There are over a dozen contraceptive methods out there, so how the hell are you supposed to choose one among them?
Birth control is the first thing you need to think about if you:
– are going to have sex
– don’t plan on getting pregnant
Because there are so many methods, you’ll need to find the best one for you based on your individual preferences.
First, you need to know about the 2 main groups: hormonal and non-hormonal methods. Any method you choose belongs to one of these 2 categories.
Hormonal vs. non-hormonal
Getting pregnant requires several hormones in your body. That’s why one way to prevent pregnancy is by changing the hormonal balance in your body. We call these methods “hormonal”.
On the other side, there are “non-hormonal” methods. These act as a barrier, preventing sperm from fertilizing your eggs. They don’t mess with your hormones.
A good thing about hormonal methods is that they usually improve period pain. So, if you are a woman with very painful periods, hormonal methods could be a good option for you.
Your 7 different options:
· IUD (IntraUterine Device):
An IUD is a tiny T-shaped device that your doctor inserts into your uterus.
There are 2 different types: hormonal and non-hormonal.
The hormonal IUD contains a hormone called progesterone, which it releases progressively. It’s effective for 3-5 years.
Non-hormonal IUD is made of copper, and it lasts for up to 12 years.
IUDs are one of the most effective birth control methods, with >99 % effectiveness. Once you get it in, you forget about it.
If you ever decide to get pregnant, no problem; your doctor can remove it at any moment.
Another important feature is hormonal IUDs can decrease period-associated pain. Some women won’t even have their period anymore. Others will keep having it, but it will be shorter and less painful.
· Implant:
The implant is a small rod your doctor places in the subcutaneous tissue in your arm.
It’s as effective as the IUD (99%), and it lasts up to 5 years.
The implant works by releasing a hormone (progestin) that thickens the cervical mucus.
What if you change your mind and want to get pregnant? They will take it out. Once you have the implant removed, you can get pregnant right away.
The implant can also reduce pain associated with the period. 1 out of 3 women will stop having their period after using it.
· The Shot (Depo Shot):
The Depo shot is somehow similar to the implant but with a shorter duration (same effectiveness as well, 99%).
You’ll get a single progestin shot in your arm or hip. The effect lasts 3 months, and then you need another dose, and so on.
The shot can also reduce period-associated pain, like all hormonal methods.
· The Pill:
The pill is made of hormones, either progestin alone or a combination of progestin and estrogen.
Its theoretical effectiveness is 99%, but because some women forget to take it at some point, the actual effectiveness is around 92%.
There are some drugs that will reduce the pill’s effectiveness, so if you are currently on some other prescriptions, let your doctor know.
Also, it takes some time to make an effect; it doesn’t protect you from minute 0. That’s why you should also use a condom the first week of using the pill.
· Condoms:
When you use them perfectly, their effectiveness is 98%. However, sometimes stuff happens (they are punctured, they slip off…), so their actual effectiveness is 85%.
Their most important advantage is that they protect you against STDs. All of the above methods we’ve seen won’t avoid STDs.
· Other methods:
There are other methods, but they are not so commonly used.
They are barrier methods, including:
- female condom – 79% effectiveness
- spermicide – 82%
- the ring – 91%
- diaphragm – 91%
· Surgical birth control:
Finally, we can talk about tubal ligation (women) and vasectomy (men).
These are irreversible, so you need to be sure you’ll never want kids. In fact, most people choose them after they’ve already had all the children they wanted.
Their effectiveness is 99%.
Side Effects of Birth Control
There may be some mild side effects if you choose hormonal methods, especially pills.
Pills occasionally cause headaches, nausea, small bleedings, and breast sensitivity.
Even less often, you can get some acne and blood clots in your legs.
On the positive side, they’ll improve your period pain.
About Switching Birth Control Methods
If you chose one method and it’s not working for you because of side effects, inconvenience… you can change it for another.
However, you have to be careful during the transition, because there might be a lapse in which you are not protected. For example, imagine you are using the diaphragm and decide to use pills instead. For the first week, the pill won’t be effective, so during that week, you should also use a condom.
In conclusion
There are several factors you need to keep in mind when choosing some birth control method.
First, will you choose a hormonal method or barrier? Hormonal methods improve painful periods, although in some cases can cause mild side effects.
Do you have a partner? Or will you have sporadic sex? Remember you need condoms to protect against STDs.
If you choose a hormonal method, will you remember to take a pill every day? Or would an IUD or implant be better, as you won’t need to think about them for years?
I hope this helped, and if you have some questions, please share them in the comments.
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