These are birth control methods available to you, but we do not recommend any other than saying NO! All but the condoms can cause abortions and NO OTHER FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL OTHER THAN SAYING NO PREVENTS SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES!

Just say "NO"

People will tell you birth control can allow you the joys of sex without the hassle of pregnancy. But you have to live with the consequences if your method of birth control fails.

Abstinence is the ONLY form of birth control that is 100% efficient to prevent pregnancy AND sexually transmitted diseases. Abstinence also promotes self-esteem because you don't have to worry about your reputation or what people are saying about you behind your back.

You have TOTAL CONTROL when you say no.

It's your body--make sure you don't become pregnant before you say "I do." Use abstinence as a much simpler form of contraception. You don't have to remember to take it, you won't have to take it in an emergency and there are no physically harmful side effects. All you have to do is say "NO."

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After an unexpected sexual encounter, a young woman comes home, takes a pill before bed and another late the next morning. No more pregnancy. What's the matter with this picture?

If you are a sexually active woman, or are thinking about becoming sexually active, you need to educate yourself about this subject.

What is the morning after pill?
The Morning After Pill is called MAP for short. The version of MAP for short. The version of MAP being considered by the FDA is called "Plan B." It consists of 2 tablets of levonorgestrel (progestin) taken 12 hours apart, generally within 72 hours of intercourse.

What are the side effects of MAP?
Possible side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting (especially in the Yuzpe regimen)
• Irregular and unpredictable menstrual periods (especially on multiple uses)
• Ectopic (tubal) pregnancies, which can be life-threatening
• Breast tenderness
• Infertility

What about long term effects?
In the rush to make MAP available, studies to determine the risks of long term and repeated use were not carried out. The FDA has the responsibility of regulating these drugs and normally requires extensive testing of any drug it approves.

The chemicals used in MAPs are much like those in birth control pills. Because of known health risks, the FDA requires a doctor's prescription for birth control pills. Yet MAP pills have a much higher dosage of these chemicals. Why shouldn't a doctor's prescription be required for this new high-dosage pill?

How does MAP work
There are three ways that MAP can work.

• by suppressing ovulation (female egg production in the ovary)
• by thickening mucous in the cervix which blocks sperm passage
• by making the lining of the uterus hostile to implantation and causing an abortion.

It is, of course, the last point that is of the highest concern, especially for people who value human life. Which leads us to a very important question:

Is MAP contraception or abortion?
Women who choose to use MAP will never know which has happened, because MAP can be both. If a woman has not yet ovulated, MAP works as a contraceptive by suppressing ovulation. However, if she has become pregnant, but the embryo has not yet implanted, the use of MAP is an abortion. Chemicals such as these that cause abortion are called "abortifacients."

Do Planned Parenthood and the FDA say it's not an abortifacient?
Yes on both counts. However, in order to say this, "when life begins" had to be redefined to fit the purpose. In an effort to make MAP more acceptable to the general public, the well-known truth about when life begins is simply ignored. If you "change the rules" and say life begins not at conception (fertilization), but implantation (7-10 days later), now MAP is not an abortifacient drug. But is this true, or just changing truth to fit the situation?

When does human life begin?
Actually, it's a simple biology question. Any good text on embryology can tell you. The sperm and ovum, neither of which can sustain life or direct growth by itself, come together at fertilization For the first time the new life has all 46 chromosomes and all the directions (DNA) it needs for the rest of life. The sex of the baby, the color of the hair, everything is already fixed. The only additional things required before a person dies of old age is shelter, nutrition and love.

Disease
No contraceptive or abortifacient can protect you from the growing epidemic of STDs (sexually transmitted disease). Neither can condoms provide complete protection from STDs or pregnancy. STD infection can occur in both males and females whether or not a condom is used.

Sometimes it seems that there is a health care philosophy in America that assumes you are incapable of making choices that will completely protect you from STDs and pregnancy. Why not tell the truth about how you can be completely protected? Here it is:

The surest way to avoid pregnancy or any infection with a sexually transmitted disease is to practice sexual abstinence (abstain from any sexual contact) while single. If you marry, select a partner who is not infected with an STD and remain sexually faithful during marriage.

