Title: Women And Birth Control Word Count: 704 Summary: This article is about choosing the best female birth control method. It is not a choice that is to be left to chance. The best way is still abstaining from sexual activities, it is free, it doesn't pose any risk to your health, and it is 100% effective. Keywords: female birth control Article Body: Every woman's body is different from the rest, that is why different kinds of birth control devices and products were created. What works for one may not work for the other, and vice versa. The choice will depend on a lot of different things, like their health, personal preference, frequency of sexual encounters, number of sexual partners, and the desire to give birth and have children in the future. Here are some of the most commonly used female birth control method: 1. Sexual abstinence. If one does not engage in sexual activities, there is no way for a sperm to reach a woman's egg cell. The best thing about abstinence is that it doesn't cost anything, and it is a sure-fire way of avoiding sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The only difficult thing about it is that it may be difficult for some people to completely abstain from sex. Abstinence poses no risk, nor does it give a person any harmful side effects. It is deemed the most effective birth control method. 2. Sexual outercourse. It involves having sexual stimulation without having the penis penetrate the vagina. This method may be difficult to administer as couples may not be able to stop themselves from engaging in vaginal intercourse. It poses a slight risk of acquiring STDs as these can be transmitted through oral and anal intercourse. There is also a possibility of accidentally getting pregnant if semen is spilled on the vulva. 3. The barrier method. This method includes spermicides, the female condom, diaphragms, and cervical caps. a) Spermicides. These come in gels, sprays, foam, suppository, or tablet form. These spermicides contain chemicals that kill sperm. It is applied deep into the vagina and should be administered ten minutes before engaging in sex. Spermicides may be bought over-the-counter and is available almost anywhere. Some users may experience irritation, develop rashes, or set off allergies if their skin disagrees with the chemicals. This kind of contraceptive will not protect its users from STDs. b) Female condom. It is a thin sheath of latex fitted inside a woman's vagina. It aims to contain the man's sperm cells within the female condom so it doesn't reach the egg cell. It is easily accessible in any drugstore. The downside to this product is that it lessens the sensation during sex, and like the male condom, there is a possibility that the latex might break. The female condom needs to be replaced after every intercourse, are more costly than regular male condoms, and offer less protection from STD as compared to the male condom. c) Diaphragms. It is a rubber disk that is used to cover the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. It is inserted six hours before the intercourse, and needs to left in the vagina six hours after the last intercourse. It is messy to apply and may be difficult to insert for some women. Using diaphragms were said t increase risks of having bladder and urinary tract infection. It may also cause allergic reactions, and for the user to develop smelly vaginal discharge when left inside for more than 24 hours. 4. Hormonal method. These are designed to alter a woman's hormonal level to make the uterine environment non-conducive for fertilization and implantation. These include: a) The pill. This is a synthetic pill aimed to suppress ovulation by using the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It needs to be taken daily for full effectivity. There is a tendency, though, for women to forget taking the daily pill. This does not protect its user from STDs, and is only available through prescription as it has many side effects. b) Injectables. These are progestin based medications injected into the buttocks or arm of a user every three months to suppress ovulation. It requires no daily routine and is highly reversible. Like the contraceptive pill, it does not protect from sexually transmitted diseases, and has a list of different side effects. Choosing the best birth control method is not a matter of picking a method out of a pot and wishing it would work for you. It is important and will affect your health. Consult your health care provider before using any contraceptive to ensure that you're not putting yourself in danger.