 Several birth control methods are available by prescription, and all are for women. They include birth-control pills, diaphragms, cervical caps, implants, injections, and intrauterine devices. Your doctor can help you choose the method that's best for you, depending on your medical history, age, lifestyle, and personal preference. Keep in mind that none of the prescription forms of birth control prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Birth control pills are one of the most popular and effective forms of contraception. When taken as prescribed, they are more than 99 percent effective. The pills contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone (such as Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, >Tri-Phasil, >Necon 1/35, and >Alesse) or progesterone alone (such as >Nor-QD or >Micronor). Most women tolerate birth control pills well. The most common side effects of combined estrogen and progesterone pills include nausea, water retention, and breast tenderness. Rarely, combined birth control pills can cause more serious side effects like high blood pressure and blood clots. Women who smoke heavily, have high blood pressure, or who are over 35 years old are more likely to have serious side effects from combined birth control pills and may want to consider other birth control options like progesterone-only pills. Other prescription birth control methods include the diaphragm and the cervical cap. A woman inserts them into the vagina before intercourse. When used with >spermicidal jelly, diaphragms are over 90 percent effective. Cervical caps, when used with spermicidal jelly, are 90 percent effective for women who have not had children. They are only 75 percent effective for women who have given birth in the past. Diaphragms and cervical caps are not associated with side effects in most women. Injectable or implantable forms of birth control for women include >Depo-Provera and Norplant. They contain the hormone progesterone. Depo-Provera is a shot that your doctor gives you every three months. Norplant is a system that releases hormone from small implants that your doctor inserts under the skin on the inside of the upper arm. It is effective for five years. Both Depo-Provera and Norplant are more than 99 percent effective. Possible side effects of Depo-Provera include weight gain and feeling bloated. These side effects can also occur with Norplant but are less likely. Some women find the insertion and removal of Norplant painful. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are T-shaped devices that a woman’s doctor inserts into her uterus. While IUD’s are 98 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, it’s not entirely clear how they work. But as foreign bodies in the uterus, they're thought to cause an inflammatory reaction that kills sperm. Two types of IUD are available in the U.S. The Copper T380A remains effective for 10 years. The Progestasert slowly releases the hormone progesterone and must be replaced annually. IUDs can increase the risk of an infection called pelvic inflammatory disease, which is often transmitted sexually. For this reason, an IUD is usually not recommended for women who have had a sexually transmitted disease in the past or who have more than one sexual partner. IUDs may also slightly increase the risk of infertility after they are removed. Sources:
Contraceptive Technology. Ardent Media, 1998.
Danforth’s Obstetrics and Gynecology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.
Dickey, R.P. Managing Contraceptive Pill Patients. EMIS Inc., 1998.
This answer prepared 3/13/00.
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