Choosing a birth control method is a salient decision that affects your health, lifestyle, and relationships. With so many options, from pills and patches to implants and IUDs, finding the proper method for your needs can feel overwhelming. But not to worry, today we’ll walk through the pros and cons of the most popular birth control types so you can determine what works best based on your priorities and situation. Whether you’re looking for something temporary or long-acting, hormonal or non-hormonal, affordable or high-tech, there’s birth control out there for you. By the end of this blog, you’ll feel empowered to confidently choose the best birth control for your body and lifestyle. The decision is personal, but the information is here to support you.
Why Birth Control is Necessary
Birth control is necessary for several reasons. When you’re not ready to start a family, preventing unplanned pregnancy is vital for your health, relationships, and plans.
There are a few key reasons why using contraception is crucial if you’re sexually active:
- The most obvious reason for birth control is stopping sperm from fertilizing an egg to prevent pregnancy when you’re not ready. Whether you want kids someday and just not now or don’t want kids at all, contraception gives you control over your reproductive health.
- Being able to control if and when you become pregnant allows you to pursue education, advance your career, and achieve life goals before starting a family. Contraception gives you flexibility and options.
- When you’re able to have sex without the worry of unplanned pregnancy, it can improve your emotional and physical intimacy with your partner. The reassurance of effective birth control leads to better sexual experiences.
- The cost of birth control is much less than the cost of pregnancy and raising a child. Using contraception helps you plan if and when you’re financially ready to start a family.
In short, birth control allows us to take control of our reproductive health, enables us to plan the future on our own timeline, leads to better relationships, and saves money.
There are many highly effective methods to choose from so you can find what works for your needs and lifestyle. Contraception is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your partner.
Men and Women Both Need to be Serious about Birth Control
Men and women both need to take responsibility for birth control. No one should assume their partner has it covered or that contraception is solely a woman’s concern. There are many options for birth control, but the most effective methods typically require involvement from both parties.
Shared responsibility
Using birth control is a shared responsibility between partners. Accidentally becoming pregnant when one partner assumed the other was handling contraception is unfair to both people involved. The most effective forms of birth control, like implants, IUDs, and sterilization, also require consent and cooperation from both partners. Couples need to have an open conversation about their options and come to an agreement together on the method that works best for their situation.
Double up for maximum effectiveness.
For the highest effectiveness, couples may want to consider doubling up on methods, such as using condoms along with a hormonal form of birth control. This can ensure maximum coverage in case one plan fails or is used incorrectly. Doubling up is especially prudent for younger couples, as they are still learning how to properly use contraception, or for those who know they do not want children at this point in their lives. Two methods are always better than one when it comes to preventing unplanned pregnancy.
Always remember, birth control is a team effort. When both partners take an active role in the decision-making and usage, the outcome is more likely to be a success.
Understanding Your Birth Control Options
When it comes to birth control, you have more options than ever before. The trick is finding the perfect method that suits your needs and lifestyle.
Hormonal Methods
For women, the pill is popular and effective, using hormones to prevent ovulation. But it offers both advantages and disadvantages to consider before choosing what’s suitable for you.
- Hormonal contraceptives, like the pill, patch, ring, and certain IUDs, work by releasing synthetic hormones that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, and block sperm. The main pro is that they effectively prevent pregnancy when used correctly. They also often reduce menstrual cramps and make periods lighter.
- On the other hand, hormonal birth control can cause undesirable side effects in some women, like nausea, mood changes, and weight gain. They do not protect against STDs and may require a prescription. The pill must be taken daily at the same time, which some find inconvenient. The shot can cause irregular bleeding for the first few months.
- The patch and ring need to be changed weekly or monthly. Apart from that, certain medications can also make hormonal birth control less effective. However, the side effects are not experienced by all users and often lessen over the first few months of use. If you’re concerned about side effects, talk to a doctor about switching to a lower dose or a different method.
