Birth Control Methods for Men

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When the topic of birth control comes up, most people think of the methods available to women. If the topic of discussion turns to men and birth control, almost everyone thinks of condoms. However, men can be more involved in birth control measures and take steps to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.

Some methods available to men are:

Condoms: These have long been the most popular means of birth control for men. Some couples use them even if the woman is using some other form of birth control to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy.

Withdrawal: While not the safest method for preventing pregnancy, coupled with the rhythm method, that is, timing ovulation, this does offer a measure of protection.

Outercourse: This refers to sex play without any form of penetration.

Vasectomy: This is a more permanent method where the tubes, the vas deferens, that carry sperm outside the body are closed off surgically by cutting and cauterizing.

For some couples, depending on various factors abstinence is a sure and safe method of birth contro for both sexesl.

Research is ongoing to find other means of birth control for men. A few of these are already in development and test trials are been conducted. Some of these methods may over time become standard, such as the male birth control pill.

Preventing pregnancy is important for many reasons. Teenagers generally are not ready financially or emotionally to become parents. Married couples may not be ready to start a family or may not be ready for more. Many people are not financially capable of taking care of a child or an additional child. For these and other reasons birth control is a necessity.

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Birth Control Options

Birth control, also known as contraception, is a means of preventing pregnancy. There are many options for employing control but the one that is best for an individual depends on personal beliefs and preferences, a desire to protect against disease and on individual’s health. One should speak with one’s doctor about exploring the different options but it is important to remember that the chosen method will work best if it used correctly and consistently.

One method of birth control that is 100% effective is not to engage in sexual relations. This not only guarantees not getting pregnant but also insures the prevention of getting a sexually transmitted disease. The risks of these events occurring may outweigh the pleasure that can be received from having sexual relations.

If one does plan to engage in sexual relations, then are various methods from which one can choose. Blocking sperm from getting into the uterus is known as a barrier method. Devices included in this method are the cervical cap, contraceptive sponge and condoms. Protection with these devices requires that they be used every time every time sex is to occur. If a woman decides to use a cervical cap or diaphragm, she must be fitted for this by her doctor. These devices may increase the risk of urinary tract infections or cause allergic reactions in some women.

If the man is the one using birth control, condoms are a good choice. They are available at any local drugstore and not expensive. They can be used alone or in combination with other methods of birth control. Using condoms is a wise choice if partners using the condoms are having sex with other people or if either one has had sex with other people in the past. Condoms are most effective against the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. One should stay away from using a spermicide with condoms as this can not only decrease one’s protection against sexually transmitted infections but can also cause genital irritation. Female condoms do exist but they have found to be less effective than the condoms used by men.

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4 Common Reasons for Birth Control Failure

A lot of women are finding that they got pregnant even though they used contraception. So why are there so many contraception failures? Here are some of the most common reasons that birth control fails.

  • Instructions Not Followed – If you don’t read and follow the instructions for a birth control method, you may be doing something wrong.  For example, you have to take the Pill every day at the same time. If you’re using a condom, you have to make sure that it’s used right and that it hasn’t been in a drawer or a wallet for a long time. For a cervical cap or diaphragm it has to cover the cervix completely.
  • Inconsistent Use – The second reason that birth control fails is that the person doesn’t use it consistently.  Forgetting to take a pill once can lead to pregnancy, as can forgetting to apply a condom or another kind of barrier birth control.
  • Condom Damage – The third reason that birth control fails is that the condom breaks. Even the tiniest pinhole can allow sperm to get through since sperm is so tiny that it can’t be seen with the naked eye. If you use condoms and you want some extra protection against pregnancy, using vaginal spermicide is a good idea.
  • Other Medication – The final reason that birth control will fail is other medication being taken.  For example, taking antibiotics with the Pill is going to require another form of birth control because the antibiotic can affect how well the Pill works.

These are four big reasons why a lot of birth control methods fail and therefore there are a lot of unplanned pregnancies. When you are choosing your birth control method, remember the reasons that they fail and choose the one for you accordingly. Birth control is good when it’s used well but when it is taken for granted, unplanned pregnancy can occur.

