It's High Time You Alter Your Birth Control

Here are the options.

- Deepalatha

When a woman crosses her threshold of 35 years it becomes high time for her to effect changes in her birth control practices. Says Dr Anita Nelson, US, “A woman’s contraceptive needs change as her life changes.” “A barrier method may be great and welcome when you are just 21 and concerned about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, but it may not be ideal when you attain the age of 35 and married with kids,” she adds.

You need to reassess your birth control periodically in consultation with your family physician or a gynaecologist, taking your health, lifestyle, sex life and desire for off springs into consideration.

Here are guidelines for your options and sane advice on what to use and when.

The IUD:

The most extensively employed intrauterine device (IUD) is a piece of plastic with copper outside, that’s inserted into the uterus to stop sperm from reaching an ovum. Another type of IUD contains the hormone progesterone.

There are benefits and drawbacks: The benefits are long-lasting, offering reversible protection and an insertion process lasting barely a few minutes, causing only minor discomfiture. The progesterone option also brings down menstrual cramps and flow.

The drawback is that the copper IUD can cause heavier-than-usual periods and both varieties cannot protect you from STDs.

If you are in a mutually monogamous, long-term relationship and want to wait a while prior to having another child, this device is not necessary. Also, no need for it if you suffer from pelvic inflammatory ailments.

The contraceptive pill: