Some methods of birth control are more reliable than others. Unfortunately, there is no perfect form of birth control. Only abstinence can protect against unwanted pregnancy and is one hundred percent reliable. The first contraception devices were mechanical barriers in the vagina that prevented the male sperm from fertilizing the female egg. These include condoms, diaphragm, and cervical caps. Condoms are the only mechanical barriers that protects against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. Another form of birth control is spermicide, which is a medication that kills sperm. Different types of spermicide are jelly, cream, tablet or foam; all are placed in the vagina. Spermicide can be used without medical supervision, but must be used with each act of intercourse.

Contraceptive pills or oral contraception are common forms of contraception for women used to prevent ovulation. There

Widespread use of emergency contraception could prevent an "estimated 1.7 million unintended pregnancies and 800,000 abortions each year". Women should only use emergency contraceptives pills as a back up to their usual birth control method. "Nearly half of America's 6 million annual pregnancies are accidental". Unintended pregnancies result in 1.4 million abortions annually, as well as 1.1million births that women either did not want to have until later or did not want at all. Eighty percent of teen pregnancies are unintended, and each year, one in nine young women aged fifteen to nineteen become pregnant; more than half become mothers. With knowledge of these contraceptive the numbers of unintended pregnancies will go down.

Male Sterilization vasectomy is a permanent surgical technique in which the vas deferens tubes which carry the sperm is sealed, so that sperm are no longer present in semen when a man ejaculates. Sperm continues to be produced by the testicles but the passage to the penis is blocked, so it is re-absorbed by the body. Vasectomy has no effect on the production of male

Male and female tubal sterilization are permanent methods of contraception. They are for anyone who feels that their family is complete or who are certain that they will never want to have children. Many couples find greater sexual freedom once the risk of unwanted pregnancy has been removed. Female sterilization works by stopping the egg and the sperm meeting by cutting and blocking the fallopian tubes. Sterilization does not interfere with sex and it works immediately. Sterilization also offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections and H

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