So, what are the best options? To a large extent, that depends on  personal preference. Here are some birth control methods you might want to consider.

1) Exclusively breastfeeding on demand has been shown to be a very reliable birth control method. As long as you are not supplementing with formula, or giving your baby solids, and nurse your baby whenever he or she wants, breastfeeding as a birth control method is just as effective as the contraceptive pill.

2) Charting to avoid gives you insights into your fertility, and can help you avoid getting pregnant.

3) Using condoms is a very popular choice after having a baby. This is a very effective method that does not involve hormones, and therefore allows your body to recover from pregnancy and birth more easily.

4) The contraceptive pill is another common choice. Please be aware that you are only able to use certain birth control pills if you are breastfeeding.

5) A coil. They are available both in hormone-free and hormone-added varieties.

Of course, no method is absolutely fail-safe, except for total abstention. But the above contraceptive methods, if used properly, tend to be very reliable in avoiding pregnancy.

Few women who have just given birth feel like doing the deed within the first few weeks, so even if you have already had your baby, you probably have some time to decide what contraceptive method you are going to use. If your libido has returned, however, and you feel physically healthy, making sure you have condoms around the house will prevent you from getting pregnant again while you think about other options.

The contraceptive pill is still the most commonly used form of contraception, and the question of “how it will take for birth control to become effective” applies to the pill. If you have opted to take the pill, and are wondering when you can start having intercourse without worrying about pregnancy, your pill’s package insert is the best place to consult. Most pills are effective immediately, providing you start taking them at the right time during your cycle, but most doctors advise you to use additional contraceptive methods such as condoms or abstain from sex for a month.

Another thing to consider is that only very few types of contraceptive pills are compatible with breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding and want to use the pill, make sure to discuss this with your doctor. You may reach the conclusion that you do not want to rely on the pill at all while you are nursing your baby. On a more positive note, nursing on demand is an effective contraceptive method all in itself, and one that is reliable especially during the first six months of your baby’s life.

On the other hand progesterone-based contraceptives and contraceptives, like condoms, are fine to use. Additionally, often breast-feeding suppresses ovulation, which is probably a good reason why birth control pills are not recommendable during first 6 months while breastfeeding.  However, best option would be to check with your doctor to be sure.

Women who have problems with blood cloths  or a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis should abstain from any hormonal products with estrogen, since this hormone can increase the risk of clots. Again, progesterone-only contraceptives, such as Depo-Provera shot or the progesterone-releasing Mirena IUD, are safe to use.

Breast cancer survivors should use any hormonal methods of contraception. Condoms or a diaphragm are bets options available, while suffers of ovarian are safe to use all methods and those with cervical cancer should avoid using IUDs, since insertion can irritate the cervical lining.

If you are suffering from uterine fibroids, all methods of contraception are safe to use.

Women with heart problems or high blood pressure should on the other hand avoid estrogen-containing contraceptives because they could increase heart problems in the future.

If a woman has diabetes it is usually safe to use any contraceptive method. However, if there are kidney problems, vascular disease, vision decline, or nerve disorders involved estrogen contraceptives should be avoided.

Women who underwent radical procedure that had shortened the length of the small intestine should avoid oral contraceptives. Women who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis should avoid using Depo-Provera, since the drugs decreases bone density. On the other hand women who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease should avoid using estrogen-containing contraceptives, while women who have undergone successful transplants can generally use any method safely. Only those with complications should avoid using estrogen-containing contraceptives and should also avoid using an IUD.

Women who have menstrual irregularity are most often diagnosed with PCOS because there is a link, but as already said the link is not absolute: you might have PCOS and still have regular periods, and you might have irregular periods and are not a PCOS sufferer… complicated as that …

Statistics says approximately 5% of women in reproductive age are diagnosed with PCOS and approximately 70% have irregular periods as a symptoms of PCOS.

It is very interesting to know that there is no common definition of PCOS:

The Rotterdam Consensus Criteria (2006) requires two of the three signs/symptoms of PCOS, and the  signs include: hyperandrogenism, irregular menstrual periods, polycystic-appearing ovaries on pelvic ultrasound to be present for the diagnosis to be made. The Androgen Excess Society (2006) on the other hand requires hyperandrogenism plus one of the other two signs/symptoms (irregular menstrual periods, polycystic-appearing ovaries on pelvic ultrasound).

