Birth Control Options
New and updated birth control methods seem to be on the rise, so it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the number of choices. When considering your birth control options, it is important to be educated on the numerous options, such as how they fit your lifestyle as well as their benefits and risks.
Birth Control Pill
Hormonal birth control prevents pregnancy with a combination of hormones, progesterone, and estrogen that stop ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus to prevent fertilization. It is only available by prescription and must be taken on a daily basis. With correct use, the pill is 99% effective. With actual usage, the pill’s effectiveness is about 91%. The pill’s effectiveness lowers with improper use (not taken every day), the antibiotic Rifampin, the antifungal Griseofulvin, some anti-seizure medicines, and the herb St. John’s Wort.
One key risk of the birth control pill is that it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, necessitating the use of a condom. Additional potential health risks include blood clots, breast cancer, intermenstrual spotting, nausea, breast tenderness, headaches and migraine, weight gain, mood changes, missed periods, decreased libido, vaginal discharge, and changes to eyesight for contact lens wearers.
Condoms
Condoms are the most commonly used barrier method of contraception in which a physical boundary prevents sperm from entering the uterus and are available over the counter. They contain a reservoir tip to contain ejaculation. Condoms prevent against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis; they are also associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer, which is associated with HPV.
However, condoms are not 100% effective at either pregnancy or disease prevention. The success rate of condoms at pregnancy prevention is 14% to 15%. With typical use, the reduction in the transmission rates of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, and HIV are, respectively, 29%, 50%, 40%, and 85%. Additionally, some users are allergic to latex, the most commonly used condom material.
IUDs
An IUD is an Intrauterine Device; it is a tiny, T-shaped polyethylene device that is inserted into the uterus and prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones (same as the birth control pill), preventing sperm from traveling to the egg, keeps the fertilized egg from traveling to the uterus, and prevents a fertilized egg by implanting into the uterine wall. IUDs are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. IUDs can be used for anywhere from 3 to 10 years, depending on the type.
Additionally, they are mostly hassle-free once inserted; users do not have to take a daily pill or use a condom with each instance of intercourse. Like hormonal birth control pills, IUDs do not prevent sexually transmitted infections. Also, some IUDs may make periods heavier and cramping worse. While pregnancy with an inserted IUD is very unlikely, it raises the risk for miscarriage, infection, ectopic pregnancy, and early labor and delivery. IUDs also can cause ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease.