Birth Control Methods: Everything You Should Know

Birth control methods refer to the use of device and medicine to prevent from unwanted pregnancy. With a range to choose from, women can pick the most suitable one depending on family planning and current health status. Some also protect against STIs and doctors can assist you to select the most ideal for you.

What are the best birth control methods?

There is no perfect birth control method. You need to choose the correct methods and it depends on a number of factors like:

• Your family planning in the near future?
• Understanding of each method
• Potential side effects
• Frequency of having sex
• Number of sex partners
• Overall health condition
• Your comfort to use any of the method

Remember, even the most efficient method can fail but it alleviates the risk of unwanted pregnancy!

Various kinds of birth control methods

Various birth control forms are available. Here we mention them according to their efficacy from high to low to prevent unwanted pregnancy:

• Female and male sterilization (female tubal ligation or occlusion, male vasectomy) - It protects against pregnancy through surgery for the rest of your life.
• Long-acting reversible contraceptives or "LARC" methods (intrauterine devices, hormonal implants) - There is no need to take any birth control pills. It lasts for 3-10 years based on the method opted for!
• Short-acting hormonal methods (pill, mini pills, patch, shot, vaginal ring)- Doctors will prescribe the birth control that you have to take every month or day.
• Barrier methods (condoms, diaphragms, sponge, cervical cap)- You need to use it every time during having sex.
• Natural rhythm methods-It is the natural barrier method to abstain from sexual activity during the most fertile days. You can opt for fertility monitor for best help.

How to compare the birth control methods

Method	Number of pregnancies per 100 women within their first year of typical use1	Side effects and risks* *These are not all of the possible side effects and risks. Talk to your doctor or nurse for more information.	How often you have to take or use
Abstinence	Unknown	No medical side effects	No action needed, except willpower. Always keep back-up birth control method, like condoms.
Permanent sterilization surgery for women	Less than 1	Possible pain during recovery (up to 2 weeks) Bleeding or other complications from surgery Less common risk includes ectopic (tubal) pregnancy	No action required after surgery
Permanent sterilization surgery for men	Less than 1	Pain during recovery Complications from surgery	No action required after surgery
Implantable rod	Less than 1	Headache Irregular periods Weight gain Sore breasts Less common risk includes difficulty in removing the implant	No action required for up to 3 years before removing or replacing
Copper intrauterine device (IUD)	Less than 1	Cramps for a few days after insertion Missed periods, bleeding between periods, heavier periods Less common but serious risks include pelvic inflammatory disease and the IUD being expelled from the uterus or going through the wall of the uterus.	No action required for up to 10 years before removing or replacing
Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs)	Less than 1	Irregular periods, lighter or missed periods Ovarian cysts Less common but serious risks include pelvic inflammatory disease and the IUD being expelled from the uterus or going through the wall of the uterus.	No action required for 3 to 5 years, depending on the brand, before removing or replacing
Shot/injection	6	Bleeding between periods, missed periods Weight gain Changes in mood Sore breasts Headaches Bone loss with long-term use (bone loss may be reversible once you stop using this type of birth control)	Get a new shot every 3 months
Oral contraceptives, combination hormones	9	Headache Upset stomach Sore breasts Changes in your period Changes in mood Weight gain High blood pressure Less common but serious risks include blood clots, stroke and heart attack; the risk is higher in smokers and women older than 35	Take at the same time every day
Oral contraceptives, progestin-only pill	9	Spotting or bleeding between periods Weight gain Sore breasts Headache Nausea	Take at the same time every day
Skin patch	9 May be less effective in women weighing 198 pounds or more	Skin irritation Upset stomach Changes in your period Changes in mood Sore breasts Headache Weight gain High blood pressure Less common but serious risks include blood clots, stroke and heart attack; the risk is higher in smokers and women older than 35	Wear for 21 days, remove for 7 days, replace with a new patch
Vaginal ring	9	Headache Upset stomach Sore breasts Vaginal irritation and discharge Changes in your period High blood pressure Less common but serious risks include blood clots, stroke and heart attack; the risk is higher in smokers and women older than 35	Wear for 21 days, remove for 7 days, replace with a new ring
Diaphragm	12 If you gain or lose than 15 pounds, or have a baby, have your doctor check you to make sure the diaphragm still fit.	Irritation Allergic reactions Urinary tract infection (UTI) Vaginal infections Rarely, toxic shock if left in for more than 24 hours Using a spermicide often might increase your risk of getting HIV	Insert each time you have sex
Sponge	12 (among women who have never given birth before) or 24 (among women who have given birth)	Irritation Allergic reactions Rarely, toxic shock if left in for more than 24 hours Using a spermicide often might increase your risk of getting HIV	Insert each time you have sex
Cervical cap	23	Vaginal irritation or odour Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Allergic reactions Rarely, toxic shock if left in for more than 48 hours Using a spermicide often might increase your risk of getting HIV	Insert each time you have sex
Male condom	18	Irritation Condom may tear, break or slip off Allergic reactions to latex condoms	Use each time you have sex
Female condom	21	Irritation Condom may tear or slip out Allergic reaction	Use each time you have sex
Withdrawal	22	Sperm can be released before the man pulls out, putting you at risk for pregnancy	Use each time you have sex
Natural family planning	24	Can be hard to know the days you are most fertile (when you need to avoid having sex or use back-up birth control)	Depending on method used, takes planning each month
Spermicide alone	28 Works best if used along with a barrier method, such as a diaphragm	Irritation Allergic reactions Urinary tract infection Frequent use of a spermicide might increase your risk of getting HIV	Use each time you have sex

