Birth control involves using different drugs, devices, sexual practices, surgical methods, and agents to pregnancy and contraception. It provides people the freedom to choose when they want a baby. For women and men, there is a myriad of options available to prevent pregnancy. However, of the different birth control types available, some will naturally be more reliable and effective than others. Moreover, the effectiveness of a method also depends on how well one uses it.

Now, let us take a quick look at the different birth control types available out there.

Birth control implants
In this method, the rod is implanted with a core of progestin that gradually releases into the body. The doctor will insert this rod under the upper arm of a woman. It is an effective method and would work well for about four years. However, whenever one needs to get pregnant, one can get the rod removed, and then they can conceive. Though it is approximately 99% effective in birth control, it wouldn’t do anything to keep one safe from sexually transmitted infections.

IUD or Intrauterine Device
It is a compact T-shaped flexible coil that the physician will place inside the uterus to prevent conception. There are mainly two types of IUD:

• Copper IUD: It releases copper into the uterus. The copper is a spermicide that helps in birth control.
• Hormonal IUD: It has progestin that does not let the sperm reach the egg, and helps in effective birth control. Depending on the type chosen, it may last anywhere between three to ten years. Hormonal IUD is approximately 99% effective.

Contraceptive pills
It has two hormones – progestin and estrogen. It needs to be taken every day. The hormone prevents ovulation and the egg release. On average, it is approximately 91-95% effective.

Contraceptive patch
A transdermal contraceptive patch is applied onto the skin. Then, it releases artificial progestin and estrogen hormones in the body. Women will have to wear the patch for three consecutive weeks. It is about 91% effective.

Condoms 
It forms a barrier and restricts the entry of the sperm into the vagina. There are both male and female condoms available in the market. Condoms also reduce the chance of STIs. The male condoms are about 82% effective, while the female condoms are 79% effective.

Sponge
A sponge has spermicide on it that kills the sperms, which make their way into the vagina. Further, a sponge in itself works as a restriction and prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg. This method does not work if the woman has had a baby already.

Vaginal ring
It is a plastic ring that is flexible and releases a lower dosage of estrogen and progestin over three weeks. The method is approximately 99% effective. However, there’s a chance of human error, which reduces its effectiveness to only 91%.