Birth Control Options

I hope I am posting on the proper forum...  My fiance and I have a responsible and safe sex life.  However, we would like to discontinue condom use and pursue another form of birth control.  (Male condoms are our only current form of BC)  However we both have made a personal moral decison that the only acceptable means of BC for us would be to avoid fertilization of the egg.  The possibility of egg fertilization and then elimination from the uterus we feel is against our personal moral belief.  Though we certainly do not judge others if their veiw differs.  This being said, I understand that oral birth control and the "day after" pill can thin the lining of the uteral wall, causing a possibly fertilized egg to be 'washed out' for lack of a better phrase.  Do we have any other BC options that are highly effective like condom use and is also not permanent?  I appreciate your time Doctors, and truly value your service on this forum.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
All of the barrier methods prevent conception: condoms, diaphragm, female condom, etc.
Oral contraceptives prevent ovulation and therefore prevent conception.
Other hormonal methods such as depo provera and implants also work the same way.
Two methods which PROBABLY DO NOT work by preventing implantation of an embryo, but ARE controversial, and if you were my patient, I would advise you to avoid would be the intrauterine contraception device and the morning after pill.  Both of the methods probably work by a different mechanism in the majority of cases, but theoretically could prevent implantation of an embryo which some consider to be an abortion.
The IRREVERSIBLE methods ( tubal/vasectomy/Essure) work the same way that the barrier methods work, but should not be considered until the family is complete.
I hope this is helpful information!
Dr B