Question

PLEASE HELP ME



If strictly practiced, which of the following methods of birth control is 100 percent effective?

abstinence
condoms
withdrawal
diaphragm with spermicide

Answer 1

Preventing Pregnancy, Part 1

IIn a prior lesson, you learned how pregnancy occurs. In this lesson, you'll learn how pregnancy can be prevented. Since becoming pregnant is called conception, preventing pregnancy is called contraception (contra means “against”). Specific methods, such as condoms or birth control pills, are called contraceptives, or birth control methods.

Today , birth control is widely available and commonly used, but that has happened only recently. In the late 19th century, there were laws that prohibited the advertisement or distribution of birth control in the United States. In the 1920s, feminists such as Margaret Sanger worked to change the laws and make birth control available. In 1965, the U.S. Supreme Court proclaimed that married couples had a legal right to use birth control. In 1972, the Supreme Court legalized birth control for all citizens, regardless of their marital status.

There is still some controversy about contraception. The most consistent opposition comes from the Catholic Church, which maintains that it is wrong to use any form of contraception.

The decision to use birth control is one shaped by the specific beliefs and needs of individuals, couples, and families. Like any decision, it is best made with knowledge and awareness.

This lesson presents information on several different contraceptive methods. Some are more effective than others in preventing pregnancy. You'll also read about several practices that are not effective in preventing pregnancy.
Preventing Pregnancy—What Works

There are many effective methods for preventing pregnancy. You'll learn about a number of widely used contraceptive methods, about how they work, and about how effective each method is. Because there are so many methods, it helps to group them in categories according to how they work:
• Abstinence. Refraining from having sex
• Hormonal methods. Preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs each month
• Barrier methods. Using a physical barrier so that sperm can’t reach the egg
• Spermicidal methods. Chemically killing sperm so that they can't reach the egg
• Sterilization. Undergoing surgery that differs for men and women but with the same basic goal of preventing sperm and egg from meeting
• Other methods. Various options, including IUDs (intrauterine devices) and the so-called “morning-after pill”

Later in this lesson, you’ll also look at certain practices that are not effective in preventing pregnancy.
Abstinence—100 Percent Effective

To abstain is to choose not to do something, usually something enjoyable or tempting, such that not doing it requires an effort of self-control or strong will. For example, a person might abstain from eating candy, or abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages.

The act of abstaining is called abstinence. Sexual abstinence is the act of refraining from sexual relations.

If strictly practiced, then abstinence is the only method of birth control that is 100 percent effective. It is one of the few contraceptive methods that not only prevents pregnancy but can also provide protection from STDs.

Abstinence costs nothing and can be practiced by anyone, anywhere, and at any time. Abstinence, however, does require good communication between partners and a lot of self-control.

Some couples limit their definition of abstinence to refraining from sexual intercourse. If they stop short of intercourse but engage in sexual activity that results in ejaculation near the labia or opening to the vagina, they are at risk, because, due to the mobility of sperm, pregnancy might still occur.
Hormonal Methods

Hormonal methods of birth control change a woman's hormone levels to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal methods are very effective, but they require a prescription, must be obtained from a doctor or clinic, and are not right for all women.

Like all prescription drugs, hormonal methods have side effects and risks. For example, women who use hormonal methods of birth control can be at greater risk of developing blood clots or having heart attacks or strokes, especially if they are over 35 and smoke cigarettes. Doctors and nurse practitioners will review a woman's health and medical history and discuss whether hormonal methods of birth control are right for her.

On the following screens, you will learn about several hormonal methods of birth control, including the pill, the shot, the patch, the ring, and the implant.
The Pill

The most popular hormonal method is called the oral contraceptive, birth control pill, or just “the pill.” Birth control pills need to be taken every single day, at the same time every day, so that the proper hormone levels are maintained in the woman’s body. When taken correctly, the pill is 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

Advantages: Oral contraceptives often make a woman’s periods very regular, with lighter flow and fewer cramps.

Disadvantages: The pill is only available as a prescription, does not protect against STDs, and can cause side effects such as weight gain, breast tenderness, and nausea. The Shot

The shot is a hormonal contraceptive that is injected with a syringe at a doctor’s office or clinic every three months. If injections are administered on time, the shot is 99 percent effective.

Advantages: A woman receives the shot only once every three months.

Disadvantages: The shot is only available as a prescription and does not protect against STDs. It takes longer for this form of hormonal treatment to wear off, if a woman decides she wants to become pregnant. A common side effect is irregular bleeding. Less common side effects include headaches, nausea, skin rashes, and vaginal dryness.


The Patch

The patch is a hormonal contraceptive similar to nicotine patches that people wear to help them stop smoking. It is a thin, plastic patch with a strong adhesive, worn on a woman’s skin, that slowly releases hormones into her bloodstream. With proper use, the patch is 99 percent effective.

