The number of birth control methods available to women can be overwhelming. So, which one is the right choice for you?
With most birth control methods, you must realize that they protect against pregnancies, but they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections/diseases. The only way to ensure you are safe from these is to use a condom, or the more obscure female condom. If you know that your partner is disease-free, though, you have a wide variety of birth control to choose from.
Birth Control Pills
"The Pill" is the most common form of birth control. They’ve been around forever, they are easy-ish to use, and they have very few side effects. Some women swear by their pills, but many have found that remembering to take them and dealing with the side effects to be off-putting. Fortunately, there are other methods, but this is the grandmommy of all medical birth control methods.
Birth control pills work by controlling the hormones in your body. For three weeks, you take a small dose of estrogen that prevents the egg from implanting. One week out of four are dummy pills that allow for your period to come. Taking any hormone can lead to a possibility for blood clots, but these are not that common. However, they do happen, most commonly in women who smoke.
Less than one in 100 women will get pregnant when they take the pill correctly. That means taking it every day at the same time and not skipping doses. When the pill isn’t taken correctly, the rate of pregnancy is nine women in 100.
Birth Control Shots
If you don’t want the hassle of taking a pill every day, you could opt for the birth control shot, also known as Depo-Provera shots. Unfortunately, it means you have to take a shot every three months [edited to correct previous statement about once-a-month frequency], but hey, at least you don’t have to remember pills. You can either inject yourself or go to the doctors once a month for the shot. It all depends on your tolerance for shots.
The shots work in a similar way to the pill, except that the hormones are released over a period of three months instead of daily. It has the same side-effect risk profile, since it is still a hormone, and you will have a period once per month, usually lighter than normal.
Like the pill, less than one in 100 women will get pregnant if they take the shot as directed. If they do not, such as missing a shot or taking it late, the rate of pregnancy increases to six out of 100 women.
Birth Control Sponge
The birth control sponge is a bit like spermicide mixed with a cervical cap. It is not a common form of birth control, but it is gaining in popularity. In the US, the only brand of sponge is Today Sponge. They are bought in packages of three and are used every time you have sex, so if you have sex a lot, this could get pricey.
The sponge is a foam circle that is inserted deep into the vagina, almost like a tampon. It has a loop of string to remove it when you are done having sex. The foam is filled with spermicide to kill any sperm that enter the vaginal area. It also blocks off the cervix some to prevent the sperm from making it into the uterus.
The sponge’s effectiveness is not as good as other methods. If used correctly, nine women out of 100 will become pregnant despite usage. If used incorrectly, such as poor insertion, the rate of pregnancy jumps to 12 in 100 cases.
Birth Control Ring
Birth control rings are more like the pill and don’t require weekly or monthly shots. This makes them very attractive to those women who find the other methods troublesome for some reason. However, you do have to remember to insert the ring once per month [edited to correct previous statement about once-a-week frequency], or you will run the risk of an unexpected pregnancy.
The ring has estrogen that releases slowly over a month’s time. It is inserted far back into the vagina and is generally not something you can feel. This method has the same-side effect profile as the pill and many of the same actions.
When used correctly, less than one in 100 women will become pregnant in a year. If the ring is used incorrectly, such as missing a change of appliance, the rate is nine out of 100 unexpected pregnancies.
Condom
Besides the pill, condoms are the most common form of birth control, and they have some serious benefits that should be considered: they are easy to obtain and relatively cheap; you don’t need a prescription; they are easy to use; and they are the only birth control method that protects from STDs, making them a valuable form of birth control if you have sex with a partner you don't know very well.
Just about everyone knows how a condom works: the latex ring is placed over the penis like a sheath, and it catches the ejaculate when the time comes. Yes, condoms break and shift, but when they are used correctly, they are among the most effective, easiest-to-use methods of controlling unexpected pregnancies.
It is estimated that two out of 100 women will become pregnant if their partner uses the condom correctly every time. If it isn’t used correctly, the rate increases to 18 out of 100 women. This actually includes not using a condom at all.
Diaphragm
A diaphragm is a plastic cup that is inserted deep into the vagina to prevent the sperm from entering the uterus. It does not prevent against sexually transmitted diseases, and it may be difficult to place correctly at first. This is a method of birth control that is also relatively easy to get.
They work by blocking the cervix and keeping the sperm in the vaginal canal. Used with a spermicide, a diaphragm can be used effectively as birth control. It is a question of getting the correct placement of the appliance that determines effectiveness.
This method is not as effective as others. When used correctly, the rate of pregnancy is six out of 100 women. If the appliance is used incorrectly, the number jumps to 12 out of 100. Some women feel comfortable with this form of birth control, however, and it may work for them.
IUD
IUD stands for intrauterine device. It is a small, T-shaped piece of plastic that can be inserted into the uterus in a gynecologist’s office. This form of birth control prevents the attachment of an egg to the uterine wall, forcing it to pass out of the uterus without impregnating the user. It does not protect against STDs, but it is very useful in protecting against pregnancies. It does have some side effects, such as migration to other organs of the pelvis, but these are rare.
The IUD works by blocking off the walls of the uterus and preventing egg implantation. There are two types of IUD: copper and hormonal. The copper merely blocks the walls of the uterus, but the hormonal type secretes chemicals that affect the way the ovaries and uterus react during the menstrual cycle and during sex.
IUDs are very effective, and fewer than one woman in 100 will get pregnant when they have an IUD inserted. In addition, they can last up to 12 years depending on which kind you get, although they can be very expensive up front if you do not have insurance that covers them.
This is not an exhaustive list of birth control methods. For instance, it doesn’t cover the rhythm method, withdrawal, or tubal ligation. Instead, these are the most common forms of birth control for women who are looking to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
If you are interested in the many other forms of birth control, Planned Parenthood has more information.
What has your experience with these birth control methods been like?