If you’re anything like me, you might have grown up with almost no education readily available on the topic of birth control. Growing up in a religious household and a conservative community any discussion about sex, sexual health or the female reproductive system was pretty much avoided.
As a result, I learned to feel somewhat embarrassed asking questions surrounding my body, but now I am a huge advocate for normalizing these conversations. I’ve compiled a list of facts about the various forms of contraception, including their uses and benefits, for all of those who have to do this research on their own!
A few disclaimers: always talk to your doctor before making any final decisions about birth control. Everyone’s body is different, and this is just a general guide. None of these forms of contraception protect against STDs, and prices vary significantly based on your type of birth control, insurance and healthcare provider.
The Pill
The birth control pill is taken by mouth daily and should be administered at the same time every day for its highest effectiveness. It can be up to 91% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken correctly. The pill typically comes in packs of 28, with three weeks worth of hormone pills, and one week of placebo pills. Placebo pills are sugar pills that have no real effect on your hormonal balance but are simply recommended in order to stay in the habit of taking your pill every day. Once your body gets used to this schedule, you should typically expect to get your period during the sugar pill week.
The two hormones are estrogen and progestin — each type of birth control gives off one or both hormones —and pills either contain only estrogen or a varied combination of both. It may take some trial and error to figure out which hormones regulate your body the best, but you’ll typically know pretty quickly whether or not it’s a fit for you!
All birth control carries positive and negative side effects that often have nothing to do with preventing pregnancy, so it’s important to remember that there are multiple considerations regardless of your sexual activity.
Commonly reported benefits of the pill are lessened period cramps, lighter periods, regular periods and acne control. Negative side effects typically come into play if the specific pill you’re taking isn’t right for you. These can include weight gain, worsened period cramps, mood changes or mood swings and depression. Sometimes, the first one you try could be the perfect match; other times, you may have to test multiple before finding the one that’s right for you!
IUD
IUDs are small, T-shaped plastic or copper devices inserted into the uterus by a gynecologist. They typically need to be replaced every three to five years, but some can last up to 10 years depending on the quality and the brand. They give off the hormone progestin and are over 99% effective in protecting against pregnancy.
The largest benefits of an IUD are lessened period cramps, alleviation of pelvic pain, lower risk of endometriosis and sometimes the elimination of menstruation altogether. Most people who chose an IUD report little to no pain during insertion. While it is uncommon, one negative that some people have relayed is an infection in cases when the device is not inserted correctly; however, most doctors say that this is not a large concern.
With all things considered, this could be a great option in terms of pregnancy prevention. Nonetheless, if your main priority for your birth control is not to prevent pregnancy, then maybe try a different form first!
Depro-Provera Shot
Depo-Provera is a shot of progestin that protects against pregnancy for 14 weeks and is 99% effective. However, the shot should be administered every 12 weeks.
Some positives of this contraceptive include a decreased risk of endometrial cancer, diminished period cramps and a lighter menstrual flow. It can cause weight gain and tends to be tedious if frequent trips to the doctor do not easily fit in your schedule.
This could be a great option if you don’t want to worry about birth control during your daily endeavors, and you can easily make several trips to the doctor throughout the year. However, if needles or doctor trips aren’t your thing, there are many other forms available that might work better!
Nexplanon Implant
Nexplanon is a small rod inserted into the upper arm, which is completely invisible after implantation. It contains progestin, is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy and usually lasts about three years.
Similar to an IUD, the implant is a great option because once you get it, you won’t have to worry about it for years. Your arm will be numbed before the procedure, so you shouldn’t experience any pain. Some negatives include increased acne, mood changes, depression or weight gain.
As we know, these side effects are not atypical when pumping hormones into the body, which is why it’s important to report any negative changes or discomfort to your doctor. If you experience ongoing pain for days or weeks after receiving your implant, this could be a sign of infection. However, most people who chose the implant report that after the second day, they forget it’s even there!
Nuvaring
The Nuvaring is a small, flexible plastic ring inserted into the vagina, which must be changed once a month. It contains a combination of estrogen and progestin and is about 91% effective in protecting against pregnancy.
The highest reported positives include lessened period cramps, lighter, more regular periods and reduced acne. Negative side effects include bloating or weight gain due to excess water retention, vaginitis and nausea. Nuvarings are inserted on your own, so this can be a less permanent option that does not require a visit to the doctor!
As long as you are comfortable replacing and taking out this device yourself, this could be a great fit for you. It’s about as easy as putting in a tampon and eliminates the need for daily action, or yearly commitment. While this is the last form of contraception that I have listed, keep in mind that there are many other options if none of these are right for you!
Takeaway:
Birth control has so many beneficial qualities but it is still perceived as too taboo for discussion (for basically no reason!) It’s so important to lessen the stigma surrounding reproductive and menstral health, and have these open conversations. I’ve heard many myths and horror stories that get more attention than the facts, which could be misleading to the young and impressionable people who have not been provided proper education on the subject.
Don’t forget to talk to your doctor about what would work best for your body, and never feel ashamed for simply keeping yourself safe and healthy. Whatever benefit you choose to gain from birth control, remember that it’s your body, your right!