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Tips for Using a Condom

One of the most popular types of contraceptive is a condom.  When they are used correctly, they are very effective for preventing the spread of disease and pregnancy. Here are some of the things that you should remember when using a condom.

  • Use a brand new condom every time you have sex.
  • Apply the condom once an erection has been achieved and prior to the penis making contact between it and the body of the partner.
  • If the man has not been circumcised, the foreskin should be pulled back before applying the condom.
  • If there is no reservoir tip on the condom, the tip should be pinched in order to leave a space of half an inch for collecting semen.
  • When you pinch the tip, put the condom up against the man’s penis and unroll it to the penis’ base.  Place more lubricant or spermicide on the condom’s outside.
  • If the condom breaks during intercourse, cease sex and remove the penis from the partner. Don’t continue with sex until another condom has been applied.
  • Once ejaculation has been achieved and prior to the penis becoming soft, take hold of the condom’s rim and very carefully withdraw.
  • In order to remove your condom, pull it off very gently, making sure that the semen isn’t spilling out.
  • Tissue should be used for wrapping the used condom before throwing the condom in the garbage. Due to the fact that condoms can cause sewer problems, they shouldn’t be flushed.  Make sure that you’re washing up with water and soap when you are done.

These are the things that you should remember when you are using a condom.  Make sure that you are following them, otherwise you may not get the right protection that you are expecting from the condom and you may find out you and your partner are expecting something else.

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Benefits Of Barrier Methods Of Birth Control

Various forms of barrier methods of birth control have existed since ancient people made condoms from animal intestines. Until rubber diaphragms were invented, women created crude birth control barriers from sponges, fruit rinds, dough and other concoctions.

Even then, people knew the benefits of the barrier method. Fortunately, there are much safer and more effective products on the market. Today’s barrier methods (the condom, diaphragm, cervical cap and contraceptive sponge) are comfortable, easy to use, and prevent pregnancy when used correctly.

Condoms are probably the oldest contraceptive in the world and are still popular. They are easy to obtain and very low cost. Most are made from rubber, though there are a few natural skin condoms on the market. Some condoms contain spermicide for added protection. Condoms also protect against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.

Diaphragms and cervical caps are made from rubber or silicone, and are used with spermicide to form a barrier against the cervix. They are affordable, easy to use and safe for people whose health prevents them from using the pill or other hormonal methods. There is no need to worry about missing doses, monitoring blood pressure, or making appointments for injections.

Contraceptive sponges are made from absorbent synthetic foam that has been saturated with spermicide. They are available without a prescription, do not require any fitting, and can remain in place for 30 hours

Barrier methods have very few side effects. There are no hormones to affect mood or cause weight gain and can be used by nearly everyone. They do not require any surgical procedures, are immediately effective, and do not involve any surgical or painful procedures. There is also recent evidence that spermicide may offer some protection against certain diseases, though it is not known exactly how this works. Investigation and study of this evidence may help barrier methods of contraception become more popular in the future.

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Using Effective Birth Control

Anyone who uses any form of birth control or are interested in finding a good birth control needs to understand how they work and how they’re likely to work with your body in preventing pregnancy. Birth control methods are meant to stop the sperm from joining with the female’s egg and creating a pregnancy. This can be achieved in several ways including the use of:

- Birth control pills
Probably the most commonly used form of avoiding pregnancy because it is easy, convenient and flexible for most women to use. Taking a pill a day for 20-24 days out of the month is what many women prefer to do and not be bothered with other ways.

- Condoms
Condoms are good for preventing the flow of sperm to unite with the woman’s egg, but they are also great for protecting the person against certain sexually-transmitted diseases. Although they are not fail-proof for pregnancy, they do offer good protection.

- The Withdrawal Method
Very common but also very ineffective since the procedure is not guaranteed. The presence of sperm is in drops of semen that are excreted during sex and has the potential to unite with the egg, even before ejaculation. Pregnancy can and often does occur with this procedure, which is why it is not a suggested remedy for helping to avoid a pregnancy.

