Today, in the 21st century of medicine and science, there are a lot of different birth control options.  Unfortunately for women, the most modern and effective birth control options are almost all targeted towards females.  Of course, there are plenty of older methods that are aimed at men as well.

The oldest and most tried and tested birth control option is by way of using contraceptive devices.  The most popular of these is still the condom.  Condoms are a very simple concept that has been in use in one form or other since the time of the ancient Egyptians.  There are also diaphragms, female condoms, and spermicidal foams that are sometimes used as well.  The problem with contraceptive devices is that they all have a relatively high rate of failure, and are prone to misuse.  If not used correctly, the rate of failure increases dramatically.  Still, one or more of these methods used together can give a very low likelihood of pregnancy.  More importantly, condoms also protective against many forms of sexually transmitted diseases (although not all!) and for this reason alone will probably remain popular for years to come. 

With respect to avoiding pregnancy as the goal (as opposed to disease) the more modern and most effective birth control options involved the use of hormone supplements for women.  By taking a low amount of estrogen and progesterone during the right time of the menstrual cycle, women effectively trick their bodies into thinking that they are already pregnant.  They are then therefore no longer able to get pregnant while taking the hormone supplements. 

Because being pregnant is a totally natural and not unhealthy condition, these hormone supplements are a birth control option that is generally not harmful, however they do have a number of side effects.  The side effects vary from woman to woman, but can include weight gain, nausea, headaches, moodiness, and strange colored discharges.  Most of these side effects are temporary and fade with continued use.  Also, taking any of this form of birth control can increase your risk of heart disease, especially if you’re a smoker.

Hormone supplements are becoming an extremely popular birth control option in industrialized countries.  They are extremely effective, have a low margin for error, and are often even covered by health insurance.  Birth control options today usually refers to what kind of hormone supplement to choose from, as there are different ways of administering the hormones now.  You can take pills, use patches, or get an occasional injection.  There are even types of birth control options that involve place hormone effusing devices within the body. 

Which birth control option is best for you is of course best discussed with your doctor. For married women, it’s best to discuss about the various birth control options and their side effects with your husband. After all, they will affected by your decision too.