#HealthBytes: All you need to know about birth-control methods
Contraception is a vital part of sex life, as it protects one from unplanned/unwanted pregnancies. Based on durability, there are different types of contraceptives, namely: short-term, long-term, and permanent. Since short-term birth-control tools can be cumbersome, time-consuming, and may invite carelessness on your part, long-term/permanent contraceptives can prove to be more effective and convenient. Here's all you need to know about permanent contraception.
What is permanent contraception?
Permanent contraception, also called permanent infertility or sterilization is a form of birth control (surgical as well as non-surgical) that extends through the life of the user. It is a one-time procedure, and is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. But once performed, permanent birth-control methods cannot be reversed, implying that one has to be extremely sure before taking the call. Also, they provide no protection from Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Vasectomy: For men
Vasectomy is a male sterilization procedure that involves cutting and tying of tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperms up from the testicles. This restricts the sperm from traveling through the tubes, and mixing with the semen. Notably, men who've undergone vasectomy still feel sexually driven. In fact, they still produce semen, and ejaculate quite like before, but since their semen lacks sperm, the female egg can't be fertilized.
Tubal Ligation: For women
Tubal ligation is a surgical contraception performed on women, in which both the fallopian tubes are closed, so that the sperm can't reach the egg to fertilize it. These tubes are closed using rings, or clips, or through cutting and tying. Tubal ligations are performed in the hospital, and the lady is given general anaesthetic before the procedure.
Note: Use of condoms is still recommended
Although with permanent sterilization, you won't have to worry about unplanned/unwanted pregnancy, but these methods do not provide any protection whatsoever against Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). That's why, use of condom is recommended, each time you perform sexual activity/intercourse.
