuming your guy actually pulls out in time “ which requires a massive amount of trust between you “ yes, you can still get pregnant. The issue is with pre-ejaculate, which may contain a small amount of sperm. To be safe, it’s smart to have your guy hit the bathroom before the bedroom to clear out any sperm that may be hanging around in his internal plumbing. According to Planned Parenthood, the withdrawal method is 96 percent effective if always done correctly “ if not, the effectiveness slips to 73 per cent.
Will using the birth control pill make it harder to get pregnant later?
When an audience member asked Dr. Oz this on his show, his simple answer was no, it doesn’t. There are certainly women out there who think their years of popping the hormone-laden pill did made it more difficult for them to conceive, but science has yet to find evidence of this.
Is the morning after pill safe?
The morning after pill, like the aptly named Plan B, is to be taken following sex without reliable contraception (like in the case of a broken condom). When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it prevents pregnancy by either temporarily stopping the release of an egg from the ovary, by preventing fertilization or by preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. It is not an abortion pill and, if you’re already pregnant when you take it, it will not harm the fetus. The pill is available over the pharmacy counter for about $35, side effects are minimal and your cycle should return to normal.
What’s really my best option for birth control?
Birth control is all about finding what works best for you and your lifestyle. The birth control pill is 99.7 percent effective if taken properly, though some women find it can cause them to gain wait, break out or decrease their sex drive. With so many brands and varying hormonal combos, sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find a pill that works. Condoms, on the other hand, boast 98 per cent effectiveness and don’t involve playing with your body’s hormones. There are also a host of other devices, from IUDs to the hormonal ring, that are effective over 95 per cent of the time. The best strategy: talk to your doctor and “ just like dating “ don’t be afraid to try a few before you find the right one.