Some of these methods will work, and some of them will not. Choosing to use any of these forms of birth controls is a matter of preference. Many people will decide to test them or use several methods at once for more effectiveness and to ensure that there are no slip-ups. With whatever method is chosen, the main thing is to be sure that it is right for the person, their lifestyle and that they fully understand how each method works and the mechanics of each style.

Filed Under: Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: , , ,

Are Condoms Safe Birth Control?

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Birth control methods of varying kinds are as probably as safe as the person who uses them makes them to be. There may be instances where the product or item will work and block a pregnancy being created or where it will fail and pregnancy occurs. Generally, if the instructions on using the product is followed, the desired results will happen, but this is not always a guarantee.

Using condoms as a method of birth control is one such method that is not guaranteed to work at all times either. Condoms break and tear, and depending on the quality of the material, can leak and produce undesirable results.

Generally speaking, condoms are an effective means of birth control if they are used correctly, but nothing is a guarantee. If a person wants to ensure that they work as they should, they should invest in the highest quality condoms available on the market. This may cost them a lot more than they’re prepared to spend, but if quality is important for them, they should consider it.

To further ensure that the condoms will be effective, they may also want to consider using another back up means for their birth control needs, like the use of The Pill, the Patch or a cream contraceptive that is also effective.

As with any forms of birth control methods, following the directions carefully and having a backup plan can help to ensure that there won’t be any accidents. Also, while using condoms, be sure to check for holes or leaks in the product before using them. Small tears can sometimes occur in the product during manufacturing or transport. It can also happen if the product is old and has been in its package for a while, but these instances are very unlikely. In any case however, it’s better to be aware than have any surprises occur.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: , , ,

What Every Teen Ought to Know about Sex

Two friends were talking about birth control. One friend was trying to discuss the various options like condoms and birth control pills, when the other announced, “I use a fail-safe birth control.” “What do you use?” the first friend asked. The other’s reply was simple. “It’s called a pair of pants!”
That’s a simple solution, but for most teens it is not that simple. There is so much pressure and influence on teens to be sexually active—and it is not all from their peers. Movies and television have normalized the idea of teens having sex. Sex is sung about and talked about openly. Advertisements for the HPV vaccination make it sound like it is just assumed that teens will have sex.
In great-grandmother’s day, the most common form of pre-marital birth control was a chaperone. It was difficult to do more than hold hands with Aunt Harriet looking on. Queen Victoria’s mother slept with her every night until she was married. Unless she was a heavy sleeper, this would definitely have prevented the little princess from sneaking out at night.
Boys and girls today have more freedom, more choices, and more danger. Sex education should include information on how to use those choices responsibly. Any program we endorse, whether as educators, church leaders, or parents, should have the welfare of teens as the first consideration.
Teens need to be empowered to say no to sex if they want to, and to respect the boy or girl who says no. They need to be taught safety measures to prevent rape or sexual abuse—and what to do if it happens.  They should be taught the emotional consequences of sexual activity and pregnancy. They should also be taught about birth control and disease prevention and treatment, not in a scare tactic way, but as facts.
Let’s not play “Truth or Consequences” with sex ed. Let’s teach the truth, the facts, in hopes of avoiding dangerous consequences of uninformed sexual activity among teens.

Two friends were talking about birth control. One friend was trying to discuss the various options like condoms and birth control pills, when the other announced, “I use a fail-safe birth control.” “What do you use?” the first friend asked. The other’s reply was simple. “It’s called a pair of pants!”
That’s a simple solution, but for most teens it is not that simple. There is so much pressure and influence on teens to be sexually active—and it is not all from their peers. Movies and television have normalized the idea of teens having sex. Sex is sung about and talked about openly. Advertisements for the HPV vaccination make it sound like it is just assumed that teens will have sex.
In great-grandmother’s day, the most common form of pre-marital birth control was a chaperone. It was difficult to do more than hold hands with Aunt Harriet looking on. Queen Victoria’s mother slept with her every night until she was married. Unless she was a heavy sleeper, this would definitely have prevented the little princess from sneaking out at night.
Boys and girls today have more freedom, more choices, and more danger. Sex education should include information on how to use those choices responsibly. Any program we endorse, whether as educators, church leaders, or parents, should have the welfare of teens as the first consideration.
Teens need to be empowered to say no to sex if they want to, and to respect the boy or girl who says no. They need to be taught safety measures to prevent rape or sexual abuse—and what to do if it happens.  They should be taught the emotional consequences of sexual activity and pregnancy. They should also be taught about birth control and disease prevention and treatment, not in a scare tactic way, but as facts.
Let’s not play “Truth or Consequences” with sex ed. Let’s teach the truth, the facts, in hopes of avoiding dangerous consequences of uninformed sexual activity among teens.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation, Sexual Problem Tagged With: , ,

