Overview
To understand how birth control works, it is important to know what happens during reproduction. A woman has two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg into a fallopian tube. This is called ovulation. In most women, it occurs about 12–14 days before the start of the menstrual period.
A woman can get pregnant if she has sex around the time of ovulation. During sex, the man ejaculates sperm into the vagina. The sperm travel up through the mucus of the cervix, through the uterus, and into the fallopian tubes.
If a sperm joins with an egg in a fallopian tube, fertilization occurs (see figure on page 2). The fertilized egg then moves down the fallopian tube to the uterus where it can attach and grow in the endometrium (lining of the uterus).
Birth control methods work in a number of ways. They may:
Block the sperm from reaching the egg
Kill or damage sperm
Keep eggs from being released each month
Change the lining of the uterus so the fertilized egg does not attach to it
Thicken the mucus in the cervix so sperm can not easily pass through it
There are many types of birth control, including barrier methods, hormonal methods, IUDs, fertility awareness, and sterilization. Couples may find some methods of birth control meet their needs better than others. Here are some things to think about when choosing a method:
How well the method works and the side effects
How likely you are to use it according to the directions
Your age and overall health
How often you have sex
Whether a prescription is needed
Whether you want to have children later
Whether it helps protect against STDs
Certain types of birth control also offer added health benefits. Discuss the pros and cons of each method with your doctor so you can choose the best method for you.
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