From time immemorial women have aspired for birth control methods. It is only during the latter half of the last century that techniques have been perfected. There can be nothing like a 100% safe technique; whether it is male or female contraceptives, there is always the risk of getting pregnant on birth control. Before the advent of contraceptives, some technique like the withdrawal method where used, but the failure rates where usually high and difficult to follow or practice in reality.
Most of the techniques that involve the use of oral drugs, male and female condoms and implantations have all been perfected, but nevertheless they carry a small percentage of risk. Selecting the right kind of contraceptive is a matter of personal preference between the consenting partners in sexual relationship. Unless your doctor advices otherwise, you can make your choice from the many techniques that are available. Making the right choice can be a little difficult. After all, making the final choice will always be yours and that of your partner’s. So you will need to discuss that beforehand and take the decision. Before you take the plunge, you will first need to dispel the myths that surround the contraceptives and the techniques themselves. Here are some myths that you will need to understand.
· It is a common belief that unprotected sex during the menstrual period will not result in pregnancy. Not at all true. The chances are that you will get pregnant. There is no way to tell that you definitely have no ripe egg waiting for the sperms. If you will not mind getting pregnant, then it should be alright.
· Breast feeding many believe can relieve one from the chances of getting pregnant on birth control, because, you will not be menstruating and hence there is no chance of conceiving. Chances are that menstruation can start anytime, and your partner’s sperms can live and be active even up to 5 days in your body.
· The withdrawal method works wonderfully well. You can never trust this method to give you total protection from getting pregnant on birth control. The final ejaculate, called the semen, carries most of the sperms, but the small amount of lubricant like fluid that flow during sex also carry enough number of sperms that can result in pregnancy.
· Douches, washing or bathing after sex will prevent one from unwanted pregnancy. Remember that the sperms can travel faster than you may imagine. It can happen in a few minutes, and by the time you have had a douche or washed your vagina, the sperm would have traveled far enough to meet the ovum. It is certainly not a sure way to prevent getting pregnant on birth control.
· First time sex never results in pregnancy. The contrary is true. Young women who have sex stand a higher chance of getting pregnant on birth control because they are usually fertile when compared with older women. This is one of the most common myths that young uninitiated women need to dispel. So always insist that your partner use a condom for safe sex.
· The oral pill is a sure fire way to avoid getting pregnant on birth control and also protects women from contracting sexually transmitted diseases. The oral pill, just like any other contraceptive has limitations, and even if you are on it regularly, there is a possibility of getting pregnant. Remember, the ovum is quite capable of cheating any drugs that have been produced so far. It is absolutely absurd to say that they will protect you from sexually transmitted disease. These two issues are totally unrelated to each other.
· Occasional unprotected sex with a man will not result in getting pregnant on birth control. It hardly matters how many times you have sex to get pregnant; once, twice or daily don’t matter. It can happen the first time or not all, even after 100 encounters. If you are in your prime age, ovulate well and have a mature egg waiting for the sperms, and your partner’s semen is of the right quality, then conception is almost immediate.
· Sex past 45 years will protect the women from pregnancy. If you are still menstruating the chances are that you are also producing the egg, and you will get pregnant if you have no other complication, presuming your partner has the right semen quality. It is not uncommon for women to get pregnant even in early 50s. There are some cases that should buttress this contention.
Unless your doctor tells that you have no chances of getting pregnant on birth control don’t take to unprotected sex. One of the best reasons to assure yourself that you will not get pregnant is the cessation of the menstrual cycle permanently. If you are past 45 years and menopause has set in, and you do not menstruate for the next 1 or more years, then you will certainly not need any birth control treatments.