Withdrawal Method

Description

The withdrawal method has been practiced for centuries and is always convenient and available. All it involves is the man attempting to withdraw his penis before he ejaculates.
Effectiveness

Control over ejaculation is not very easy and the withdrawal method is known to be the least effective form of birth control. For the average couple, the withdrawal method is at best only 82% effective. This is due to the fact that some men find it difficult to control the point of ejaculation and accidentally release sperm into the vagina. Accidents like these are particularly pervasive in younger men with little sexual experience. Failures can also occur because the clear liquid discharged from the Cowper’s gland before ejaculation is rich with sperm cells. Since it is difficult to tell if this pre-ejaculate is leaking out of the penis, the withdrawal method is deceptively unsafe.
Directions

Before ejaculating, remove the penis from the vagina.
Drawbacks

The withdrawal method depends on one thing ... removal of the penis from the vagina before ejaculation. If a man neglects to do this then this method will undoubtedly fail. Secondly, there is no way for a man to restrict the flow of Cowper’s fluid from his penis, and thus no assurance the method will work. Furthermore, if a woman doubts the man's ability to withdraw his penis in time, she will not be relaxed and able to enjoy the sexual experience. This is not a highly recommended form of birth control and should not be practiced unless it is absolutely the only method available and the risk of pregnancy would not be considered a disaster.

It offers no protection from STDs.

Vasectomy

Description

A vasectomy is the surgery for male sterilization. This surgery stops the sperm from being able to move from the testes to the penis and thus there is no possibility of pregnancy. Normally, neither a hospital stay is required nor any complications encountered after the operation. A vasectomy does not affect sexual performance or libido.
Effectiveness

A vasectomy is virtually 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, in the first few weeks following the treatment another form of birth control should be used until the doctor can test and confirm that the ejaculate does not contain sperm.
Directions

Small incisions are made in either side of the scrotum and sections of the vas deferens (the tubes that carry a man’s sperm) are removed. The sperm can no longer move from the testes to the penis and therefore there is no possibility of pregnancy. For more information please talk your doctor and ask for a referral to a specialist.
Drawbacks

Vasectomies do not protect against STDs. This procedure is very difficult to reverse and should be considered permanent.

Sympto-Thermal

Description

The Sympto-Thermal method involves combining several of the natural family planning methods — including, at least, the Basal Body Temperature and (Billings) Ovulation / Mucus methods. These techniques attempt to prevent pregnancy by teaching you to observe your body's fertility signs. Outside this fertile time you can engage in sexual intercourse with complete spontaneity and lower probability of pregnancy. You can also use these methods to increase your chances to achieve pregnancy.

These methods are appropriate for those concerned about side effects or the abortion aspect of contraceptives. Couples also report improved relationships, and increased bodily awareness. After learning, recurring costs are minimal.
Effectiveness

The effectiveness of the Sympto-Thermal method (if done perfectly correctly) has been shown to be up to 98%. Since the fertile time can change every cycle, this method is effective even when you are irregular or nursing because you observe your fertility as it happens, and the symptom cross-checks reduce errors as each individual method can be tricky to get accurate.

The Body Temperature method alone is typically 80% effective.

The Ovulation / Mucus method alone is typically 78% effective.
Directions

Using the Sympto-Thermal method, you observe the cervical mucus that is produced when you are fertile, near ovulation. Charting your daily temperature once a day will show when you ovulate, confirming that the fertile time is over.

Using the Body Temperature method alone, you attempt to pin-point the time of the month when ovulation occurs. This can be calculated because the body temperature rises after ovulation and stays higher until menstruation. The fertile period can therefore be calculated and you can figure out the days when you can engage in sexual intercourse with a lower risk of pregnancy (as compared to with no birth control).

Using the Ovulation / Mucus method alone, you observe the mucus patterns during the course of your menstrual cycle. By recognizing the changing characteristics of your cervical mucus, you can determine when you're least and most likely to conceive.
Drawbacks

Each method should be learned from a physician, family planning center, home study course, book, or certified teachers such as the Couple to Couple League (www.ccli.org). Finding appropriate teachers can be difficult in some areas.

Each technique requires a few minutes a day to observe fertility signs and/or charting; their effectiveness relies heavily on the dedication/ accuracy of the individual. They also require periods of abstinence, or other methods of birth control (e.g condoms), during the fertile periods.

Significant drawback of these methods is lack of protection against STDs.

Sponges

Description

The sponge is a soft, round piece of foam, impregnated with spermicide, which creates a barrier in front of the cervix. To facilitate easy removal the sponge has foam handles around it. The contraceptive sponge works by absorbing and trapping sperm (like a sponge), killing the sperm with spermicide, and creating a barrier in front of the cervix so sperm cannot get to the uterus.
Effectiveness

When used alone its effectiveness is, on average, 82.5%.
Directions

Read and follow the instructions that come with the sponge if you are unsure. Also, you can consult a physician or nurse about any form of contraceptive device and how to properly use it. Here is a general description of use: Put the sponge in up to 6 hours before you have sex. You can have sex as many times as you want within 12 hours of the first time without requiring to change the sponge. Leave the sponge in for 6-8 hours after you last had sex, to properly kill all of the sperm.

