Different male and female birth control options refer to different devices, sexual practices, agents, and surgical procedures that can prevent conception. These are important because a couple should have the power to decide whether or not to have a child.

While there are different male and female birth control options, they are not all equally reliable. Some are more effective than others; moreover, using a method will also impact its effectiveness in serving its purpose.

Listed below are birth control options you should know about :
The male condom works best for birth control because it forms a barrier and successfully prevents the sperm from reaching the eggs through the woman’s vagina.

• Vasectomy is a surgery that is done for making a man sterile; the tubes via which the sperms pass are either blocked or cut. This is why vasectomy is almost 99% effective for men.
• Outercourse refers to foreplay, where there is no penetration and may include kissing, masturbation, oral sex, etc.
• Withdrawal or pulling out is a technique that many men use for birth control. This is when the penis is drawn out before ejaculation; however, its effectiveness in preventing conception is debatable.
• Polyurethane is used to make female condoms. It comes with a flexible ring on either end; one will stay outside her vagina while the other attaches to the back of the pubic bone. This method is about 79% effective.
• A contraceptive sponge can be placed inside the vagina; it contains a depression that ensures it stays over the cervix. Foam is put inside the vagina using applicators, and this is spermicide that can kill sperms.
• The diaphragm is also a barrier technique and used best with spermicide. It is a dome-shaped device made of rubber and placed inside the woman’s vagina. It fits behind her public bone and contains a flexible but firm ring that presses it firmly to vaginal walls.
• The cervical cap is a thimble-shaped barrier device made from rubber that stays above the cervix and prevents sperms from entering the woman’s uterus.
• Injections or contraceptive shots can be long-acting, progestin-only, birth control medicines called the Depo shot and administered every three months. It can prevent conception by stopping egg release. It is almost 94% effective, but the chances of becoming pregnant keep growing as the injection wears off.
• IUDs or birth control pills can be used as pharmaceutical methods for birth control. Intrauterine devices are small but flexible T-shaped devices that are placed by doctors inside the vagina. A copper IUD will release toxins for killing sperms. You can keep this for as long as you do not wish to get pregnant.
• Pills must be taken every day. They contain progestin and estrogen, and the hormones prevent egg release during ovulation.
• Contraceptive patches are transdermal patches that may be applied to the skin. They produce synthetic progestin and estrogen again. You must wear the patch for three weeks at a stretch on your buttocks or lower abdomen. The fourth week is free from patches to allow for regular menstrual cycles.
• Vaginal ring, a flexible plastic ring, will release progestin and estrogen slowly over three weeks and prevent ovulation.
• The implant is a rod that slowly releases progestin and is placed under a woman’s upper arm. It is effective for 4 years and can be taken out at any time.
• Sterilization is permanent where the doctor blocks, burns, or cuts the fallopian tubes to stop future conception.