http://encarta.msn.com/media_461540547_761554942_-1_1/birth_control_options.html
<table class="mediatable" border=1> <col class="tableCol" align="left" width="84"> <col class="tableCol" align="left" width="174"> <col class="tableCol" align="left" width="94"> <col class="tableCol" align="left" width="174"> <col class="tableColLast" align="left" width="190"> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761590374/Birth_Control_Pill.html" target="_top">Birth Control Pill</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Prescription drug containing female sex hormones; a woman takes one pill daily for 21 days; prevents ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and/or prevents the lining of the uterus from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 95% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • More regular periods, reduced cramping, and less severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as headache, fatigue, and irritability<br/> • No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity<br/> • Some protection against ovarian and endometrial cancer, noncancerous breast tumors, ovarian cysts </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)<br/> • Rare but dangerous complications, including blood clotting and hypertension, particularly in women over 35 years who smoke<br/> • Must be taken daily </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761591309/Cervical_Cap.html" target="_top">Cervical Cap</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Thimble-shaped latex cap inserted into a woman's vagina over cervix to prevent sperm from entering uterus; used with spermicide. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 80% in women who have not given birth; 60% in women who have given birth. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Reusable<br/> • Can last for one to two years </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Needs to be fitted by a health-care professional<br/> • Difficult to fit women with an unusual cervix size<br/> • Difficult for some women to insert </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588806/Contraceptive_Injection.html" target="_top">Contraceptive Injection</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Hormonal injection given by a health-care professional in a woman's arm or buttock; prevents ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and/or prevents the lining of the uterus from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 99% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity<br/> • Effective for one to three months, depending on type used </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Requires regular visits to a health-care professional to administer the injection<br/> • May cause irregular bleeding, weight gain, sore breasts, nausea, and acne </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_701610448/Contraceptive_Patch.html" target="_top">Contraceptive Patch</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Skin patch worn by a woman for 21 days on the buttocks, stomach, upper arm, or upper torso; releases low doses of female sex hormones; prevents ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and/or prevents the lining of the uterus from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 95% to 99% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity<br/> • Regular use may result in shorter, more regular menstrual periods, while also decreasing premenstrual cramping and menstrual-related iron deficiency and acne. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Rare but dangerous complications, including blood clotting and hypertension, particularly in women over 35 years who smoke<br/> • Some medications, including antibiotics and anti-seizure, tuberculosis, and migraine drugs, can interfere with effectiveness </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_701610447/Contraceptive_Ring.html" target="_top">Contraceptive Ring</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Flexible ring inserted in a woman's vagina for 21 days; releases low doses of female sex hormones; prevents ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and/or prevents the lining of the uterus from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 95% to 99% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity<br/> • Regular use may result in shorter, more regular menstrual periods, while also decreasing premenstrual cramping and menstrual-related iron deficiency and acne </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • May cause vaginal irritation and discharge<br/> • May cause irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and mood change </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588761/Diaphragm_(contraception).html" target="_top">Diaphragm</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Shallow rubber cup with flexible rim inserted into a woman's vagina over cervix to prevent sperm from entering uterus; used with spermicide. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 80% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Reusable<br/> • Can last for one to two years </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Needs to be fitted by a health-care professional<br/> • Must be inserted before each act of sexual intercourse </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_701610446/Emergency_Contraception.html" target="_top">Emergency Contraception</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Methods used by a woman after unprotected intercourse to prevent fertilization of the egg or implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus. Two methods are available: emergency contraceptive pills or emergency insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD). </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Emergency contraceptive pills: 79% to 85% if taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse<br/> • IUD: 99% if inserted within 7 days of unprotected intercourse </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Prevents pregnancy when primary birth control fails during sex (for instance, if condom breaks or diaphragm or cervical cap dislodges); one or more birth control pills are skipped; or a woman is forced to have unprotected vaginal intercourse against her will </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Needs to be prescribed by a health-care professional </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588757/Condom.html" target="_top">Female Condom</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Polyurethane sac inserted into a woman's vagina over cervix to prevent sperm from entering uterus; may be used with a spermicide. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 79% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Reduces the risk of many STIs<br/> • Available over-the-counter<br/> • Inexpensive </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Lessens sensation<br/> • May break during intercourse </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588815/Fertility_Awareness_Methods.html" target="_top">Fertility Awareness Methods </a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Collection of techniques used by a woman, including checking body temperature or cervical mucus daily or recording menstrual cycles on a calendar, to determine the days when body is most fertile; abstinence or the use of a barrier method during this fertile period can prevent pregnancy. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 80% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • No medical or hormonal side effects<br/> • Inexpensive </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Requires commitment to consistently and accurately monitor fertility<br/> • More than one fertility awareness method should be used to improve effectiveness </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588787/Hormonal_Implant.html" target="_top">Hormonal Implant</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Six small capsules inserted by a health-care professional under the skin of a woman's upper arm; delivers small amounts of sex hormones to prevent ovaries from releasing egg. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 99.9% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Most effective form of birth control after continuous abstinence and sterilization surgery<br/> • Protects against pregnancy for up to five years<br/> • No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Possible scarring or, rarely, infection at insertion site<br/> • May cause irregular bleeding, headache, nausea, depression </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588791/Intrauterine_Device.html" target="_top">Intrauterine Device (IUD)</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Small device inserted by a health-care professional into a woman's uterus; prevents eggs from being fertilized and/or implanting in uterus. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 96% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Effective one to ten years, depending on type used<br/> • No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • May cause spotting between periods, longer, heavier periods, and cramping<br/> • Rare risk of uterine perforation or ectopic pregnancy </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588757/Condom.html" target="_top">Male Condom</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Sheath of latex, polyurethane, or animal tissue placed on erect penis; may be used with a spermicide. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 86% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Reduces the risk of many STIs<br/> • Available over-the-counter<br/> • Inexpensive </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Lessens sensation<br/> • May break during intercourse </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588849/Spermicide.html" target="_top">Spermicide</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Sperm-killing chemicals in the form of foams, creams, jellies, films, or suppositories that are inserted into a woman's vagina to block the cervix, preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 74% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Available over the counter<br/> • Can be used with other methods to improve effectiveness </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Only partially effective against STI transmission<br/> • Possible allergies or irritation </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588865/Tubal_Sterilization.html" target="_top">Tubal Sterilization</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Surgical procedure to permanently block a woman's fallopian tubes to prevent eggs from reaching sperm. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 99.9% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Permanently prevents pregnancy<br/> • No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Reactions to surgery may include infection, bleeding, injury to intestine, reaction to anesthesia<br/> • Increased chance of ectopic pregnancy<br/> • Generally irreversible </td> </tr> <tr class="tableRow"> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"><a class="qv" href="http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761559287/Vasectomy.html" target="_top">Vasectomy</a></td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> Surgical procedure to permanently block a male's vas deferens (sperm duct) to prevent sperm from reaching eggs. </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> 99.9% </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Permanently prevents pregnancy<br/> • No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity </td> <td class="tableCell" align="left" colspan="1"> • Not effective against STI transmission<br/> • Reactions to surgery may include infection, blood clot near testes, bruising, swelling, or tenderness of scrotum<br/> • Generally irreversible </td> </tr> </table>
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