Birth Control Options In India That Every Woman Should Be Aware Of

Every couple should be aware about the birth control options to avoid any unintended pregnancies. It can help you make the decision that fits you the best.

According to WHO, Globally 74 million women living in low and middle-income countries have unintended pregnancies each year. The fundamental cause of this is lack of knowledge about contraceptives.

So, to help women make the best choice that is suitable for their body, we are sharing about the birth control options in India that women can go for.

1. Barrier Methods

• Male Condoms: These condoms are used by male partners. They are a type of sheath-shaped barrier used during sexual intercourse to prevent the chances of pregnancy or STI's. Male condoms are one of the most popular birth control options.
• Female Condoms: Female condoms are very new in India and are an effective way of preventing unplanned pregnancy. They are required to be inserted inside the vagina and can be worn up to eight hours before having sex.
• Diaphragms: A diaphragm is a reusable dome-shaped cup that works by forming a barrier between the uterus and sperm to prevent pregnancy.
• Cervical Cap: The cervical cap is a reusable dome-shaped cap that is put into the vagina and is made of non-allergenic silicone rubber. Compared to the diaphragm, it is smaller and fits more tightly over the cervix.
• Spermicide: Chemicals in spermicide prevent sperm from reaching an egg. Women have to put spermicide in vagina before sex to prevent pregnancy. Spermicide comes in many different forms including creams, gels, film, foams.

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2. Hormonal Methods

• Birth Control Pills:Birth control pills are one of the effective ways of preventing pregnancy, but it has to be taken consistently every day orally.
• Birth Control Implants: The birth control implant is a little, thin rod. The implant causes the body to release hormones that prevent the chances of pregnancy.
• Vaginal Ring: Vaginal ring is a small, soft and flexible plastic ring that women place inside their vagina to prevent pregnancy. It's a prescription only method of birth control.
• Birth Control Patch: You can wear the birth control patch on your arm, back, lower abdomen, or other parts of your body. It is small, square shaped and sticky. It sends hormones to the body that are similar in birth control pills or vaginal rings.
• Depo Provera Injections: Depo-Provera CI is a type of female hormone progesterone that prevents ovulation. After prescription by your doctor, this medication is usually injected once every three months into the muscle (upper arm or buttock).

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3. Other Methods

• Intrauterine Devices: Intrauterine device, which is also called an intrauterine contraceptive device or coil, is small in size and often T-shaped. It is a device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
• Tubal ligation: Tubal ligation is a permanent method of sterilization and birth control. It is a surgical procedure for female sterilization by which fallopian tubes are permanently blocked, clipped or removed.
• Emergency Contraception: These can help prevent pregnancy if you had sex without using contraceptives or if your birth control method didn't work. There are two types of FDA-approved ECPs.

Many of these methods require a doctor's prescription. Discuss these options with your doctor for better understanding.

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