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Sexual Health > Birth
Control > Behavioral Birth Control methods
Methods
of Contraception: Behavioral
Abstinence
Abstinence has been utilized for thousands of years as a form of birth control.
Abstinence means abstaining from vaginal intercourse and intimate sex without
intercourse can provide great fulfillment.
Forms of sexual intimacy can be:
Abstinence
from other behaviors may be required for protection from the risk of HIV/AIDS
and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
no
major health concerns |
may
be difficult to maintain control under pressure |
no
cost |
pregnancy
and transmission of STDs still may occur if couple's genitals touch |
no
medical examination needed |
|
reduced
risk of STD transmission |
|
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Fertility
Awareness
Fertility
awareness methods of birth control require a relatively stable ovulation cycle
relying on the identification of a woman's fertile and infertile days to accurately
determine her cycle by charting her body temperature and mucous discharge
on a daily basis. Consistent and accurate records have to be kept especially
when ovulation and periods occur. Natural Family Planning users do not have
intercourse during fertile time unless pregnancy is desired. Any unpredictable
irregularity in the cycle can carry the risk of pregnancy. For more information
you may like to read a good book about natural birth control and getting pregnant.
Ovulation
and fertility kits.
This works well for some couples, but needs to be properly taught and scrupulously
followed.
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
no
major health concerns
|
temperature
and mucus must be checked every day |
helpful
in planning pregnancy |
difficult
for women with irregular cycles |
no
prescription needed |
stress,
illness, lack of sleep douches or vaginal infection can affect fertility
indicators and body temperature |
|
difficult to abstain from intercourse during fertile periods |
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The
Ovulation Testing Pack
The
Ovulation
Testing Pack is a completely new method of natural family planning which
allows you to enjoy lovemaking without using any contraceptives on most days
of your cycle. The pack includes a personal monitor that checks and analyses
your urine samples to indicate on which days of the month you are likely to
get pregnant. Contraceptives should be used on the fertile days if you wish
to make love.
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
no
major health concerns
|
difficult
to abstain from intercourse during fertile periods |
helpful
in planning pregnancy |
|
very easy to use |
|
93-95 per cent reliable
|
|
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The
Rhythm Method
Couples
who use the rhythm ("safe time") method abstain from intercourse
or use another form of birth control during the fertile time in the woman's
menstrual cycle.
Ovulation
and fertility kits.
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
no
major health concerns
|
difficult
to abstain from intercourse during fertile periods |
|
method
can fail because it is possible for a woman to ovulate at any time during
her cycle, including while she is menstruating |
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Coitus
Interruptus (Withdrawal)
Coitus
interruptus (withdrawal) is a well used contraceptive technique. With this
method intercourse takes place until ejaculation is about to occur, at which
point the male pulls his penis out of the vagina before he ejaculates (comes)
to keep sperm from joining the egg. The problem is that there are often
sperm present in the little dribble of semen that escapes from most men
prior to ejaculation so it cannot be guaranteed as a method of contraception.
This
method requires a high level of trust and cooperation and couples may find
it unsatisfying to use. Withdrawing before ejaculation is better than using
no method at all but this method is definitely not to be recommended.
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
is
acceptable to most religious groups
|
the
male may fail to withdraw or may not withdraw fast enough to prevent
sperm from being released |
|
strong
self control is needed |
|
before
ejaculation, almost all penises leak fluid that can cause pregnancy.
|
|
does
not eliminate transmission of HIV and other STDs |
|
some
men cannot tell when they are going to ejaculate |
|
some
men ejaculate very quickly, before they realize it |
|
extremely unreliable as a method of birth control |
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Douching
Douching
after intercourse is not an effective form of birth control, because some
sperm may reach a woman's uterus almost immediately after ejaculation. In
addition, douching may push sperm toward the uterus and increase the likelihood
of pregnancy.
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|