She Strengthens

Taking Control of Your Sexual Health: A Guide to Birth Control Options

The Importance of Birth Control

When it comes to sexual health, unplanned pregnancy is probably the last thing on your mind. With so many birth control options available, navigating the choices can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand each option so you can find the best protection for your stress-free sex life.

Barrier Methods: A Century-Old Concept

Barrier methods, like condoms and diaphragms, work by creating a physical barrier between sperm and egg. This concept dates back to ancient Rome, where people used animal bladders to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Today’s barrier methods are made of latex or rubber.

Male Condom

Male condoms are one of the most accessible birth control methods. They’re available at your local drugstore without a prescription and cost as little as $0.50 each. With perfect use, condoms are 98% effective, but their effectiveness drops to 87% with typical use. They can also irritate sensitive skin.

Female Condom

The female condom goes inside your vagina to prevent sperm from getting in. It’s 95% effective with perfect use and provides good protection against STIs.

Diaphragm or Cervical Cap

Diaphragms and cervical caps are little latex or silicone cups that you place inside your vagina and over your cervix before sex. They block sperm from getting into your uterus. While they’re not one-size-fits-all, they can be used for up to 2 years. A diaphragm is about 88% effective for preventing pregnancy, while a cervical cap is about 77% effective.

Sponge

The sponge fits over your cervix and blocks sperm from getting in. It needs to be used with spermicide for maximum effectiveness and its effectiveness depends on whether you’ve given birth before. While it prevents pregnancy about 88% of the time if you’ve never had a baby, its effectiveness drops to 76% once you’ve given birth.

Hormonal Methods: Revolutionizing Birth Control

Hormonal birth control methods prevent pregnancy by stopping your ovary from releasing an egg and making your cervix an unfriendly place for sperm to swim through. Today, there are many methods for delivering these hormones, including pills, patches, shots, and implants.

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills deliver a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones. For folks who can’t take estrogen, a progestin-only pill is available. They’re 93% effective with typical use, but it’s essential to remember to take them every day. Side effects can include headaches, mood changes, period changes, breast soreness, and weight gain.

Patch

The patch releases estrogen and progestin into your system for a week, after which you replace it. It’s about as effective as the pill, but it can cost up to $150 per month, depending on your insurance coverage.

Vaginal Ring

The vaginal ring releases hormones into your system for 3 weeks, after which you take it out and wait a week before putting in a new one. It prevents pregnancy about 91% of the time and can cost up to $200 per ring if you don’t have insurance.

Implant

The implant is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) that releases the hormone progestin continuously for up to 3 years. It’s more than 99% effective, but it can cost up to $800, depending on your insurance coverage.

Shot

The birth control shot is a progestin-only shot that’s around 94% effective. You get it once every 3 months from your doctor at a cost of about $240 per year. It comes with a slight risk of bone density loss.

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

IUDs are another type of LARC. Once your doctor places one of these T-shaped devices in your uterus, it can stay there for up to 10 years, depending on which type and brand you choose. There are two types of IUDs: hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs. Both are more than 99% effective, but they can cause side effects like spotting between periods and irregular periods.

Fertility Awareness Methods

Fertility awareness methods involve tracking your periods, taking your temperature, and getting to know your cervical mucus. While it’s free, you need a super regular cycle for it to work, and it requires self-control to abstain on your fertile days. Nearly 1 in 4 people who can get pregnant will get pregnant each year when using this method.

Emergency Contraception

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. If you forget to take your pill or a condom breaks, emergency contraception could save the day. You can buy emergency contraceptive pills without a prescription, and they work like birth control pills to stop you from ovulating. Having your doctor implant a copper IUD within 5 days after you’ve had sex will do the same thing.

Permanent Methods

If you’re 100% sure that parenting isn’t your vibe, a permanent solution to pregnancy prevention might be in order. We’re talking sterilization. Which procedure you’ll undergo depends on the reproductive organs you have. Sterilization is more than 99% effective, but it’s a big decision.

Having the Talk with Your Doc

Every kind of birth control has its pros and cons. Think about what you want from a birth control method. Something that’s cheap? Easy to use? Has few side effects? Have an open and honest conversation about birth control with your doctor. They can help you figure out which method is right for you.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to birth control, you have a lot of options. Whether you want something you can put in and forget about for a few months or years or something to use only when you need it, there’s a method out there for you. Ask your doctor for more info to help you figure out your birth control plan.