There is differential diagnosis of someone with irregular menstrual periods available, and these include both hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Prolactin/Pituitary disorders, Nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (Nonclassical CAH), Androgen-secreting tumor (ovary, adrenal gland), Exogenous androgens, Primary hypothalamic amenorrhea (stress-related, exercise-related, eating disorders, low body weight), Central nervous system tumors/disorders, Primary ovarian failure, Cushing syndrome, Insulin-receptor defects

Women are often placed on birth control pills that regulate menstrual cycles. I believe this is not the best option – not because contraceptives themselves but because the result is ‘cured’ but the cause of the irregular bleeding might still be there although the bleeding is ‘regulated’.

Therefore it is essential that the health condition of a woman with irregular periods is evaluated before diagnosis is made although the diagnosis such as PCOS might seem obvious. This is essential because proper evaluation and diagnosis as said above also affects proper treatment.

Perhaps a woman has put off getting pregnant because of wanting to further her education or career.  Maybe a couple gets married later in life and wants to welcome a baby into their late 30’s or early 40’s, and is ready to try to conceive.  For various different reasons couples are putting off having children today, sometimes way past the ideal age to conceive, which can result in fertility issues.

For a woman that has regularly used contraceptives, she may wonder what her chances of getting pregnant on birth control would be.  The answers are never clear and precise, because some will get pregnant with no problems and for others depending on the type of birth control used, it could take a little longer.  Generally it is advised to wait for 3-6 months after discontinuing birth control before trying to become pregnant, but for some couples it happens completely by surprise.

The actual chances of getting pregnant on birth control are relatively low if the contraceptive is being used correctly.  Different birth control methods have different success and failure rates and the statistics will vary according to several factors.  When taking everything into consideration and even allowing a certain margin for human error and device failure, the chances are still unlikely that a woman will conceive and become pregnant while using birth control.

If you are currently thinking about trying to conceive, it might be a good time to get a complete physical examination by a medical professional and follow any advice provided.  While it is generally not difficult to conceive while on birth control, if a woman has an implanted device like Mirena, she should have it removed before attempting to become pregnant.  Soon after discontinuing birth control, a woman’s monthly cycles and ovulatory patterns should stabilize and become normal, allowing her to easily get pregnant.

First of all, most women with PCOS will want to avoid a brand of the Pill that will not do anything to stop acne and excessive hair growth. Oral contraceptives that contain a very small amount of estrogen may not be the best choice when these are symptoms of concern. Low-estrogen contraceptives include Alesse, Estrostep, Levlen, Loestrin, Norlestin, and Ovral. It’s important to know that these brands are not the cause of acne or hirsutism (excessive hair growth) in women who have PCOS, they just will not help acne or excessive hair growth.

Then it is possible to choose among the best oral contraceptives for particular symptoms of concern.

Acne is relieved when the oral contraceptive contains more estrogen with a lower potential for creating androgens masculinizing sex hormones such as androstenedione and testosterone. (Even women who have PCOS need tiny amounts of these hormones for normal sexual health.)

Break-through bleeding is treated with brands of the Pill that contain more estrogen and more progestin but don’t stimulate masculine sex hormones. These brands include Desogen, Estrostep Fe, Ovcon, Yasmin, and Zovia.

Breast soreness is minimized by formulations of the Pill that offer more estrogen and less progestin, such as Alesse, Levlite, Loestrin, Ortho Evra, or Yasmin. If you have other symptoms in addition to breast soreness, your doctor may just prescribe a Pill with less estrogen than the brand you are now taking.

When depression or mood swings is an issue, lower progestin is preferred. Brands of the Pill with lower amounts of progestin include Alesse, Brevicon, Modicon, Necon, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-TriCyclen, Ortho Evra, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, and Trivora.

Headaches may be less frequent when the Pill contains both lower estrogen and lower progestin. Appropriate brands of the Pill include Alesse, Levite, and Ortho Evra. The Pill will not stop premenstrual migraines.

Light menstrual flow or no menstruation at all is treated with brands of the Pill that have more estrogen and a longer-acting form of progestin. These brands include Brevicon, Modicon, Necon, Norinyl, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum, and Ovcon.

Severe menstrual cramping is treated with pills of higher progestin potency, such as Demulen, Desogen, Loestrin, Mircette, Yasmin, and Zovia.

Weight gain is addressed with less estrogen and a more potent form of progestin, offered by Alesse, Levlite, Loestrin, Ortho Evra, and Yasmin. If you have other symptoms, your doctor may just put you on a different brand of the Pill with less estrogen than you are taking now.