Advantages: A patch needs to be replaced with a new one only three times per month.

Disadvantages: The patch is only available as a prescription, does not protect against STDs, may be less effective for women over a certain weight, and may cause side effects such as blood clots, weight gain, and breast tenderness. The Ring
The vaginal ring is a soft, flexible plastic ring that is placed into the vagina and stays in place around the cervix for three weeks at a time, slowly releasing hormones into the woman’s bloodstream. Used properly, the vaginal ring is 99 percent effective.

Advantages: The ring delivers hormones directly to the walls of the vagina and therefore can be effective with lower doses.

Disadvantages: The ring is only available as a prescription, does not protect against STDs, and may cause side effects such as weight change, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, and alteration in mood.
The Implant

The implant is a long-term hormonal contraception that is surgically implanted under the skin of a woman’s upper, inner arm and slowly release hormones into the bloodstream. The implant is 99 percent effective.

Advantages: An implant can provide effective contraception for up to five years.

Disadvantages: The implant requires a surgical procedure, does not protect against STDs, and may cause the same side effects as other hormonal methods.
Barrier Methods

Barrier methods of birth control are contraceptives that form a physical barrier to block the sperm from reaching the egg. Some barrier methods, such as condoms (discussed below), block the transmission of body fluids, and can provide significant protection against STDs.
The Male Condom

The most popular barrier method is the male condom. Condoms are sheaths that fit snugly over the man's erect penis during sexual intercourse to prevent sperm from entering the woman’s vagina. They are usually made of rubber (latex) or plastic, and sometimes of animal skin (sheepskin, lambskin, or "natural skin").

Because male condoms greatly limit the transmission or mixing of semen and vaginal fluids, and also limit direct genital skin-to-skin contact, they are highly effective at preventing the transmission of STDs. In addition, if used consistently and correctly, they are 85 to 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

Condoms are inexpensive and can be purchased without a prescription at many grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Unlike hormonal methods, however, a new condom must be put on just before intercourse, so condoms require planning ahead and communication between partners.

Latex condoms are the most common, effective type. Latex is a very thin, strong, and flexible type of rubber. About 2 percent of Americans have allergic reactions or irritated skin when using latex, so plastic condoms also are available.

Animal-skin condoms should be avoided because they are thinner than latex or plastic and more likely to break during sex. Also, they have microscopic holes that, while too small to allow sperm to get through, will allow the passage of HIV, because this virus (which causes AIDS) is even smaller than sperm. Effective Use of the Male Condom

Condoms are only effective if used consistently and correctly. Couples who choose to use a male condom need to be careful about the following:
• Condoms have an expiration date. A brittle or damaged condom should be discarded.
• The condom must be put on as early as possible after erection. As you learned earlier, the penis releases a small amount of fluid well before ejaculation, and it's important that the condom be in place to prevent this fluid from entering the vagina.
• A lubricant can reduce friction and the possibility of breakage. Some condoms are pre-lubricated, while others are not. Lubricants should be water-based. Silicone- and oil-based lubricants—such as baby oil or petroleum jelly—must not be used because they can weaken the condom and make it break.
• After ejaculation, the penis must be removed from the vagina immediately, and the condom discarded carefully.
• Condoms cannot be reused.

The Female Condom

The female condom, also known as the vaginal pouch, is similar to the male condom.

The female condom is made out of plastic and is designed to fit inside the vagina and collect semen after the male ejaculates.

Like the male condom, the female condom reduces skin-to-skin contact during sex and prevents transmission of fluids, so it not only protects against pregnancy but also against STDs. When used carefully and consistently, it is up to 95 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

Like the male condom, the female condom is inexpensive and easy to obtain over the counter at many drug and grocery stores. Also like the male condom, it must be put on before sex (in a woman's case, inserted into the vagina), so it requires good communication and comfort between partners. Effective Use of the Female Condom

For maximum effectiveness, the female condom must be used properly. Couples who choose to use a female condom need to be careful about the following:
• Condoms have an expiration date. A brittle or damaged condom should be discarded.
• Spermicide (discussed later in this lesson) may be added for greater protection.
• The outer ring of the female condom is designed to stay outside of the labia during sex. The penis must be carefully inserted inside the female condom.
• After ejaculation, the penis should be pulled out immediately. Then the condom should be promptly (and carefully removed to ensure that no semen spills out), and then immediately discarded.
• Like the male condom, the female condom cannot be reused.
The Diaphragm and Cervical Cap
Two additional barrier forms of contraception are the diaphragm and the cervical cap.
• The diaphragm is a small, dome-shaped, flexible, plastic cup that a woman fills with spermicidal (sperm-killing) jelly and then inserts inside her vagina.
• The cervical cap is smaller, thimble-shaped, and less flexible than a diaphragm. It is designed to fit snugly on the cervix. Like a diaphragm, it is used with spermicidal jelly.

