contraception. Trying to get
pregnant, or worry about
unwanted pregnancy, takes a
toll on many women’s sex
lives.
Reversible Contraception
If you think you might want to
have children eventually, but
don’t want to have them now,
reversible contraception is the
way to go. Contraceptive
options vary greatly in
convenience, ease of use, and
cost. They range from the
cheap, use-when-needed
condom to an intrauterine
device (IUD), which can last
for up to 10 years.
Other contraceptive options
include:
birth control pills
hormonal patches
hormonal rings
female condoms
cervical caps
diaphragms
contraceptive sponges
Talk to your doctor about
which option is right for you.
The effectiveness varies
greatly. So does the ease of
use.
However, there’s one thing
every woman should
remember. There are lots of
ways to prevent pregnancy.
Only condoms can effectively
reduce the risk of STDs.
Sterilization
If you never plan to have
children, you may choose to
undergo sterilization. Female
sterilization methods work by
blocking the Fallopian tubes.
The sperm cannot reach the
egg. This means a pregnancy
cannot be achieved.
If you are in a couple, talk to
your partner about your
options. Sterilization is
generally less painful and
invasive for men than women.
JOY FEELINGS | DECEMBER ISSUE
214