Contraception is not only protection from the undesirable pregnancy. It is a way of giving birth to a healthy child when you really want that. Term contraception is also known as birth control. It means prevention of conception(impregnation). Nowadays medical science invented a lot of birth control methods. However, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. People who choose any of birth control methods should know how they work? how safe are they? how will they influence your lifestyle? Do birth control methods protect from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? Knowing all of these will help you choose more appropriate contraceptives for you. All the birth control methods can be divided into several groups:

Barrier methods. These methods do not provide 100 % efficiency. People usually use male or female condoms, diaphragms, suppositories, cervical caps, spermicidal foams, gels or sponges. They work by preventing sperm from penetrating the uterus and reaching the egg. Female or male condoms can protect you from spreading the sexually transmitted diseases. These are HIV, genital herpes or chlamydia.

Intrauterine device (IUD). This is a plastic, T-shaped device that is placed into the uterus. It consists of 3 parts : copper , plastic strings and the hormone called levonorgestrel(the synthetic form of the female sex hormone called progesterone) One of the most popular intrauterine device that is presented on the world pharmaceutical market is Mirena. Mirena is manufactured by Bayer Shering. It guarantees the reliable protection from the undesirable pregnancy during 5 years. Mirena is a perfect choice for:

• Women who need prolonged contraception.
• Mothers who are breastfeeding and worry about the quality of breast milk .The dosage of levonorgestrel is so small that it doesn't exert systemic action on the woman's organism. It insures only local protection.
• Women, who suffer from the ample menses.

Hormonal methods of birth control became widespread for the last 10 years. They are also known as oral contraceptives or birth control pills. There are two main types of birth control pills:

• Combined oral birth control pills . They contain both an estrogen and a progestin(synthetic analogue of progesterone).
• Progestin-only birth control pills known as ''mini pills'' or injections(Depo provera). This type of birth control pills may be an option for people who can't take estrogen(breastfeeding mothers and women who suffer from clotting disorders)

Combined oral birth control pills work be stopping ovulation(maturation of ovarian follicle and discharge of female gamete called eggs). Some of them also work by changing cervical mucous. This makes more difficult for sperm to enter from the vagina into the uterus. By changing the endometrium oral birth control pills make uterus less receptive to an embryo.

One of the most popular birth control pills that was highly effective in many clinical trials is Yasmin. Only 1% of women who took Yasmin became pregnant during a year. Yasmin is also used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Yasmin contains two active ingredients: ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone, a progesterone hormone that works by neutralizing the effects of male hormone called testosterone. In some women male hormones can cause acne. In this way Yasmin is used to treat the symptoms of acne. In spite of its advantages Yasmin can cause side effects and has some contradiction. That's why you should talk with your health care provider prior to taking this medicine.

By choosing any birth control methods you should keep in mind that none of the methods can give you 100% guarantee from unwanted pregnancy. However some of them proved their high efficiency and safety.