The benefits of safe, effective pregnancy prevention outweigh the potential downsides for many. But you need to weigh all the pros and cons based on your needs and situation before starting any birth control.
But this isn’t your only option. Here are some more.
Barrier Methods
If you prefer hormone-free options, consider barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps. These barrier methods block sperm from reaching the egg. Condoms are very effective at preventing STDs as well as pregnancy. However, barrier methods typically have higher failure rates and require usage with every act of intercourse.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
LARCs like IUDs and implants are highly effective and long-lasting. The copper IUD prevents fertilization for up to 12 years, while the hormonal IUD or implant stops ovulation and lasts 3 to 5 years. LARCs are quickly reversible but do require a procedure to insert and remove.
Natural family planning
The best way for birth control is natural family planning, or fertility awareness, which involves tracking our menstrual cycle to determine when we’re most fertile and avoiding unprotected sex during those times. This method requires diligent cycle tracking and works best for people with very regular cycles.
Permanent sterilization
Many people are done having children or want to avoid pregnancy permanently; for those, sterilization procedures like vasectomy (for men) and tubal ligation (for women) are options. These minimally invasive surgeries block the fallopian tubes or vas deferens to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. They are highly effective but usually cannot be reversed.
There are more birth control choices now than ever, but that also means more to consider. The method that’s best for your friend or sister may not suit you, so find the one that fits you.
Choosing the Right Birth Control Based on Your Lifestyle
You must consider your own lifestyle and needs while selecting a birth control method. Some methods may work better depending on factors like:
Your daily routine
Methods like the pill require you to take it at the same time each day. An IUD or implant may be better if you have an irregular schedule.
Frequency of intercourse
Barrier methods like condoms are good if you have sex infrequently, while long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs and implants provide continuous coverage no matter how often you have sex.
Desire to have children in the future
If you plan to conceive in the next year or two, a short-term method like condoms, pills, or the patch may be preferable. LARCs and sterilization are best if you don’t want kids for 3-10 years or ever.
Health conditions
This is the most critical topic people often ignore. Some conditions like high blood pressure or migraine headaches may limit your options. So, check with your doctor about any contraindications.
Ease of use
Look for a simple method with minimal hassle and maintenance. Implants and IUDs are ‘set it and forget it’ options. Pills and patches require frequent replacement and refills.
Partner involvement
Barrier methods involve the male partner, while hormonal and implanted methods are focused solely on the female. That’s why it’s salient to consider your partner’s willingness to use certain types of birth control.
The method you choose should fit your lifestyle, be highly effective, and help you avoid unintended pregnancy so you can live freely while staying protected.
Talking to Your Doctor About Birth Control
Speaking with your doctor is one of the most salient steps when it comes to choosing the proper birth control method. They can walk you through the pros and cons of the options based on your health, lifestyle, and priorities.
Ask Questions
Don’t hesitate to ask the doctor any questions you may have about specific birth control methods you’re interested in. Some things you’ll want to discuss include:
- How effective it is at preventing pregnancy. Effectiveness can vary based on the method and how consistently it’s used.
- Potential side effects or health risks to be aware of. All birth control options have some risks, so you want to choose one with side effects you can live with.
- How soon will it become effective once you start using this? Some methods, like the pill or IUD, provide immediate protection, while others require some time.
- Long-term considerations like future fertility. Some options, like sterilization, are permanent, while others have no effect on future fertility.
Follow-Up Care
Once you start a birth control method, follow up with your doctor as recommended. They can check how well it’s working for you, monitor for any side effects, and make adjustments as needed. Don’t hesitate to contact them right away if you have any concerns or experience serious side effects.
The most effective birth control is the one you will use properly and consistently.
Conclusion
So there you have it: a look at the most popular birth control options available today and some tips to determine what might be the best fit for your unique situation. Most importantly, you take control of your reproductive health and choose a method that you feel empowered and comfortable with. Your body, your choice. Now go forth and explore the wonderful world of birth control – safely, of course!