Happy Monday, and welcome to Medical Mondays! This week’s topic is on birth control options!
In light of the recent political climate and my complete lack of faith in the continuation of women’s reproductive health rights, I figured I’d discuss the different options available right now.
Birth Control Options
There are a ton of options out there–some protect against pregnancy as well as STIs while others only protect against pregnancy. There are short-term options, long-term options, and all sorts of different methods of application/use, so I figured I’d share a handy little table here!
Image from bedsider.org.
(For the record, the only surefire way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence, but many of the options listed below are extremely effective, especially when used correctly.)
Birth Control Options
|
Method |
Effectiveness |
How To Use |
Pros |
Cons |
|
The Ring |
92-99% |
Insert a small ring into the vagina Change ring each month |
Doesn’t require a “fitting” by a health care provider Private Doesn’t require spermicide Can make periods more regular + less painful No pill to take daily Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the ring |
Can increase vaginal discharge May cause spotting the first 1-2 months Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
Male Condom |
85-98% |
Use a new condom each time you have sex Use a polyurethane condom if allergic to latex |
Can buy at many stores Can put on as part of sex play/foreplay Can help prevent early ejaculation Protects against HIV + many other STIs Can be used while breastfeeding |
Can decrease sensation Can cause loss of erection Can break or slip off |
|
Female Condom |
79-95% |
Use a new condom each time you have sex Use extra lubrication as needed |
Can buy at many stores Can put on as part of sex play/foreplay Can help prevent early ejaculation Protects against HIV + many other STIs Can be used while breastfeeding |
May be noisy May be hard to insert May slip out of place during sex |
|
Spermicide |
71-85% |
Insert more spermicide each time you have sex |
Can buy at many stores Can put on as part of sex play/foreplay Can help prevent early ejaculation Protects against HIV + many other STIs Can be used while breastfeeding |
May raise the risk of getting HIV May irritate vagina, penis Cream, gel, and foam can be messy |
|
Diaphragm |
84-94% |
Must be used each time you have sex Must be used with spermicide A health care provider will fit you + show you how to use it |
Can last several years Costs very little to use May protect against some infections (NOT HIV) Can be used while breastfeeding |
Using spermicide nonoxylnol-9 may raise the risk of getting HIV Shouldn’t be used with vaginal bleeding or infection Raises risk of bladder infection Emergency Contraception |
|
Emergency Contraception |
58-94% |
Works best the sooner you take it after unprotected sex Take pill(s) as soon as you can after unprotected sex Can take EC up to 5 days after unprotected sex If pack contains 2 pills, take both together |
Can be used while breastfeeding Available at pharmacies, health centers or health care providers (call ahead to see if they have it) Women + men of any age can get some brands w/o a prescription |
May cause stomach upset or nausea Next period may come early or late May cause spotting Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STDs Ella is only available w/ a prescription May cost a lot |
|
Copper IUD |
99% |
Must be placed in uterus by health care provider Must be removed by health care provider |
May be left in place for up to 12 years Can be used while breastfeeding Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when IUD removed |
May cause more cramps + heavy periods IUDs can cause spotting between periods Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
Progestin IUD |
99% |
Must be placed in uterus by health care provider Must be removed by health care provider |
Mirena may be left in place up to 7 years Skyla may be left in place up to 3 years May improve period cramps + bleeding Can be used while breastfeeding Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when IUD removed |
May cause lighter periods, spotting, or no period at all Rarely, uterus is injured during placement Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
Implant |
>99% |
Health care provider places it under the skin of the upper arm Must be removed by health care provider |
Long lasting (up to 3 years) No medicine to take daily Can be used while breastfeeding Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after it’s removed |
May cause irregular bleeding (spotting, no periods or heavy periods) After 1 year, many women have no period at all Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
Shot |
97-99% |
Get shot every 3 months |
Each shot works for 12 weeks Private Helps prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus (womb) No pill to take daily Can be used while breastfeeding |
May cause spotting, no period, weight gain, depression, hair or skin changes, change in sex drive May cause delay in getting pregnant after you stop the shots Side effects may last up to 6 months after you stop the shots Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
Pill |
92-99% |
Must take the pill daily |
Can make periods more regular + less painful Can improve PMS symptoms Can improve acne Lowers risk of ovarian cancer Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills |
May cause nausea, weight gain, headaches, changes in sex drive–can be relieved by changing to a new brand May cuase spotting the 1st 1-2 months Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
Progestin-only Pills |
92-99% |
Must take pill at the same time every day |
Can be used while breastfeeding Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills |
Often cause spotting, which may last for many months May cause depression, hair or skin changes, change in sex drive Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
Patch |
92-99% |
Apply a new patch 1x/week for 3 weeks No patch in week 4 |
Can make periods more regular + less painful No pill to take daily Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the patch |
Can irritate skin under the patch May cause spotting the 1st 1-2 months Doesn’t protect against HIV or other STIs |
P.S. I snagged this from the Reproductive Health Access Project! You can get a wealth of other resources from their site!