 

Which birth control method protects you from STI?

Only female and male condoms can give protection against STI. Condoms are the most preferable and efficient birth control methods to stay protected against STIs and prevent unwanted pregnancy simultaneously. This dual protection ensures you engage in sexual activity without any worry of getting STI and pregnant showcasing its efficacy over other forms like shot, implant and IUD.

Is it possible to get birth control without prescription?

Yes, the following birth controls are available OTC and supermarket:

• Spermicides
• Sponges
• Female condoms
• Male condoms
• EC (Emergency Contraception) pills - It is not a regular contraceptive pill and you should use it only when other birth control fails or you need emergency contraception.

Which birth controls are available only on prescription?

Prescription is a must for the following birth control methods:

• Vaginal ring
• Patch
• Oral contraceptives
• Shot or injection at the family planning or doctor’s clinic
• Diaphragms that need to be fitted by the nurse as per your vagina shape
• Cervical cap
• Implantable rod
• IUD

Medical procedures or surgeries ensuring birth control are:

• Tubal implant
• Male sterilisation (vasectomy)
• Female sterilisation (tubal ligation)

How do birth control methods work?

Based on the type you choose, birth control functions in multiple ways like:

• Female or male sterilization surgery - It prevents sperm from reaching the egg by damaging or cutting the tubes responsible for carrying sperm and eggs in men and women respectively.
• Long-acting reversible contraceptives or "LARC" methods - It prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs.
• Short-acting hormonal methods - The shot, patch, mini-pills and pills along with vaginal ring will prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs.
• Barrier methods- It includes cervical cap, sponge, diaphragm and condoms to ensure that sperm cannot get to the egg.
• Natural rhythm methods - It is all about refraining from sex or using any other birth control forms during most fertile days.

Can birth control increase the risk of health complications?

Depending on your current health and birth control type you can seek the right birth control method from the doctor. Every birth control comes with its own set of side effects and health risks. The methods, which may potentially have risks associated with them are:

• Hormonal birth control - This conjunction of birth control pills like skin patch and vaginal ring to control both progesterone and oestrogen will increase the chance of high blood pressure and blood clots resulting in stroke or heart attack.
• Spermicides - If you use it alone or along with sponge, diaphragm and cervical cap, it can irritate the vagina. It may increase the chance of HIV.
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs) - It may increase the chance of ectopic pregnancy. It takes place if the fertilised egg lodges outside the womb or uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. Although rare, it can cause uterine puncture or infection.

Is birth control helpful for painful and heavy periods?

According to the research, hormonal birth control like implantable rod, ring, shot, patch, pills and birth control methods IUD can provide temporary relief from long-term bleeding, painful and heavy periods. These will assist you to get shorter and lighter periods.

Benefits of hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control can benefit you in the following ways:

• Less acne
• Few menstrual cramps
• Lighter and more regular periods

What to do if you miss taking a pill

In case you miss taking the pill for a day then:

• Take it as early as possible
• Continue to take the rest of the pills at normal rate
• No need to opt for other birth control forms like condom unless you want protection against STIs

For missing the pill for a couple of days you must:

• Take it immediately
• Continue to take the rest of the pills at normal rate
• Use other birth control methods such as spermicide and condoms or refrain from sex for a week

Consult with the doctor if you find it difficult to take the birth control pill everyday at the same time. In such instance, you may choose a different birth control method like patch, ring, an implant or IUD that doesn’t require as much patient compliance.

What is the efficiency of withdrawal method?

Withdrawal is not a very efficient way to protect against unwanted pregnancy! Withdrawal refers to when a person pulls out the penis from the vagina before ejaculation or orgasm. It lowers the probability of sperm getting to the egg.

During the withdrawal, sperm can get released. Sometimes, during erection the fluid discharge on the penis tip can contain sperm that can cause pregnancy. Furthermore, it will not give protection against STI’s.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you are well-versed with different birth control methods. Each one of them comes with unique level of effectiveness. If you are confused as to which one to choose then we recommend you to consult with your gynaecologist or doctor for advice. You can also visit MD.co.uk to find and make an appointment with the leading gynaecologists in London.