By Don Ford, M.D.
While there are a lot of different options for birth control, the most widely used is the birth control pill, often just referred to as “the pill” which use synthetic hormones to suppress ovulation to prevent pregnancy. Recently some new forms of hormonal contraceptives have become available such as the NuvaRing, which is a plastic ring that is placed inside the vagina that releases a constant low dose of hormones into your body. Another is the Ortho Evra Patch that works in the similar way by releasing low dose hormones through the skin to prevent pregnancy.

Ilchi Lee writes that while these products are an effective method of birth control, they do have some risks. These risks, such as blood clotting, increase with age, or if a woman uses tobacco products. Another important thing you want to understand is that the estrogen component of these products has been linked to a wide variety of nutritional deficiencies, including Vitamin C, Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), Folic acid, Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin), Magnesium, Zinc and Selenium.

Women may use birth control pills for many years, and don’t discontinue their use until shortly before they want to try and become pregnant. Mr. Ilchi Lee said that this is a crucial time in your life that you would want to be in optimal health and have optimal nutritional status for the health of your baby. Since long term use of these products has been linked to such a wide variety of nutritional deficiencies, it is important to supplement your body’s essential nutrients and lessen worries about being deficient in any essential nutrients during the crucial time you are trying to conceive.

By Dakota Caudilla
Without a doubt, even as we speak, there are many different types of birth control devices and methods being developed today. Birth control is a very important part of family planning and with the rate of unwanted pregnancies and occurrence of teenage sex, the many different types of birth control devices and methods should be introduced as early on to teens as possible.

Mr. Ilchi Lee says for example, there’s the barrier method of birth control which includes devices like diaphragms, cervical caps and shields that ultimately works by covering up the cervix so that sperm cannot enter the uterus during sexual intercourse. When the sperm cannot enter the uterus, the egg cannot be fertilized by the sperm. The barrier method is not 100% foolproof, although none of the birth control methods and devices are ever 100% secure so, in order to achieve its full potential, usage of the barrier type of birth control should be used together with an effective form of spermicidal application which kills off sperm that enters the body. Spermicidal applications are available in varying types, i.e., cream, foam or gel form.

The most common and most effective form of birth control remains to be the hormonal types of birth control which includes the varying types of birth control pills, injections and patches available in the market. Ilchi Lee suggests that they are excellent ways for birth control but some people are not able to use the oral contraceptive type of birth control or prefer not to use them. In that case, they may have to use other forms of birth control in the market.

Talking about spermicides, there is something called the contraceptive sponge that is somewhat like a foam or sponge that one inserts into the body of the female to cover the cervix area. The foam contains sperm-killing chemicals that kill of sperms that enter the body. Not only do contraceptive sponges block the sperm from entering the cervix, it also doubles up as spermicide, working as a 2-in-1 birth control device. Read more information about Ilchi Lee articles for health.