Birth Control

Contraceptive Options Available for Women over 40

Women over the age of 40 should not forget to consider different contraceptive options available. Whether you have children and don’t plan to have any more children in the future, or you are still planning to have a family, the only important thing is the right contraception that can protect you from the unexpected pregnancy.

Fertility and Age

It is true that fertility declines with age and once you are over the age of 35 or 40 it is much harder to get pregnant compared to when you are in your twenties or in your early thirties. However, various studies have shown that women between the age of 40 and 45 are still able to get pregnant. The fertility declines with age but it does not stop until you reach menopause. The menopause is considered the period with the lack of menstruations for more than 12 months. Women usually enter menopause around the age of 50. For some women, menopause comes early, before the age of 40, called premature menopause.

Keep in mind that even though you have finished planning your family, but you still continue to be sexually active, you and your partner should take precautions and learn your contraceptive options in order to prevent any possible pregnancy in the future.

Contraceptive Options Available Nowadays

• Birth control pills – are safe to use and they can be used until the age of 50. Women who have problems with the blood pressure, any cardiovascular disease or smoke, should be careful while taking the birth control pills. There are two types of pills available, the pill that contains both estrogen and progesterone, or the pill that contains only progestin. Contraceptive pills are taken daily in order to keep the ovaries from releasing an egg.
• IUD – is a T shaped device that is inserted inside of the uterus. There are two types: copper IUD and hormonal IUD. Protection is for more than 5 years.
• Condoms – today there are female and male condoms available. The female condom is worn by the female inside of the vagina in order to keep the sperm from getting inside of the body. It can be inserted up to 8 hours before having sex. The male condom is worn by the male during sexual intercourse in order to keep the sperm from entering the woman’s body. Condoms are either: lubricated or non-lubricated. Keep in mind that condoms can tear or break if you keep them in a hot place.

Permanent Birth Control Methods

If you don’t plan to have children in the future, there are always the permanent contraceptive options like:

• Sterilization implant – it is a non-surgical sterilization method for women. The scar tissue may take up to three months to form, so in the meantime it is very important to use other contraceptive options. The sterilization implant works by blocking the fallopian tubes.
• Surgical sterilization – closes the fallopian tubes by cutting, tying or sealing them. This will stop the egg from traveling into the uterus.

Emergency Contraception

If one of the above mentioned contraceptive options failed for any possible reason, there is always the so called baby after pill. Emergency contraception can be taken as a single dose or in two doses. It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg or keeping the sperm from joining with the egg. For the best chances for it to work, take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It should be taken within 72 hours after having unprotected sex. It is often known as the morning after pill.  Keep in mind that it should not be used as a regular contraceptive method.

17 Modern Contraceptive Methods You Can Choose

All women and men can decide when and if they want to have children. Choosing the right contraceptive method is not easy. Keep in mind that even the most effective contraceptive methods can fail. There is no 100% protection. Today there are different kinds of contraceptive methods available.

• Continuous abstinence – not having sexual intercourse at all
• Natural family planning – consists on avoiding sexual intercourse on the days when the female is more fertile. Normally a woman who has regular menstrual cycles is more fertile about 5 days before and 3 days after ovulation, as well as the day of ovulation.

Barrier Contraceptive Methods

• Contraceptive sponge – is a soft and disk-shaped device, made out of polyurethane foam but which also contains spermicide in order to kill the sperm. Before sexual intercourse the sponge should be wet and placed inside of the vagina in order to cover the cervix. The sponge is effective for 24 hours, so you and your partner can have more than once sexual intercourse. It needs to be left in for at least 6 hours after sexual intercourse, but needs to be removed within 30 hours after insertion.
• Diaphragm – it is a shallow latex cup that blocks the sperm from entering the cervix. There are different sizes of diaphragms, so your doctor should find the right size for you. It should be left in place for 6 to 8 hours after sexual intercourse, but should be taken out within 24 hours.
• Cervical cap – is a thimble-shaped latex cup. There are also different sizes of cervical caps, so your doctor should find the right size for you. It should be left in place for 6 to 8 hours after sexual intercourse, but should be taken out within 48 hours.
• Cervical shield – is a silicone cup that has a one-way valve that creates suction and helps it fit against the cervix. It should be left in place for 6 to 8 hours after sexual intercourse, but should be taken out within 48 hours.
• Female condom – is worn by the female inside of the vagina in order to keep the sperm from getting inside of the body. It is made of thin, flexible, manmade rubber and is packaged with a lubricant. It can be inserted up to 8 hours before having sex.
• Male condoms – the most commonly used contraceptive methods. Is worn by the male during sexual intercourse in order to keep the sperm from entering the woman’s body. They are made of latex, polyurethane, or “natural/lambskin”. Condoms are either: lubricated or non-lubricated. Keep in mind that condoms can tear or break if you keep them in a hot place like a wallet.

Hormonal Contraceptive Methods

• Oral contraceptive methods – there are two types of pills available, the pill that contains both estrogen and progesterone, or the pill that contains only progestin. Contraceptive pills are taken daily in order to keep the ovaries from releasing an egg.
• The patch – can be worn in buttocks, outer arm, upper body or lower abdomen. It releases progestin and estrogen which will stop the ovaries from releasing an egg. The patch is put on for three weeks. The fourth week is the week of menstrual periods.
• Shot – of progestin every 3 months, in order to stop the ovaries from releasing an egg.
• Vaginal ring – is a thin, flexible ring that releases the hormones progestin and estrogen. It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs, thickens the cervical mucus and prevents the egg from fertilization. The ring should be squeezed between the thumb and the index finger first, than it should be inserted inside of the vagina. The ring is worn for 3 weeks. Later it is removed in order to have a menstrual period. A new ring is inserted after the menstrual periods.

Implantable Devices

• Implantable rod – it is a flexible, matchstick – size rod that is put under the skin in the upper arm. It releases progestin and is effective for up to 3 years.
• Intrauterine devices (IUD) – is a T shaped device that is inserted inside of the uterus. There are two types: copper IUD and hormonal IUD. Protection is for more than 5 years.

Permanent Contraceptive Method

• Sterilization implant – it is a non-surgical sterilization method for women. The scar tissue may take up to three months to form, so in the meantime it is very important to use another contraceptive method. The sterilization implant works by blocking the fallopian tubes.
• Surgical sterilization – closes the fallopian tubes by cutting, tying or sealing them. This will stop the egg from traveling into the uterus.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception – keeps a woman from not getting pregnant in cases when another contraceptive method has failed. It can be taken as a single dose or in two doses. It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg or keeping the sperm from joining with the egg. For the best chances for it to work, take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It should be taken within 72 hours after having unprotected sex. It is often known as the morning after pill. Keep in mind that it should not be used as e regular birth control method.