Confused about all of the available birth control methods? If so, you aren’t alone. Many women (and men) admit to being overwhelmed by all of the options when it comes to birth control/ Indidivuals unfamiliar with birth control or new to birth control may not even be aware of all of the available methods or the benefits and/or effects of each. Others may be familiar with the methods but unsure which method is best for them. Here is a quick breakdown on the most popular forms of birth control:
- The Pill: perhaps the most widely known, the birth control pill contains one or more hormones intended to prevent pregnancy from occurring. The most traditional pill is taken orally every day in twenty-eight day cycles. For the first twenty-one days of the cycle, the pill contains the previously mentioned hormone(s). For the last seven days the pill has either a very low dose of hormones or is free of hormones. These pills are known as placebo pills and prompt the body to menstruate. In recent years new pills have become available that allow women to skip menstruation and take the hormone pills continually. Other pills have come forward with a variety of benefits and effects, from pills that promise to calm PMS to pills with lower amounts of hormones. If you opt to choose this method of birth control, you will want to speak to your doctor about what you are looking for in a pill to determine the best one for you.
- The Patch: increasingly popular, the patch contains the same type of hormones as the pill but is applied to the body rather than taken orally. The patch is worn for a week and then replaced by another patch. Patch-wearers wear three patches in a row (for three weeks) and then go patch-less for a week (prompting menstruation). The patch is convenient for those who are not great at remembering to take a pill every day, but some wearers complain of mild irritation at the application site. Other patch wearers do not like the idea that other individuals can see the patch and know their preferred birth control method.
- The Vaginal Ring: new to the market in the last decade of so, the vaginal ring is inserted for a three week period, removed for a week, and then replaced by a new ring. For those who are not bothered by the idea of inserting a pliable ring vaginally, this method can be extremely convenient, as once inserted it is good to go for three weeks. It contains similar hormones to the pill and patch.
- The Implant: more rarely used than the previous methods, the implant is a thin, flexible rod inserted into the upper arm that can prevent pregnancy for up to three years or be removed prior to the three year mark. It contains similar hormones to the other methods of birth control. Since it lasts for three years it is possibly the most convenient birth control method, but some potential users may not be able to handle the idea of a plastic rod hanging out in their arm.
- The IUD: recently approved by the FDA after being taken off the market for a number of years, the iud or interuterine device is inserted by a health care professional into the uterus. IUDs prevent sperm from fertilizing the woman’s egg. Some IUD users prefer not to use hormonal birth control methods, so the IUD is a great option. However, the insertion process may be less convenient than other birth control methods for some.
When starting a birth control method it is important to speak honestly with your doctor about your needs and desires for birth control. You should also always consulting with a doctor when getting off of birth control. Side effects of birth control are rare but can include weight gain, infections, irritation, and/or reactions to the hormones. It is important to know the possible side effects of the method you opt to use before beginning to use birth control.
