Birth control was always a topic spoken about in hushed tones in adolescence. There was always a knowing glance when people gossiped about who was on the pill. There was always a quick explanation like “It’s to help my acne” as if simply wanting to take control of your body and pregnancy prevention method was not sufficient enough. I was too scared to bring up the subject with my mom, even though she always approached her daughters with a sense of openness. After building up the courage, I told her I wanted to start the pill when I turned 18 and would subsequently enter college. It would be my first time on my own and I wanted to know I was in control.
The trip to the OB/GYN was quick, painless, and maybe a little awkward. They recommended the pill and mentioned the brand shouldn’t have too many side effects. That was the understatement of the century.
Doctors and the internet prepare you for the physical side effects of the pill: weight gain, spotting, acne, etc. No one really prepares you for the emotional and mental side effects. For the first three to six months, I felt like I became a completely different person – and not in a good way. I was moody. I cried at the simplest things and felt the most insecure I ever had. I chalked it up to life changes and the stress of college. It took a toll on my mental health and my relationship. It felt like I was doomed to just live this way from then on.
Then, it all got better. After six months, I felt like me again. I didn’t cry over minor inconveniences. I didn’t have mood swings every hour. For the first time, in what felt like forever, I finally felt more grounded and less volatile. With the relief came the realization that the hormone changes were to blame. I thought about the logistics of the pill and how I took them. The pill creates ebbs and flows in your hormones throughout the day, with a spike when you first take it. I pinpointed that I felt the most normal when I took it exactly the same time every day- not a second sooner or later. Irregular taking of the pill meant irregular hormone distribution. With this in mind, I looked into semi-permanent or permanent birth control options that would produce a more steady flow of hormones. After this search and consultation with my doctor, I landed on the vaginal ring (NuvaRing).
Let’s just say I absolutely love it. Before speaking with my doctor, I had never even heard of the ring. I had friends mention IUDs or the arm implant, but never this option. It seemed daunting at first as I had no references to confirm its effects and intimacy of its application, yet I took the plunge and am grateful I did.
A vaginal ring is a flexible ring that you insert inside your vagina and leave in for three weeks. Over the course of the three weeks, the ring releases estrogen and progestin which is absorbed by the body through the vaginal lining. After the three weeks, the ring is removed and properly discarded for a ring-free week in which many get their periods. Seven days after removal, you insert a new ring and begin the cycle again. Many people also use the ring to skip their periods altogether by simply inserting a new ring after the three weeks or leaving it in for four weeks. Either method yields a 91% pregnancy prevention rate, the same as the pill.
The ring is now my birth control of choice. This is not an endorsement for everyone to start the ring and ditch the pill. Nonetheless, don’t be afraid to explore new birth control options to find the right one for you. I am happier and healthier because I realized the “common” method wasn’t the best for me.
We all deserve accessible and affordable birth control that fits our lifestyle and our needs. For more information on birth control options, click here.