Birth control is an essential aspect of pregnancy planning. While the numerous alternatives available in the market make it challenging to choose one, you must understand that the type of birth control will also determine how effective contraception is and for how long. There are several oral contraceptives, implants, hormone patches, internal devices, condoms, and surgical procedures. Here are the four most popular methods to prevent pregnancy.

1. Birth control pills
Birth control pills are the most popular form of contraception for daily use. The pills contain low doses of hormones that stop the process of ovulation (where the sperm meets an egg to fertilize). The hormones also thicken the mucus lining on the cervix as an additional layer of protection to prevent sperms from meeting the eggs. That said, pills have to be taken regularly, and missing even a single dose can increase the chances of pregnancy. One of the effective alternatives is a birth control patch, which is designed to release hormones into the system at regular intervals to prevent conception. The patch has to be changed every week.

2. Condoms, diaphragms , and cervical cups
Male condoms are the cheapest available form of birth control, but they are only 85% effective and are single-use products. The internal condom is an alternative that needs to be inserted into the vagina to collect and prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. Internal condoms are less effective and are also single-use. Both of these are popular methods used to prevent pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases. Women can also use diaphragms, small silicone disks that prevent sperm from entering the cervix, or they can opt for a cervical cap designed to do the same.

3. Birth control implants
An implant is a small device inserted under a woman’s upper arm skin, and it is designed to periodically release the progestin hormone to prevent ovulation. Once inserted, implants are effective for a period of 3 years and are 99% effective. An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is another form of implant that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy for anywhere between 3 and 12 years. IUDs simply change the way the sperm cells move to prevent ovulation. Some IUDs are also manufactured with copper, which is proven to be quite effective in blocking sperms.

4. Surgical options
Couples who are absolutely positive that they don’t want to have children can opt for surgical procedures like tubal ligation and vasectomy. Men can opt for a vasectomy, wherein the tubes that carry the sperm from the scrotum are cut or blocked to prevent the sperms from leaving the body. Tubal ligation is a similar procedure for women wherein the fallopian tubes are cut, blocked, or tied off to prevent the eggs from reaching the uterus. Both these procedures are popular methods to prevent pregnancy permanently.

Couples should always discuss their options with a primary care physician to understand the merits and demerits of each one before making a choice.