There are many, many choices among oral contraceptives. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor why the brand prescribed is the best for managing your PCOS.

• pelvic pain,
• pain before and/or after menstruation
• painful intercourse
• painful orgasms
• painful bowel movements
• infertility
• lower back pain
• bladder pain
• bloating
• nausea
• vomiting
• fatigue

It is important to know that symptoms disappear during pregnancy and decrease with menopause.

There are several ways to treat endometriosis and usually if condition is mild the doctor will prescribe a medical treatment. The main problem with medical treatment is that once the treatment is stopped there are chances that the condition will return.

The fertility of a woman with endometriosis is only compromised when endometriosis affect the areas of ovaries and fallopian tubes. Going for fertility treatment such as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization should be considered if woman is now able to conceive in period longer then 6 months.

There are some ways that you can reduce your chances of getting endometriosis. Estrogen is responsible for thickening the lining of uterus during menstruation some doctors will suggest that lowering the estrogen levels may help you reduce your chance of getting endometriosis. Few things that you can do to lover your estrogen level is regular exercises, avoiding high amounts of alcohol and caffeine, maintain your body fat level at normal and trying to avoid stress as much possible.

The hormone progestin is known to shrink endometriosis by having affects on estrogen on the tissue. Progestin stops woman’s menstrual periods, but it cause irregular vaginal bleeding. Depo-Provera is a common progestin that is taken as a shot but there are some side effects that can include weight gain and depressed mood.

Birth control pills are also used for endometriosis treatment. They can decrease the menstrual flow and prevent overgrowth of tissue that lines the uterus. But while on the birth control for endometriosis, fertility of a woman is lower almost to the zero. This treatment is only affective for women that do not wish to conceive. Birth control usually contains progestin and estrogen and once a woman stops taking birth control, she can get pregnant again. However, stopping birth control will cause the endometriosis to return.

Tubal ligation is also commonly known as getting tubes tied. This is a sterilization process that is performed on women: the surgeon closes fallopian tubes by cutting them, burning them, or blocking them with rings, bands or clips. This for the process of conceiving a child means the prevention the egg from travelling from ovaries to uterus, and additionally this way also prevents sperm to fertilize eggs by preventing the sperm to reach the fallopian tube.  This method is 99,5% effective as birth control prevention, and there despite the theoretical impossibility to conceive, still a minor chance to conceive a baby.

The process of tubal ligation is relatively simple and can be performed under local anesthesia, although general anesthesia is usually applied. However this does not mean the procedure is naïve. The procedure takes about one hour and a half. Usually it is performed laparoscopic and during the procedure the abdomen is filled with carbon dioxide gas. This enables the abdominal wall balloons to stay away from the uterus and tubes. Then the surgeon makes a small cut just below the navel and a laparoscope which is a small telescope-like instrument, is inserted. Another incision is made in order to cut, sew or burn the tubes.

However, if you are undergoing this procedure just to have sex without having to worry about birth control and having sex without thinking about your protection … pardon my French, but you are stupid. There is a still a chance to become a victim of STD, and I am not talking about HIV only… there is HPV, herpes, Chlamydia and many, many other waiting for you … use your head and use condoms!

When hormones that prevent ovulation are out of a body, woman’s body starts to ‘function’ on its own and this means follicles are produced again which means woman starts ovulating too.

As said… theoretically this means the body should be ready to produce follicles in a matter of few days. However, every woman is different, and the case is that in some women it may takes weeks, if not moths that body stats working properly again.  Generally speaking, in a period of 3 months after getting off the pill, if not before, your body should be in a ‘normal’ mode.

Worries about getting back in a normal rhythm are not in the connection with the length of being on the pill: the process is similar whether you have been on the pill for 1 year or as long as 10 years. Your body should get back on the track in a matter of few months the latest.

If you were experiencing problems with ovulation even before getting on the pill, it is very possible you will have problems with your natural rhythm when you get off the pill again. Birth control pill does not fix ovulation problems by preventing ovulation.

Some women are often wondering whether it is safe to start conceiving after getting of the pill.  Theoretically it is safe to get pregnant the day you get off the pill, so there is no need to refrain from trying to conceive. Probably it will hard to conceive right away because as said before your body and your hormones need a bit of adjustment to a normal functioning without the pill. However, every woman’s body is different and it is possible to conceive on the pill, and definitely pit is possible to conceive the day after the pill, and there are no studies that show that there is an increased risk of fetus being deformed if the conception is started right after getting of the pill.