This is the only guaranteed, 100% effective way to avoid infection and pregnancy. All other methods leave you vulnerable.  It's your life and your decision. Make it a good one.

(Information taken from "The Morning After Pill get the facts" Heritage House '76 Inc., Snowflake, AZ)

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A long-acting injectable method of birth control.

Depo-Provera is a long-acting synthetic hormone injected into a woman's arm or buttocks every three months. It is manufactured by Upjohn.

How it works

There are three ways Depo-Provera works to avoid pregnancy:

• Blocking ovulation (keeping the egg from being released from the ovary). No egg--no conception!
  
• Thickening the vaginal secretions. This makes it difficult for the sperm to get through the reproductive tract to the egg. If the two can't get together--no conception!
  
• Changing the lining of the uterus so the fertilized egg can't attach. If the first egg is released and the sperm does reach it, the uterus does not make a happy place for the egg to attach and grow, so it dies. Depo-Provera can cause very early abortions.
  
  

Possible Short-Term Side Effects

• Abnormal menstrual bleeding--either heavy and unpredictable or no menstruation at all.
  
• Breast swelling and tenderness
  
• Fluid retention
  
• Depression (could become severe)
  
• Weight gain
  
• Headaches
  
• Dizziness
  
• Delay in fertility after discontinuing use. If you want to get pregnant it may take six months up to two years after you stop receiving "the shot."
  
  

NOTE: If you do have side effects, they could last three months even if you've had only one shot.

Possible Long Term Side Effects

If you do become pregnant while taking the shot, your baby could suffer severe abnormalities.

You could suffer:

• Stroke
  
• Blood clots
  
• Heart attack
  
  

You should know that while Depo-Provera has been used by millions of women in Europe and many Third World countries, Upjohn has never done credible scientific follow-up studies on the long-term effects of the shot.

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taken daily by mouth

Birth control pills are artificial hormones taken by mouth to prevent or end a pregnancy. The pill came to the United States in 1960 and comes in two types: combination estrogen and progesterone and the progestin-only pill or mini-pill.

How it works

• Blocking ovulation--keeping the egg from being released from the ovary. No egg-no conception!
  
  • NOTE: The combined pill (estrogen and progesterone) fails in 4.7% of monthly cycles.
    
  • The mini-pill hardly ever prevents an egg from being released.
    
• Thickening the vaginal secretions. This makes it difficult for the sperm to get through the reproductive tract to the egg. If the two can't get together--no conception!
  
• Making the lining of the uterus "slippery" so the fertilized egg can't attach. If the first egg is released and the sperm does reach it, the uterus does not allow the egg to attach and grow, so it dies. The pill can cause very early abortions.
  
• Detaining the fertilized egg in the fallopian tube. By the time the fertilized egg gets to the uterus it is too old so it dries up and dies.
  
  

Minor Side Effects

• Nausea/Vomiting
  
• Breast tenderness
  
• Weight gain
  
• Fluid retention
  
• Headache
  
• Depression
  
• Spotting or bleeding between periods
  
• Missed menstrual periods
  
  

NOTE: These risks are dose-related. You may or may not stop having these side effects after three months or after adjusting the hormone level in the pill.

Major side effects

• High blood pressure
  
• Blood clots which could cause heart attacks or strokes
  
• Cancer of the cervix, ovaries, breasts, skin or liver
  
• Benign tumors in the cervix, ovaries, breasts or liver
  
• Gallbladder disease
  
• Impaired vision
  
  

Women with a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heavy smoking excessive weight and depression are at greater risk of these side effects.

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inserted into a woman's uterus

The Intrauterine Device is made of plastic and is inserted into the uterus to prevent contraception.

How it works

Often active chemicals such as progesterone or copper are added to the device claiming that the IUD prevents fertilization and the copper kills the sperm. However, no evidence has been gathered to support this theory. Many believe the IUD simply keeps the lining of the uterus inflamed and irritated so that the fertilized egg will not attach.

Possible Complications

• Hemorrhaging
  
• Pelvic infections
  
• Tubal pregnancy
  
• Perforation of the uterus
  
  

Any of these complications can leave you unable to conceive in the future.

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