Today a large percentage of sexually active people believe that both partners in a sexual relationship should share the responsibility for fertility control. The most important way to share this responsibility is to discuss it. In an ongoing relationship, there are many opportunities to talk about fertility control.

Partners who share the responsibility are more likely to use their chosen methods properly, which makes fertility control more effective. Tale a look at the advantages and disadvantages of different fertility control methods and remember, both partners are responsible if an unintended pregnancy occurs.

Below are a list of fertility control methods that every couple should look at. Even if you are not a couple but are sexually active, considering a birth control method is important for health and psychological reasons. If you have a teen-age daughter or son, these are considerations for parents.

The advantages and disadvantages for the following fertility control methods:

Male condom - 86%-98% effective
Advantages: Easy to obtain, inexpensive, free of medical risk, reliable, effective, protection against STD.
Disadvantages: error in use, negative attitudes about condoms diminishing sexual pleasure.

Female condom - 79-95% effective
Advantages: warms up instantaneously to body temperature, provides protection against STDs, easy to buy.
Disadvantages: cannot be used with a male condom and not as effective, difficulties in insertion, minor irritation, discomfort or breakage, cost more than male condoms.

Spermicides - 72-94% effective
Advantages: available without doctor's prescription, can be purchased in supermarkets, spermicide chemicals give added protection against STDs, effectiveness increases when used with condoms.
Disadvantages: tend to be slippery, a hindrance to oral-genital stimulation, some may have allergies.

Diaphragm - 80-95% effective
Advantages: absence of major medical problems, can be inserted up to 6 hours before intercourse.
Disadvantages: possibility of dislodgement, may be wrong size for the woman, can be messy, could contain tiny holes after repeated use

Cervical cap - 80-90% effective
Advantages: low cost, can be inserted anytime of the day intercourse is anticipated, sexual activity can take place instantaneously.
Disadvantages: difficulty with insertion, occasional discomfort, dislodgement and possible irritation of the cervix.

Hormonal contraceptives (the Pill) - 95-99% effective
Advantages: Easy to use, does not interfere with sexual activity.
Disadvantages: may cause unintended physiological effects (weight gain, breast tenderness), may cause the chance of pelvic infection.

Norplant - 99.5% effective
Advantages: highly effective, effective 24 hours after implant for up to 5 years, minor outpatient surgical procedure.
Disadvantages: menstrual cycle irregularity, headaches, nervousness, depression, dizziness, changes of appetite, weight gain.

Depo-Provera - 99.7% effective
Advantages: 99.7% effective, only injection every 3 months.
Disadvantages: amenorrhea, weight gain, and other side effects similar to the Norplant.

Intrauterine Device (IUD) - 97% effective
Advantages: after insertion stays in place until physician removes it.
Disadvantages: cramps, bleeding, infertility, perforation of the uterus, pelvic inflammatory diseases, increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Abstinence - 100% effective
Advantages: Most effective. 100% guarenteed, cost nothing, no rick of STDs, no health risk, no psychological effects.
Disadvantages: none.

Sterilization For Men - such as vasectomy and tubal ligation for women
Advantages: 99% effective, are reversable
Disadvantages: has a 50% chance of not having children again if reversed.

For Women
Advantages: 99% effective, reversable.
Disadvantages: painful, possible infection and surgical complications.

Afromerica supports abstinence 100% because disease is rampant in the world and mainly in America. The only way to live a life of happiness is to minimize one's worries.

© 2003 by AfroStaff