What is natural family planning? Natural family planning is a way to help a couple determine when sexual intercourse can and cannot result in pregnancy. During each menstrual cycle, one of a woman's ovaries releases an egg. This process is called ov

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For effective birth control, your diaphragm (see Picture 1 below) has to fit well. Your doctor will measure your vagina to find the correct size and fit for you. Your doctor or a nurse will teach you how to put the diaphragm in and take it out.

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  The progestin-only pill is better than regular birth control pills if you are breast-feeding because the mini-pill will not change your milk production. The mini-pill may be safer for some women to use. This pill is safer for women who are

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  A progestin-only contraceptive is one kind of birth control pill. It is often called the "mini-pill." Regular birth control pills have 2 female hormones: estrogen and progesterone. The mini-pill has only progesterone in it. Because

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You may have cramps and backache for the first few hours after an IUD is put in your uterus. Some women have bleeding for a couple of weeks after the IUD is inserted, and heavy periods after that. Rarely, the uterus can be injured when the IUD is put

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  An intrauterine device, called an IUD for short, is a small, plastic, T-shaped device with a string attached to the end. The IUD is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. This placement can be done during an office visit. Once in

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Can I use it if I am breastfeeding? Depo-Provera can be used safely in women who are breastfeeding. Long-term studies of babies whose mothers used Depo-Provera while breastfeeding found no bad effects.   Who should not use Depo-Provera? Wome

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  You should not use Depo-Provera for more than 2 years unless no other form of birth control is right for you. Using Depo-Provera can cause you to lose some of the calcium that is stored in your bones. The longer you use Depo-Provera, the

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  Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a drug very similar to progesterone, a hormone normally produced by the ovaries every month as part of the menstrual cycle. Depo-Provera is an injectable medicine that prevents pregnancy for up to

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  The box below shows the failure rates (number of pregnancies per 100 women per year) for different types of birth control. These numbers are for couples who use the methods the right way every time they have sex. The failure rates are higher

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  Natural family planning requires a couple to learn when in the woman's cycle she can get pregnant (usually 4 days before and 2 days after ovulation). They must use a barrier method of birth control or not have intercourse durin

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What about an IUD? "IUD" stands for "intrauterine device." An IUD is put in a woman's uterus by her doctor. It's made of flexible plastic. It isn't known exactly how IUDs prevent pregnancy. They seem to stop sperm from reaching

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  The vaginal contraceptive ring (brand name: NuvaRing) is a thin, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. It releases hormones that keep you from getting pregnant. These hormones are the same ones used in most birth control pills. The

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  Yes. Condoms aren't expensive, and they are widely available. Condoms are an especially good choice if you or your partner are also having sex with other people or if either of you has had sex with other people in the past. Condoms offer t

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  The type of birth control you choose depends on your needs. Some people only need to prevent pregnancy. Other people may also want to protect themselves or their partners from diseases that can be passed by having sex. These diseases are call

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  Ask your doctor. Don't have sex until you feel comfortable about it. It usually takes about a week after surgery. You'll have to wait at least 4 weeks if a sterilization is done shortly after childbirth.   Do I need my husband's o

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  That depends on your general health, your attitude, your job and the type of sterilization. Recovery is usually complete in a couple of days. You may want to take it easy for 1 week or so. Avoid heavy lifting for about 1 week. &nbs

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Will sterilization hurt? You will be given anesthetics before the procedure. The four types are general (makes you sleep), regional (makes you numb from the waist down), local (acts only where applied) and IV sedation (makes you calm). The choice of

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  Tubal sterilization is a type of surgery that helps keep you from getting pregnant. It closes off your fallopian tubes (which carries an egg to your uterus each month). When the tubes are closed, sperm can't reach the egg, so you can't get pr

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Levonorgestrel intrauterine system This IUD (brand name: Mirena) is like the older copper-containing IUD, but it is safer and has fewer side effects. It lasts for five years. It must be inserted by a doctor. Within a week after you start your period

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The vaginal contraceptive ring (brand name: NuvaRing) uses the same hormones as most birth control pills. It is a circular, flexible ring that is inserted in the vagina. The ring releases hormones that prevent you from getting pregnant. Unlike the di

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What are some of the new options? Three new birth control options for women have become available in this county: the vaginal contraceptive ring the contraceptive patch a new type of intrauterine device (IUD) All three are abo

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Contraception means preventing pregnancy. Most people know about options such as birth control pills and condoms. However, there are also other options. This article explains some of the newer choices for women. If you're thinking about birth co

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  If you can take regular birth control pills, you should be able to take emergency contraception pills. If you are pregnant, have breast cancer, or have had blood clots, you should not use emergency contraception pills. Talk with your doctor a

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Emergency contraception pills can be very effective if they are used in time. If used within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75% to 89%. It is important to remember that these pills will work best wh

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Pills used for emergency contraception can prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg, can prevent an egg from being fertilized by sperm or can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching itself to the wall of the uterus. Emergency contraceptive pills ar

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Emergency contraception is a form of birth control. You can use this method if you have had unprotected sex. For example, if your regular birth control fails (the condom breaks during sex), if you forget to take your birth control pills or if you hav

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