Birth Control Options

There are various birth control options available for women. These options depend on the methods to administer the birth control or contraceptive, and each has its pros and cons.

The most common and widely-used birth control options are:

• Condom – latex rubber that is placed on an erect penis to prevent/block the sperm from entering the woman’s vagina/uterus.
• Spermicides – are in the form of jellies, foaming tablets, vaginal suppositories and foams that can be placed in the vagina to prevent the male sperm from penetrating the female egg. Spermicides have active ingredients that kill the sperm but do no harm to the woman’s reproductive system.
• Birth control pills – are hormone-based pills that are taken daily by women to prevent pregnancy.
• Sterilization or permanent birth control – is applicable to both male and female. Male sterilization is referred to as vasectomy, where the vas deference [tube or vessel where sperm passes] is tied or blocked to prevent the sperm from entering the female’s uterus. Female sterilization is called tubal ligation, where the fallopian tubes are closed, blocked or tied to prevent the egg from entering the uterus.
• Injectables – are hormone-based birth control options that should only be administered by a medical professional. Depo-povera is a common injectable that is administered every three months.
• Natural birth control – does not employ any artificial methods to prevent pregnancy; however, this option is not 100% effective. Calendar or rhythm method, abstinence and natural family planning are the common natural birth control methods that some couples or women are using.

Other birth control options of today:

• NuvaRing – is a recently developed birth control option for women. It slowly releases female hormones to help prevent pregnancy. NuvaRing is made of flexible material and it is a small ring that is inserted in the vagina, and into the uterus.

It important to understand that NuvaRing does not protect a woman or a man from STDs. Using a condom [for the male] is still the best protection against STDs.

* NuvaRing offers 98% to 99% effectiveness when used properly.

* Most common side-effects are:

1. headache
2. nausea or vomiting
3. weight gain
4. breast tenderness

* NuvaRing is not advisable for women who:

1. have a history of heart attacks, blood clots or stroke
2. have breast cancer
3. are pregnant or might be pregnant
4. are above 35 years old and smoking cigarettes

• Ortho Evra – is the brand name for birth control patch. The patch is a small square with hormones ready to be absorbed by the skin and the bloodstream once applied on the skin. It contains two female hormones- estrogen and progestin.

Women can wear Ortho Evra patch on their buttocks, upper torso [but not the breasts], abdomen or upper arm. Only one patch should be worn at any one time.

The patch should not be applied on broken/cut, red, swelling or irritated part of the skin. It is worn for a week and replaced on the same day of the following week. You must wear the patch for three consecutive weeks and on the fourth week of the month, you should not wear any patch to give way to your monthly period.

It important to understand that Ortho Evra does not protect a woman or a man from STDs. Using a condom [for the male] is still the best protection against STDs.

* Ortho Evra offers 99% effectiveness when used properly.

* Most common side-effects are:

1. headache
2. nausea orvomiting
3. redness or rash on the patched area of the skin
4. menstrual cramps
5. breast tenderness

* Ortho Evra is not advisable for women who:

1. have a history of heart attacks, blood clots or stroke
2. with certain cancers [i.e. breast cancer]
3. are pregnant or might be pregnant
4. are above 35 years old and smoking cigarettes

• IUD – or intrauterine device is a small flexible T-shaped plastic device that is inserted into the woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. A medical practitioner is the best person to administer or insert the IUD in place. After that, you don’t need to do anything except to have it replaced. Replacement is dependent on the type of IUD you are using.

It important to understand that IUD does not protect a woman or a man from STDs. Using a condom [for the male] is still the best protection against STDs.

* Some IUDs contain copper and it is slowly released inside the uterus once in place. The copper content of IUD stops the male’s sperm from reaching the egg.

* Other IUDs do not have copper but have progestin - a hormone that causes the cervical mucus to thicken; thus, preventing the male’s sperm from penetrating the egg. This hormone also changes the uterine lining to prevent implantation of the fertilized egg.

* IUD offers 98% to 99% effectiveness.

* In the US, there are two types of IUD:

1. ParaGard T380A – can last for up to 10 years inside the woman's uterus
2. Mirena – can last for up to 5 years inside the woman's uterus

* Possible side-effects [although rare] are:

1. pelvic inflammatory disease
2. painful and heavy menstrual periods
3. headaches
4. backaches

Talk to your doctor regarding the birth control option that suits you best. Remember not to try anything unless it is recommended by your doctor.

Click here to read more on Birth Control Options

Understanding Birth Control Options Recommended Resources:

University of Maryland

The University of Iowa