Both the diaphragm and the cap are designed to block sperm from getting through the cervix and up into the uterus. If sperm make it past the plastic barrier, then the spermicidal jelly is there to kill them. (Note that spermicidal jellies can cause unwanted side effects in some women, another reason why the diaphragm or the cervical cap must be used only with the advice of a doctor.)

Both devices have to be prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner, and instructions must be carefully followed for proper insertion for maximum effectiveness. Both devices must also be inserted prior to sex and left in place for about six hours after sex to make sure all sperm have been blocked or killed. The diaphragm and cervical cap can be reused after washing with mild soap and water. Under typical circumstances, the devices last for about a year. For women who have never had children, the diaphragm and cervical cap are up to 91 percent effective. For women who have had children, the diaphragm and cervical cap are only about 74- to 80 percent effective. These devices are less effective for women who have delivered babies vaginally because after birth the cervix tends to be larger and remains slightly more open than in women who have never given birth. Also, neither the diaphragm nor the cervical cap can prevent STDs, because they don't protect the vaginal wall from contact with infectious agents during intercourse.
Spermicidal Methods

Spermicidal methods of contraception use chemicals to kill or immobilize sperm. The most common spermicidal chemical is called nonoxynol-9. These spermicides come in many different forms — liquids (sometimes on prelubricated condoms), cream, gel, jelly, foam, film, and capsules or suppositories. (There is also the contraceptive sponge, a barrier method that contains spermicide.)

Spermicides usually aren't very effective by themselves. As you learned earlier, when a man ejaculates inside the vagina, he can release up to 300 to 400 million sperm. It's very difficult for a small amount of chemical to stop or kill that many sperm.

Spermicides are often used with another birth control method or as a back-up. For example, many people prefer to use a male or female condom along with a vaginal spermicide. Women who insert a diaphragm or cervical cap fill the plastic with spermicidal jelly beforehand.

Vaginal spermicides kill not only sperm but bacteria and viruses as well, so they provide some protection against STDs. Just as with sperm, however, it's difficult for the spermicide to kill all bacteria and viruses that might be present in semen or vaginal fluid, so the protection that spermicides give isn't as effective as what condoms provide. Like condoms, spermicides are available without a prescription and are fairly inexpensive.

There are medical warnings about the safety of spermicides for some women, especially those who are allergic to nonoxynol-9 . So, even though spermicides are available without a prescription, women might first want to consult their doctor.
Sterilization

If a surgeon’s instruments are sterilized, it means they are cleaned until they are free of germs. But sterilize can also mean to take away the capability to reproduce. For men and women, there are surgical methods of sterilization that are permanent forms of birth control.

While sterilization methods are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy—99 percent effective—they are meant to be permanent, so a person should be completely certain that he or she never wants to have more children before undergoing sterilization.

In men, the surgical procedure is called a vasectomy, which is a fairly simple and safe operation. A doctor makes a small incision at the top of the man's scrotum (the sack of skin that holds the testicles) and cuts, blocks, or ties off each of the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm up from the testicles).

Contrary to various myths and rumors, a vasectomy does not lower the production of male hormones, nor does it affect a man’s ability to achieve an erection. After a vasectomy, a man still ejaculates, but the fluid doesn't have sperm in it, so it can’t fertilize an egg, and thus can’t make a woman pregnant.

For women, the sterilization procedure is called tubal ligation. Tubal ligation is more complicated than vasectomy because the fallopian tubes are harder to reach inside the woman and require a longer surgical procedure. Each of the fallopian tubes is cut, tied, or blocked off so that eggs can't get through.

Women who've had their "tubes tied" still produce female hormones and have periods, but they can't get pregnant because the pathway by which sperm reach an egg has been permanently blocked.

For both men and women, sterilization involves going through surgical procedures intended to prevent pregnancy by preventing eggs from meeting sperm. Sterilization does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases or infections.
Intrauterine Devices

One of two additional birth control methods that don't fall into the categories you've learned about so far is the IUD, or intrauterine device, a small, plastic device placed by a doctor or nurse practitioner into a woman's uterus.

There are different types of IUDs with different shapes. Some are shaped like a letter T, and some look more like a number 7. Some IUDs have copper, while others include synthetic (manmade) hormones to help prevent pregnancy.

IUDs lessen the likelihood of ovulation and reduce the likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting in the uterus. An IUD that uses hormones thickens the cervical mucus, which helps block sperm from getting into the uterus. IUDs can be left in the uterus for several years (depending on the type of IUD).

