
Birth control (contraceptive) is any method, medicine or device used to prevent pregnancy. Women can choose from any different types of birth control, some work better than others at preventing pregnancy. The type of birth control you use depend on your health. However, there are some factors that can make several kinds of birth-control less effective. Some statistics explained that the effectiveness of birth control is based on how it is used perfectly, this means that the method used is exactly as directed. But it is important to know that some people are not perfect with using birth control.
Below are some factors that can reduce the effectiveness of birth control perfectly. They are as follows:
- Herbal Remedies: Some herbal remedies can reduce the effectiveness of some birth control, for example St John’ wort, a pill used to treat mild to moderate depression and sleep disorder. A study shows that women who took birth control pills and St John’s wort at the same time had a higher rate of breakthrough bleeding and an increase breakdown of estrogen in their bodies in their bodies, this is a sigh that contraceptives might not work as they well as they should. Other herbal remedies that may affect how well birth control pills work are garlic pills that some people take for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other heart and blood diseases. Flaxseed that is used for digestive problem like severe constipation and irritable bowel also affect birth control pills.
- Not Taking your Pill at the Right Time: Because of the different brands of birth control pills, though all work on a specific time forgetting to take a dose or taking it late might lead to a greater chance of getting pregnant. For instance, if you’re on progestin only pill you must get your dose within the same 3 hours windows every day for a maximum effectiveness.
- Excess Weight: According to some evidence excess weight can reduce how effective some birth control method works, although it depends on the type. According to some review in 2013 it reported that birth control options may be less effective for women that are overweight. For instance, combined oral contraceptive, the patch and emergency contraceptive pills, some evidence suggested that continuous use of a high dose of oral contraceptives can increase efficacy in people that are overweight or obese.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are prescribed to treat all kinds of infections caused by bacteria like pneumonia, anal and urinary tract infection, you don’t have to worry about taking them. So far, the only antibiotics that studies shows to interfere with birth control is rifampin (Rifidin) a drug used to treat tuberculosis. Rifampin causes irregular periods, it raises the risk that you might get pregnant even if you use your birth control the right way. Aside from rifampin it is safe to take birth control pills the same time as antibiotics.
- Taking Some Kind of Medication: some medication might make birth control less effective and they include:
Anti-hiv drugs
Anti-fungal medication
Anti-seizure drugs
According to a study in 1996 the report show that some anti-epileptic medication can reduce oral contraception hormone level that many doctors were unaware of the connection. Health Professional should be aware of these drug interactions with birth control.
- Not Breast Feeding Often when Relying on LAM Method: Lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM) is a temporary birth control method used by those who had just had a baby. While breastfeeding your child and you haven’t started menstruating yet, after having a baby your body will temporarily stop ovulating. However, for this method to be effective you must breast feed often.
- Not Properly Using Condoms, Diaphragm or other Barriers: Prophylactics can fail if they are not properly used the right way, caution should be taken while opening a package of condom to avoid tearing the condom, hold the tip when putting it on, to make sure air doesn’t get caught inside. Instruction should be followed closely while using a diaphragm, as timing makes the difference. For instance, if you put a diaphragm longer than 2 hours before sex, the spermicide won’t work as well and you’ll get less protection from being pregnant.
- Refusing to wait Longer after Vasectomy: Vasectomy is a small operation that takes about 30 minutes to perform and these helps to prevent pregnancy. It blocks sperm from getting to your semen when you are ejaculate, with no sperm leaving the male’s body it is impossible to get someone pregnant but you can still have orgasm and ejaculation. Vasectomy is one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy but for the first 3months after the procedure it is advisable to use additional method of birth control to prevent pregnancy.
Summary: There are many options for family planning you can seek for your doctor’s advice to find out the method you can use in the right way that offers benefit and a level of protection that is effective for you.
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