First, there's the condom. It's an accessible, relatively affordable option that doesn't wreak havoc on our bodies, but men (and many women) don't like them. Sex is all about rhythm, and the condom — while excellent for safe sex — totally disrupts it.
A diaphragm solves the rhythm problem. Your ob-gyn fits you for an appropriate size and you insert it before you so much as kiss your partner. A diaphragm can remain in place for multiple sessions of sex, as the rhythm moves you. Some women, however, say that their attempts at inserting and removing a diaphragm make it a less-than-ideal option.
Systemic birth-control methods (pills, shots, and patches) offer unparalleled convenience, but they often include undesirable effects. The pill and the patch may cause low libido, breast tenderness, and mood fluctuations. The Depo-Provera shot offers three months of continuous birth control and is an option for women who can't take estrogen. However, it may cause temporary bone thinning, and any additional side effects will be a nuisance until the shot has worn off (12 weeks). If you absolutely love the convenience of the pill or patch, check out NuvaRing. It may be a better alternative, with all the benefits and fewer side effects.
For women who don't plan on having children in the near future, an intrauterine device (IUD) could be close to perfect, since it remains in place for up to 12 years. However, many women are understandably wary of the small, but real, risk of scar tissue developing in the fallopian tubes, which can lead to trouble conceiving later.
For now, birth control is a matter of weighing the pros against the cons and going with the method that's good enough.
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