Birth Control
Birth Control or Contraception, deliberate prevention of pregnancy using any of several methods. Birth control prevents a female sex cell (egg) from being fertilized by a male sex cell (sperm) and implanting in the uterus. In the United States, about 64 percent of women aged 15 to 44 years practice some form of birth control. When no birth control is used, about 85 percent of sexually active couples experience a pregnancy within one year. TYPES OF BIRTH CONTROL Barrier Methods Barrier methods physically block sperm from entering the uterus to unite with an egg. Barrier methods must be used with each act of sexual intercourse. While they are easy to use, some people feel barrier methods are inconvenient because they interfere with sexual spontaneity. Barrier methods include male and female condoms, the diaphragm, the cervical cap, and spermicides. Male Condom -> The male condom is a thin sheath made of latex, polyurethane, or less commonly, animal membrane, that fits over an erect p...