STD Myths Debunked

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With so much incorrect information on sexually transmitted diseases going around, it’s no wonder many teenagers are confused and contracting STD’s at an alarming rate. In fact, teenagers account for the largest group of people with STD’s.
Here are some common misconceptions about sexually transmitted diseases:
Myth: You cannot get STD’s by having oral or anal sex – FALSE!
With ANY type of sex, or simply even sexual contact, there is the possibility of contracting an STD. STD’s are spread by viruses or bacteria that enter the body through tiny tears or cuts in the genitals, anus, or mouth. Certain STD’s, such as genital warts or herpes, can be spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected sores or areas.
The best way to protect yourself is by using a condom or dental dam when engaging in oral or anal sex.
Myth: If you or your partner has an STD, it will be visible – FALSE!
The truth is that you can never tell if a person has an STD just by looking at them. Since STD’s rarely cause symptoms, those who don’t regularly get checked out by a doctor will never know that they have an STD. It’s possible that a person carrying the virus can spread it to their partner without ever having a visible outbreak.
It’s extremely important to see a doctor before you have sex, even if you and your partner think you’re clean. Get tested for STD’s thereafter on a regular basis and always use protection.
Myth:  Having sex in a hot tub or pool is ideal because the chlorine will kill any bacteria or viruses – FALSE!
Nice try. Chlorine will not kill STD-causing viruses or bacteria, nor will it kill sperm. It makes no difference how hot the water is or how much chlorine is in it; you can still get an STD or become pregnant.
There is no substitution for a condom. In order to prevent contracting an STD or pregnancy, always use a condom. Just remember, latex condoms can break down in hot tubs.
Practicing sexual health is the best way to prevent pregnancy and STD’s.

With so much incorrect information on sexually transmitted diseases going around, it’s no wonder many teenagers are confused and contracting STD’s at an alarming rate. In fact, teenagers account for the largest group of people with STD’s.
Here are some common misconceptions about sexually transmitted diseases:
Myth: You cannot get STD’s by having oral or anal sex – FALSE!With ANY type of sex, or simply even sexual contact, there is the possibility of contracting an STD. STD’s are spread by viruses or bacteria that enter the body through tiny tears or cuts in the genitals, anus, or mouth. Certain STD’s, such as genital warts or herpes, can be spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected sores or areas.
The best way to protect yourself is by using a condom or dental dam when engaging in oral or anal sex.
Myth: If you or your partner has an STD, it will be visible – FALSE!The truth is that you can never tell if a person has an STD just by looking at them. Since STD’s rarely cause symptoms, those who don’t regularly get checked out by a doctor will never know that they have an STD. It’s possible that a person carrying the virus can spread it to their partner without ever having a visible outbreak.
It’s extremely important to see a doctor before you have sex, even if you and your partner think you’re clean. Get tested for STD’s thereafter on a regular basis and always use protection.
Myth:  Having sex in a hot tub or pool is ideal because the chlorine will kill any bacteria or viruses – FALSE!Nice try. Chlorine will not kill STD-causing viruses or bacteria, nor will it kill sperm. It makes no difference how hot the water is or how much chlorine is in it; you can still get an STD or become pregnant.
There is no substitution for a condom. In order to prevent contracting an STD or pregnancy, always use a condom. Just remember, latex condoms can break down in hot tubs.
Practicing sexual health is the best way to prevent pregnancy and STD’s.

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Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Problem Tagged With: ,