Birth control is any device, medication, or act that is followed for preventing pregnancy. There are various effective modes of birth control, and determining the right one depends not just only on the women’s health but also on factors like any plans to have children in the future. Discussed herein are some of the effective modes of birth control your doctor may recommend.

Sterilization
This type of contraception is ideal for couples looking for a long-term solution and can be done for both men and women. In women, this is done by tying the fallopian tubes to keep the sperm from fertilization and preventing the egg from reaching the uterus. It is ideal for those women who do not plan to have any children after the procedure as tubal ligation is not reversible. The sterilization process for men is vasectomy. In this surgery, the vas deferens that transports the sperms are snipped and sealed to ensure that the sperm does not travel out of the testes. 

Birth-c ontrol Implant
This is another one of the effective, long-term, and hassle-free modes of birth control. Nexaplanon is a very small implant that is placed in a woman’s arm. This matchstick-sized implant then releases progestin, and not estrogen, which leads to the thickening of mucus in the cervix. The hormone is released over three years, which is ideal for women waiting for a couple of years to start a family or to effectively gap the difference between births. This method has a lower chance of failure than even female sterilization.

Intrauterine Devices
These are small T-shaped devices that are placed inside the uterus. Some of the brands for these devices have products that can be kept in the body for up to 10 years and require women to take no other steps to prevent pregnancies. There are two types of devices available: one is a copper variant and the other is made of plastic and small amounts of progestin. This is ideal for those looking for a reversible and long-term method that allows them to reconsider their decisions to have a child.

Oral Forms of Progestin
Progestin pills, also referred to mini-pills, contain just that hormone. They are meant to be taken daily without any breaks for it to be effective. The pill is not available without a prescription.

Emergency Contraception Pills
As the name suggests, these are to be taken only in emergency cases when intercourse has happened without any birth control or when birth control has failed. This is to be taken within five days after intercourse, with it showing the maximum effect when taken soon after the act. There are several over-the-counter options of emergency contraceptive pills available that contain levonorgestrel. Other than that, there are those containing ulipristal and can be obtained only with a doctor’s prescription.