Birth control is used to prevent or delay a pregnancy. There are several different methods of birth control available. Some methods contain hormones, require a prescription, involve surgery, or may even be free of cost. Deciding which birth control to use is an individual choice which can change depending on one’s religion, age, side effects, personal finances, or the desired family size. Having some knowledge about each method can help narrow the options.
With the help of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurers are required to cover women’s preventive care services, which include birth control, at no cost to the patient (Richards 2016). This benefit has made it easier for women to have access to many different forms of birth control. Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) have been the birth …show more content…
A tubal ligation and vasectomy require surgery. Essure is a relatively new procedure performed in the doctor’s office. With Essure, devices are inserted in the fallopian tubes that cause scarring. After approximately three months, the scarring creates a blockage that prevents the egg and sperm from ever meeting. All three methods of permanent birth control are very effective in preventing pregnancy.
Selecting birth control is a personal decision that may change as a woman ages. A teenager may choose a LARC to delay pregnancy until after college. A college graduate may choose a LARC to delay pregnancy until marriage. A newlywed may choose a LARC to delay pregnancy for a career. A woman in her thirties or forties may choose sterilization because she has all the children she wants. Many women try several different types of birth control until they find the one that works best with their lifestyle and goals. Fortunately, there is plenty of birth control to choose from and the options are