How Not To Get Pregnant

Relationships today tend to progress quickly, and couples often find themselves in an intimate physical relationship early on. This necessitates finding ways to avoid getting pregnant. Married couples that are into family planning also look for ways to delay or avoid pregnancy by using several methods. Here are some of the most common practices used to avoid getting pregnant:

• Withdrawal. One common practice of couples is withdrawal, where the man withdraws his penis before he ejaculates. While this seems practical, it is not effective. Even before a man ejaculates, a few drops of semen have already escaped his penis, and a few drop of sperm-laden ejaculate is all it takes! This method is only an additional safety precaution if the woman is already using oral contraceptives.
• Rhythm method. With this method, the woman's menstrual cycle and ovulation is monitored and documented. It is best to seek the advice of an OB-GYN for the proper documentation of a woman's cycle, since different women have different ovulation cycles. In the rhythm method, when the woman is "safe", meaning she cannot get pregnant at the time being (because she has not produced a ripe egg cell yet), the couple can engage in sex. Otherwise, they will have to abstain until such time that the woman is "safe" again.
• Contraceptives. There are several forms of contraceptives: Some of the most popular are oral contraceptives, male and female condoms, and IUDs. Oral contraceptives are designed for women. It modifies their egg cell production, so that eggs cannot be fertilized and will not result in pregnancy. Condoms, on the other hand, are prophylactics worn to prevent the man's sperm cells from reaching the woman's egg cells. A condom is made of a thin rubber material worn over the penis. This blocks the man's semen when he ejaculates. A female condom is similar in concept and design but is inserted in the woman's vagina, so that it covers the cervix, like a cup, blocking the uterus, so that when a man releases semen containing sperm cells, the semen is blocked by the female condom.
• An IUD, or an intrauterine device, is a tiny device inserted inside a woman's uterus and it stays there for several years. It controls the hormones in such a way that it prevents pregnancy. This method is preferred by a lot of women because it is very low maintenance, and does not need regular monitoring. There are some side effects though, which should be discussed with an OB-GYN. Also, only a medical practitioner can insert an IUD.
• Abstinence. The most practical way for couples, especially for those who are not yet married, to avoid pregnancy is not to engage in sex in the first place. Alternative sexual activities can allow you to enjoy a sexual relationship without the risk of pregnancy.
• Sterilization. If a couple does not wish to have any more children, then sterilization is an appropriate option.