by An tireannach

Created on: October 06, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

There is a multitude of birth control methods. Apart from planning a family, certain contraceptives are hugely important in the avoidance of STD's. So contraceptives nowadays serve a dual purpose. The most effective method is often a question of personal choice. The barrier methods, condoms both regular and female condoms as well as diaphragms are less effective than the birth control pill. However, they are quite effective in preventing STDS.

Regulation of the menstrual cycle is often helped by the insertion of the IUD or Coil. However, birth control pills are favoured widely in this regard. The particular type to use is dependent on medical advice. The Nordette birth control pill is recommended for women who want to achieve regular menstruation as well as preventing pregnancy. It is also chosen by women to lessen the occurence of moderste to severe acne, a condition prevelant in young women and women while menstruating.

We are all familiar with the brand names for condoms. Indeed, often the brand becomes the main description. For instance, how many of us refer to Durex when we really mean any brand of condom. The same can vbe said of the birth control pill. This is why our general practioner or medical advisor issues a generic birth control prescription rather than naming the brand.

As to which method works best, there is statistical support to prove that the medical methods such as the pill, intra uterine device are more trustworthy for birth control. Oral contraceptives such as the morning after pill are definitely more effective after the event. Which brings one to what many professional people in the area of birth control advise. No matter what method one personally choses, if it is not properly applied or instructions are not reigourously adhered to, the method will be defective. This applies to the humble condon or pessary as much as the oral contraceptive pill. A misfitted condom or a pill not taken can cause either method to 'not work' at all.

As stated at the outset, given the high incidence of STDs on a global scale, maybe the combination of the non medical condom and the birth control pill could achieve the dual purpose of preventing a serious occurence of sexually transmitted disease and contraception.

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