How many forms of birth control are there?

Answer 1

There are three kinds of Birth Control: contraception, abortion and sterilisation. New ontraceptives are being introduced all the time but essentially these are the types now available in most countries:

1. Barrier methods - condom, cap or vimule and diaphragm (also known as the Dutch cap)

2. Mechanical - the ordinary IUD, often made of copper and/or plastic

3. Hormonal - the Pill (combined oestrogen & progestogen or progestogen only, also known as the mini-pill), subdermal implants and

4. The Mirena coil or IUS, which is a combination of the IUD and the mini-pill, releasing progestogen (in the form of Levonorgestrol) directly into the uterus for around 5 years

The most reliable forms of birth control are sterilisation by tubal ligation or by spaying (most women choose the former) and the Mirena coil, which has yet to be known to fail. The next most reliable methods are the combined pill (though it would be more reliable if taken continuously rather than on that silly on-off-on-off basis) and a combination of the mini-pill and the condom, which would also protect you against STIs or the mini-pill plus the vimule or the diaphragm.

On top of this, there are also some anti-oestrogenic drugs such as Tamoxifen and Megace (megestrol acetate) that are not licensed as contraceptives but would certainly render a woman infertile. Megestrol acetate is widely used by vets under the trade name Ovarid.

The most popular method of birth control in the UK for people over the age of 35 is sterilisation by tubal ligation.