IUDs are about 99 percent effective. However, they do not protect against STDs. An IUD can cause unwanted side effects in some women. Before a woman decides to use an IUD, she must consult a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception (EC), often called the morning-after pill, is the only contraceptive designed to be used after sex. It can be used if a couple neglected to use birth control during sex or if a contraceptive method failed (for example, if a condom broke). It can also be used in cases of rape.

The morning-after pill is in one sense misnamed because a typical dosage requires that a woman take more than one pill. The pills provide a larger-than-normal dose of hormones. There is some controversy about exactly how emergency contraception works to prevent pregnancy, but studies show that it is most effective when taken within 24 to 48 hours after sex, and can work even if taken up to five days afterward.

As with any other medication, EC has certain side effects and is not appropriate for all women. Recently, some morning-after pills have become available without a prescription.
Contraceptive Methods That Do NOT Work

Birth control is a topic surrounded by rumor and misinformation. Certain methods are claimed to prevent pregnancy, but they don’t. Let’s separate fact from fiction.

Betting on Luck Is a Bad Bet

Some young people have the mistaken idea that they are invincible—that bad things won't ever happen to them. They may assume that because they've had sex a few times without getting pregnant, it never will happen. Nothing could be more wrong.

Relying on luck or chance is a sure bet—that is, a bet you will surely lose. The truth is, 90 percent of sexually active teen couples who do not use a reliable birth control method will experience a pregnancy in the course of a year. So, pregnancy may not happen right away, but the more times a couple has sex without contraception, the more they are risking unintended pregnancy.
Withdrawal

Another ineffective method of birth control is known by the Latin phrase coitus interruptus—that is, withdrawal, or pulling the penis out of the vagina before the male ejaculates.

Even before ejaculation, a small amount of fluid is released from the penis, which acts to clean out the male urethra (the tube that runs along the inside of the penis). This fluid contains sperm. In other words, sperm can enter the vagina before ejaculation occurs, so withdrawal is useless as a contraceptive technique.

Even if withdrawal were effective—which it is not—many men lack the self-control to pull out of the vagina before ejaculating.

Douching

Douching is the act of rinsing out a bodily cavity. Some women occasionally use a douche to rinse out the vagina. They use a solution that is supposed to cleanse or deodorize the vagina.

Some women try douching after sexual intercourse, thinking that the liquid will somehow kill or rinse out all the sperm. This does not work. Remember, when a man ejaculates, he can release more than 400 million sperm, and they can very quickly enter the uterus through the cervix. No amount of rinsing the vagina is going to flush out all these sperm.

Douching changes the natural chemistry of the vagina. Douching too often can end up irritating the tissues or causing other medical problems.

Natural Family Planning

Some couples rely on a group of birth control strategies called natural family planning, or NFP. You might hear these methods referred to by other terms, such as periodic abstinence or fertility awareness, the rhythm method, or the calendar method.

All NFP methods involve a woman tracking her menstrual cycle on a calendar and paying close attention to body symptoms that change slightly throughout the month. For example, women may take their temperatures daily, chart the results, and watch for the slight rise in temperature that can indicate ovulation. Or they might watch for changes in the consistency of vaginal fluids, which they interpret as a sign of ovulation. The idea behind such practices is that if a woman knows when she is ovulating and how long an egg might be present and ready for fertilization, she can abstain from sex on those days of the month and thus avoid pregnancy.

In practice, this procedure rarely works as a single method of birth control. The bodily indications are too vague or variable for a woman to be completely sure about whether and when she is ovulating. The procedure also requires an intensely disciplined daily focus, a focus that many women, especially young women, find it difficult to maintain.

Persistent Myths
With all you have read and learned, the situations described below might seem laughable. But there are lots of superstitions surrounding sex, and people readily believe what they want to believe. For example:
• A couple believes that “you can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex.” But it is possible—and in a couple of months, they face the hard fact that the girl is pregnant.
• A couple believes that the girl won’t get pregnant if, immediately after having sex, she jumps up and down for two minutes, or takes a very hot bath—and then, after a couple of months have passed, she has missed her period twice….
• A girl believes she can’t get pregnant if she has sex during her period—but sperm can stay alive for several days in the vagina, and depending on the timing of her ovulation, the girl might find herself pregnant.

Use your knowledge. Resist believing hearsay about sex.

Answer 2

This is the math section, and your question would have a better chance of being answered if posted in the English section. Here is a link:
http://openstudy.com/study#/groups/English

\(\Large\cal\color{royalblue}{Have~a~great~day!}\)

Answer 3

@goof100

Follow @Secret-Ninja 's advice of posting the questions in the appropriate section (perhaps Biology).
Also, the answer to your question is explicitly part of the text that you posted. So read through the text, and you will be able to answer the posted question, and perhaps many more.

Answer 4

By the way, the most obvious answer is A. Abstinence. If you don't have sex, you don't get pregnant.