While a variety of effective birth control methods exist today, only abstinence can be guaranteed 100 percent effective and reversible, with no side effects.

The birth control pill is a prescription drug that contains hormones which suppress ovulation. This form of birth control involves taking a pill once a day on a monthly cycle.

There are many forms of contraception offered today, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. When choosing a birth control method, several factors should be taken into account.

A male condoms, also called a 'rubber,' is a barrier method of birth control. The condom is a latex rubber or animal-skin sheath (SHEETH) that's unrolled onto an erect penis before intercourse.

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped, soft rubber disk with a flexible rim that's placed inside the vagina before intercourse. Spermicide is smeared on both sides of the diaphragm and acts as a barrier to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

Implantable birth control consists of hormone implants placed under the skin in the upper arm. The implant contains six tiny capsules of progestin (proe-JESS-tin), similar to the hormone in birth control pills.

Injectable birth control is a contraceptive method utilizing injections in the arm or hip. It has a 99 percent effectiveness rate in protecting against pregnancy, and each shot lasts for three months.

When a person isn't a candidate for artificial contraceptive methods, or their religious beliefs prohibit such use, a couple may choose natural family planning.

Many women who use combination birth control pills adjust to them with few or no problems. In fact, most women experience lighter, less painful, and more regular menstrual periods.

During your second trimester, you may want to consider enrolling in a childbirth class to prepare you for the upcoming delivery and approaching parenthood.

Spermicides are barrier contraceptives that work by killing sperm or by providing a barrier between the sperm and the uterus. They're available in most drugstores without a prescription.

The I-U-D is a T-shaped device made of plastic or plastic and copper, that's inserted to prevent pregnancy. It's placed in the uterus just above the cervical opening; a short string hangs down into the upper vagina.

Female sterilization is commonly performed by a surgical procedure called tubal ligation (TOOB-al lie-GAY-shun). This operation is a common choice among women who don't wish to have any more children, or whose health would be risked by pregnancy.

A vasectomy (vas-EK-toe-mee) is a surgical form of birth control for males. It's a sterilization process achieved by severing the tubes that carry sperm from the testes (TESS-teez) to the penis.