![I came up with this design ages ago for our class t-shirt contest! :]](https://i0.wp.com/www.fairyburger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/medicalmondays.jpg?resize=453%2C222)
16 comments
Skip to comment form
Great overview. My daughter is suffering from co-pay shock on her BCPs but she needs them for other issues. ~sigh~
Author
I really, really hope that these medications remain affordable! OCPs are used/are useful for so many other conditions than birth control!
This is a great post and VERY timely!
Author
Thank you! I’d been sitting on this post for a bit and figured now would be a good time to post it!
Great info, I wish more girls would take the time to get educated on the different things available to them!
Runaway Bridal Planner recently posted…Day in the life, Selfies, Getting Out of My Comfort Zone and some OMG’s
Author
Agreed! I think a lot of it is also that they don’t know where to look or aren’t comfortable with asking their health care providers. :[ (I also think sex education needs a massive overhaul in this country, but that’s a soapbox for another day…)
WOW! this is actually one of the most thorough bits of info on birth control I have ever seen!
I had no idea Spermicide could actually increase risk of HIV. I feel like that’s a serious gap in my knowledge…
I recently switched to lo-esterin birth control… I don’t love it but the tri-cyclin-lo (sorry about the spelling!) led to my first ever migrane so my doc pulled me off of it and dropped the dosage. It’s a great pill but I DON’T get my period… it’s leading to a lot of expenses on negative pregnancy tests (i’m a worrier)
I’m worried about women south of the border and your contraceptive rights… at least we know they’ll never get rid of male condoms (because you gotta protect those errant willy’s.. sigh)
Great post Farrah
Laura recently posted…Keeping a Happiness Journal
Author
Thanks! I figured if I was going to talk about it, I should probably be thorough (but hopefully simplified enough that it doesn’t get overwhelming?)! :]!
That was a surprise to me when I was learning about em’ too! Spermicides are safe to use as long as they’re used as directed–I believe the research behind it increasing the risk of HIV was mainly because although it’s actually really effective in killing those microorganisms, it can also potentially irritate the cells lining the vagina + the rectum, which can make it more vulnerable to attack (especially when used frequently)!
I feel ya! Much as I hate getting my period, its existence is still a nice sort of reminder, hahaha.
I’m really really worried about that as well. :[ I have a preceptor at my program who flies down for a couple days a month to work at a women’s health clinic–depending on what happens over the next couple years, I may follow suit!
What a great and informative post. In my college days this post would have been so handy – back then it took lots of research on the internet to decide what method was best for me!
Author
Sometimes it’s really hard to find where to look! I definitely remember rooting around the internet for information with my roommate!
This is such a great overview – and so informative!
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…DIY Alphabet Dating Book – A Cheap, Easy and Homemade Gift Idea!
Author
Thanks, Kristy! :] I was hoping to do a brief but informative summary of sorts!
Great post, thanks so much for breaking all of these down. I use the pill, but it’s to help with things OTHER than not getting pregnant. That’s one thing that I hate about the political climate. Yes, these things can be used for preventing pregnancy, but when it comes to something like the pill, it’s used for a lot of other things too and it shouldn’t be an ungodly cost.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Need a Little Research Help?
Author
I’m definitely with you there! The pill is used off-label for so many other conditions–I’m really hoping that prices will remain affordable for everyone!
This isn’t easy to talk about but it’s great info and from a reliable source.
Laura Dembowski recently posted…Grape and Olive Oil Polenta Cake
I feel like it’s a topic people don’t often talk about that there are often lots of questions/misconceptions to, so I’m hoping this will help point people in the right direction if they need it! :]
Farrah recently posted…Camping at BLM Laguna Mountain