Contraceptive use in Canada

According to the latest research, about 80% of Canadian women use some form of contraception. The most common methods are condoms (used by about 50%), the pill (used by about 15.7% of women), and withdrawal.

Various types of contraception are available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The most important thing is finding a method that works well for you and is comfortable.

Condoms are the most common type of contraception used by Canadian women. They are readily available, relatively inexpensive, and easy to use. Condoms are the only contraception that protects against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The pill is another common type of contraception. It is highly effective at preventing pregnancy but does not protect against STIs. The pill is available by prescription from a doctor or nurse.

Withdrawal, or the “pull-out” method, is when the man withdraws his penis from the woman’s vagina before he ejaculates. This method is not very effective at preventing pregnancy, but it can be used in an emergency if other methods are unavailable.

There are also many other types of contraception available, including the patch, the ring, diaphragms, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implants. These methods are all very effective at preventing pregnancy, but they require a doctor’s prescription.

The cost of contraception can vary depending on the type of method used. Condoms are generally the least expensive option, while IUDs and implants can be more expensive. However, many contraception methods are covered by provincial and territorial health insurance plans.

There are also some risks associated with contraception. For example, the pill can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. IUDs can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease. However, these risks are generally very low, and the benefits of using contraception usually outweigh the risks.

If you are sexually active and want to avoid pregnancy, talk to your doctor or nurse about the best contraception method for you.

Contraceptive use in the United States

In the United States, about 61.7% of women of reproductive age (15-44) are currently using some form of contraception. The most common method is the oral contraceptive pill, used by about 28% of women. Other popular methods include condoms (used by about 15% of women), intrauterine devices (IUDs, used by about 7%), and sterilization (used by about 15%).

Many different types of contraception are available, and the best method for each individual depends on various factors. The most important factors to consider when choosing a contraceptive method are:

• How well each method works.
• The side effects of each method.
• How often do you have sex?
• Whether or not you want to have children in the future.
• How much you are willing to spend on contraception?

Contraceptive effectiveness is measured by the “Pearl Index.”

The Pearl Index is the number of pregnancies per 100 women using a particular method of contraception over one year. The lower the Pearl Index, the more effective the method is.

For example, the Pearl Index for the oral contraceptive pill is 0.3, which means that only 3 out of 1000 women who use the pill will become pregnant in one year. In comparison, the Pearl Index for condoms is 18, which means that 18 out of 1000 women who use condoms will become pregnant in one year.

Side effects vary from person to person and from method to method. The most common side effects of the oral contraceptive pill are nausea, weight gain, and headaches. However, these side effects are usually mild and go away after a few months. More serious side effects, such as blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, are very rare.

The frequency of sex is also important to consider when choosing a contraceptive method. If you have sex frequently, you may want to consider a method that does not need to be taken every time you have sex, such as the IUD or implant. If you have sex infrequently, you may want to consider a method that does not need to be taken at all, such as sterilization.

Whether or not you want to have children in the future is also an important factor to consider when choosing a contraceptive method. If you are sure that you never want to have children, you may want to consider a permanent method such as sterilization. If you are unsure if you want to have children in the future, you may want to consider a temporary method such as the pill or IUD.

The cost of contraception is also an important factor to consider. Some methods, such as the pill and condoms, are available for free or at a low cost from family planning clinics. Other methods, such as IUDs and implants, are more expensive and may require a prescription from a doctor.

In conclusion, many factors to consider when choosing a contraceptive method. The best method for you depends on your circumstances. You should speak to a doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions.

You can also speak with our pharmacists at Ogden Pharmacy in Calgary to give you insights about available contraception methods. You can also drop in whether you live in Ogden or in any nearby community like Riverbend.