Navigating the world of birth control could be overwhelming, particularly given the sheer number of choices accessible at present. From hormonal strategies just like the tablet and patch to long-term options like IUDs, in addition to barrier strategies and pure options, the alternatives can really feel limitless. Every choice comes with its personal advantages, potential unwanted side effects, and necessities, making it important to seek out one which aligns along with your health wants, way of life, and reproductive goals. Selecting the best birth control is a highly personal decision and infrequently requires balancing elements corresponding to comfort, effectiveness, and even further well being issues corresponding to heavy menstrual bleeding or pimples. Whereas on-line info can provide a useful place to begin, there’s no substitute for a dialog along with your healthcare supplier, who might help information you based mostly in your medical historical past and particular person circumstances.
To assist information you earlier than your appointment, we break down the most typical varieties of contraception and the questions you must ask your self earlier than making a selection. Whether or not you’re exploring contraception for the primary time or contemplating switching strategies, understanding your choices (and understanding when to hunt skilled recommendation) can empower you to make knowledgeable, assured choices.
Hormonal vs. non-hormonal choices
Contraception choices embrace hormonal strategies like tablets, patches, rings, and injections, in addition to non-hormonal choices like IUDs and condoms. Lengthy-acting reversible contraception (LARC) strategies like IUDs and implants provide long-term safety and is usually a good choice when a affected person has a real contraindication to a hormonal choice, based on Dr. Maria Sophocles, an OB/GYN based mostly in New Jersey. She provides, “Hormonal choices are secure for almost each girl; non-hormonal choices corresponding to a non-hormonal copper IUD usually are not essentially extra ‘pure.’ Some hormonal choices include estrogen and progesterone whereas others include solely progestogens (varieties of progesterone), that are utilized in girls with clot danger or who smoke as they don’t improve danger of clots.”
Widespread contraception strategies
Capsule – based on Deliberate Parenthood, if you happen to use it completely, the tablet is 99% efficient. However individuals aren’t good and it’s straightforward to neglect or miss tablets — so in actuality the tablet is about 93% efficient. Meaning about 7 out of 100 tablet customers get pregnant every year. There are two sorts of contraception tablets— mixture tablets (the most typical sort of contraception tablet) and progestin-only tablets.
Patch – The transdermal contraceptive patch is a secure and handy contraception methodology that works rather well if you happen to all the time use it accurately. You put on the patch (and alter it weekly) on sure elements of your physique, and it releases hormones by way of your pores and skin that forestall being pregnant. If used completely, the patch is 99% efficient, however it’s truly nearer to 93% efficient as it may be straightforward to make a mistake.
Vaginal ring – With the vaginal ring, you put on a small, versatile ring inside your vagina, and it prevents being pregnant 24/7 by releasing hormones into your physique. You set it in and take it out as soon as a month. About 7 out of 100 ring customers get pregnant every year. The contraception ring could trigger damaging unwanted side effects for some individuals, corresponding to nausea, complications, and sore breasts, however they normally go away after a couple of months.
IUD – IUD stands for intrauterine machine (principally, a tool inside your uterus). It’s a small piece of versatile plastic formed like a T. It’s long-term, reversible, and one of the efficient contraception strategies, with it being greater than 99% efficient (fewer than 1 out of 100 individuals who use an IUD will get pregnant every year). IUDs are so efficient as a result of there’s no probability of creating a mistake. You may’t neglect to take it (just like the tablet), or use it incorrectly (like condoms). And also you’re protected against being pregnant 24/7 for 3 to 12 years, relying on which type you get. As soon as your IUD is in place, you possibly can preserve it in till it expires or determine that you simply’re able to try to get pregnant. As soon as it’s eliminated, an IUD doesn’t forestall you from getting pregnant straight away.
Contraception shot – The contraception shot is an injection you get as soon as each three months from a healthcare supplier. It accommodates the hormone progestin, which stops you from getting pregnant by stopping ovulation. When used completely, the contraception shot is greater than 99% efficient, that means lower than 1 out of each 100 individuals who use it should get pregnant every year. Nonetheless, in actual life, the shot is about 96% efficient because of individuals generally forgetting to get their pictures on time. The most typical unwanted side effects are adjustments in your durations, particularly in the course of the first 12 months. These embrace bleeding, recognizing, or not getting your interval.
Contraception implant – The contraception implant is a tiny, skinny rod concerning the measurement of a matchstick. The implant releases hormones into your physique that forestall you from getting pregnant. A nurse or physician inserts the implant into your arm and also you’re protected against being pregnant for as much as 5 years. Much like an IUD, the implant is so efficient (greater than 99%) as a result of it’s in your arm, and due to this fact there’s no probability of utilizing it incorrectly or forgetting to take it altogether. In the event you determine you need to get pregnant, a nurse or physician can take it out and you will get pregnant straight away.
Elements to think about
Dr. Sophocles notes that two of the principle inquiries to ask your self when making an attempt to determine a contraception is what can I persist with? Do I’ve any contraindications? For instance, if you’re a smoker than an estrogen containing tablet shouldn’t be best for you. Equally, in case you have bother remembering to take a each day tablet, then that methodology can be not best for you. In the event you’re in search of a low-maintenance/handy choice then an IUD or implant is perhaps greatest for you. These strategies are additionally extremely efficient (over 99%).
Nonetheless, as talked about above, some individuals use contraception not simply to stop being pregnant, however to additionally deal with further well being issues. Some IUDs can be utilized to assist deal with heavy menstrual bleeding whereas hormonal choices such because the tablet, might help regulate your interval, cut back PMS signs, enhance pores and skin complexion, and assist handle situations corresponding to endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Bear in mind, the best selection shouldn’t be about following tendencies or assembly others’ expectations; it’s about discovering a way that displays your distinctive wants and preferences, whereas guaranteeing your well being and well-being come first. It’s greatest to speak to your healthcare supplier as they’re greatest geared up to assist in case you have questions or issues.
