All women and men should have con¬trol over if and when they become par¬ents. Making decisions about birth control, or contraception is not easy—there are many things to think about.

 There is no “best” method of birth control. Each method has its own pros and cons. Some methods work better than others do at preventing pregnancy.

  The birth control method you choose should take into account:

•    Your overall health
•    How often you have sex
•    The no of sexual partners you have
•    If you want to have children
•    How well each method works in preventing pregnancy
•    Any Potential side effects
•    Your Comfort level using the method

Here is a list of birth control methods with estimates of effectiveness, or how well they work in preventing pregnancy when used correctly, for each method:

(1).Continuous Abstinence – This means not having sexual intercourse at any time. It is the only sure way to prevent pregnancy and protect against HIV and other STDs. This method is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy and STDs.

(2). Periodic Abstinence or Fertility Awareness Methods - A woman who has a regular menstrual cycle has about seven or more fertile days or days when she is able to get preg¬nant, each month. Periodic absti¬nence means you do not have sex on the days that you may be fertile. These fertile days are approximately 5 days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and one or more days after ovulation. Fertility awareness means that you can be abstinent or have sex but you use a “barrier” method of birth control to keep sperm from getting to the egg. Barrier methods include condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps, used together with spermicidal, which kill sperm. These methods are 75 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

(3). Oral Contraceptives- Also called “the pill,” contain the hormones estrogen and progestin and are avail¬able in different hormone dosages. A pill is taken daily to block the release of eggs from the ovaries. The pill may add to your risk of heart disease, including high blood pres¬sure, blood clots, and blockage of the arteries, especially if you smoke. If you are over age 35 and smoke, or have a history of blood clots or breast, liver, or endometrial cancer, your doctor may advise you not to take the pill. The pill is 95 to 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy.

(4). Copper T IUD (Intrauterine Device) - An IUD is a small device that is shaped in the form of a “T.” Your health care provider places it inside the uterus. The arms of the Copper T IUD contain some cop¬per, which stops fertilization by pre¬venting sperm from making their way up through the uterus into the fallopian tubes. The Copper T IUD can stay in your uterus for up to 12 years. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. This IUD is 99% effective at preventing preg¬nancy.

(5). Progestasert IUD (Intrauterine Device) - This IUD is a small plastic T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus by a doctor. It contains the hormone proges¬terone, the same hormone produced by a woman’s ovaries during the monthly menstrual cycle. The prog¬esterone causes the cervical mucus to thicken so sperm cannot reach condom, called Reality, and it can be purchased at a drug store.

(6). Depo-Provera - With this method women get injections, or shots, of the hormone progestin in the but¬tocks or arm every 3 months. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. Women should not use Depo-Provera for more than 2 years in a row because it can cause a temporary loss of bone density that increases the longer this method is used. It is 97% effective at preventing pregnancy. You will need to visit your doctor for the shots and to make sure you are not having any problems.

(7). Diaphragm, Cervical Cap or Shield - These are barrier methods of birth control, where the sperm are blocked from entering the cervix and reaching the egg. The cervical cap is thimble-shaped latex cup. The diaphragm and cervical cap come in different sizes and you need doctor to “fit” you for one. The cervical shield comes in one size and you will not need a fitting.

(8). The Patch (Ortho Evra) - This is a skin patch worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body. It releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream. You put on a new patch once a week for three weeks, and then do not wear a patch during the fourth week in order to have a menstrual period. The patch is 98 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but appears to be less effective in women who weigh more than 198 pounds. It does not protect against STDs or HIV. You will need to visit your doctor for a prescription and to make sure you are not having problems.

(9). The Hormonal Vaginal Contraceptive Ring (NuvaRing) - The NuvaRing is a ring that releases the hormones progestin and estrogen. You squeeze the ring between your thumb and index fin¬ger and insert it into your vagina. You wear the ring for three weeks, take it out for the week that you have your period, and then put in anew ring. The ring is 98 to 99%effective at preventing pregnancy. You will need to visit your doctor for a prescription and to make sure you are not having problems.

(10). Emergency Contraception – This is NOT a regular method of birth control and should never be used as one. Emergency contraception, or emergency birth control, is used to keep a woman from getting preg¬nant when she has had unprotected vaginal intercourse. a woman may have forgotten to take her birth con¬trol pills, or may have been abused or forced to have sex when she did not want to. Emergency contracep¬tion consists of taking two doses of hormonal pills taken 12 hours apart and started within three days after having unprotected sex. These are sometimes wrongly called the “morning after pill.” The pills are 75 to 89% effective at preventing pregnancy.