Do not use the sponge when you have your period.
Drawbacks

The sponge can increase your risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome if you use it during your period or have an irregular PAP test. If you are having sex a lot the sponge can be a very expensive form of birth control. Some women find it hard to put it in or take it out. You cannot use it if you or your partner(s) are allergic to spermicides or the actual sponge material itself.

It provides no protection against STDs.

Spermicide

Description

Vaginal spermicides come in three basic forms: creams, foams, and jellies. A spermicide is a chemical that kills sperm.
Effectiveness

Spermicides do not protect against STD's. Cream and jelly spermicides should never be used by themselves and are really only effective when combined with a conventional barrier method (i.e., condom, diaphragm, etc.). Foam spermicide can be used on its own, and if always used properly is around 95% effective. However, many people have difficulties using foam spermicide correctly every time they have sex. Some users do not completely fill the applicator ... others forget to shake the can. So, for a typical user, the effectiveness of foam spermicide is around 80% or less.
Directions

Spermicidal creams and jellies should be applied to the inside of a woman's cervical cap or diaphragm. The normal method for insertion of the barrier method is then followed. Normally, all spermicidal creams, foams, and jellies come with the applicator included.

For applying spermicidal creams or jellies without a barrier method, screw the applicator onto the tube and fill it. Filling a foam applicator is a similar process. Insert the applicator into the vagina and push the plunger down. Remember, you are attempting to cover the cervix, so sperm have to travel through the spermicide to get to the uterus. Also, always consult a physician before choosing any birth control method.
Drawbacks

Vaginal spermicides tend to be very inconvenient. They must be applied no more than 20 minutes prior to intercourse. This requires a woman to always have to carry the spermicide and applicator with her whenever there is a possibility of vaginal intercourse.

Another limitation of spermicides is that they have a chemical taste and can be a nuisance during oral sex. Some couples have found that spermicides provide too much lubrication, making intercourse less pleasurable. If an allergic reaction is experienced (a rash or itchiness is a sign of this), then the use of that spermicide should be discontinued.

Pickup on the Dance Floor

So, starting up conversation with women is easy in the coffee shop, a quiet bar, or even the local supermarket. But how can you approach a girl in a noisy nightclub whilst she’s dancing with a group of friends?

You need to be able to set yourself apart from all of the other guys on the dance floor. Other guys will be making some of the following crucial mistakes on the dance floor, and to differentiate yourself from them you need to avoid making these errors. They are likely to be:

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Standing motionless around the girls checking them out.
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Making poor attempts to dance whilst not being into the music, just trying to get close to the girls.
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Grinding on a girls ass.

A problem with this style of approach is that it's a total numbers game. Normally you'll only attract a certain type of girl responding to those approaches.

So, that's what not to do, but how can you actually make a more successful attempt to pick up girls who are dancing?

Here's a few tips you can use to pick-up on the dance-floor:

Firstly, just have fun dancing around, enjoy yourself and the music. Don’t try to jump straight into the woman’s space. If you are a man having a fun time on the dance-floor, you will instantly stand out from all the other men. The women will move away from the other weird, intrusive guys and instead begin to gather around you.

Then try to:

Begin to mirror the girl’s dance moves in a fun, exaggerated way allowing her to see what a fun guy you are. Make and hold eye contact with her which should get you a positive reaction and then you will be able to move in and dance with her.

Start a kind of "dance-off" with the woman gesturing to her to watch and mimic your moves. Try out a silly little move and then point at her expectantly. If you receive a positive reaction, move in and dance with her.

Look for the girls standing on the side of the dance floor, who are not quite dancing, ask them "do you like dancing?" If the answer is yes, say "do you salsa?" and as you say it take them and start salsaing with them. It only takes about 4 salsa lessons to be able to do basic steps, which are all you need.

The aim on when on the dance floor is to dance with the woman, begin to get physical, and then lead them to a quieted place where you are alone and are able to talk to each other.

Once you have perfected the dance-floor game, you'll be able to attract women non-verbally in a highly sexual atmosphere. It is a rare talent and you'll quickly benefit from the results, and the confidence will spread...

This editorial was written for sexinfo101.com by Pick-Up Artist Training (www.puatraining.com ). For more information on becoming a master seducer, make sure to check them out!

Progestin Implants

Description

The implant system consists of small capsules made of plastic tubing, which are filled with a synthetic Progestin. It works just like the pill and the shot by thickening cervical mucus and changing the endometrium. They can provide contraception for up to five years. However, they offer no protection against STD's.
Effectiveness

The Progestin implant is highly effective, coming in at a solid 99.96% effectiveness; this is the most effective birth control method available.
Directions

The capsules are inserted just under the skin on the inner side of a woman's upper arm. This involves a minor surgical procedure which is obviously only to be done by a qualified medical practitioner.
Drawbacks

Any time that hormones are introduced into the body there is the potential for adverse effects. Heavier flow, increased cramping and spotting between periods are all possible side effects whenever hormone levels are changed. These will usually abate after a few months of use.

The implant has the same drawbacks as the pill since it uses the same method of contraception. Please see The Pill page for information on drawbacks.

It offers no protection against STDs.