Let’s Talk Birth Control Methods

I have worked in an OBGYN office for over 5 years. The questions that I get asked the most are about birth control methods:

• What method is best for me?
• Which method do you recommend?
• How soon are they effective?
• How effective are the different birth control methods?

There are so many birth control options available. In this article, I’ll give you a brief overview of the different options. I recommend that you review the options with your doctor to decide which option will work best for you and your body.

Let’s jump right in.

Barrier Methods:

These options are non-hormonal and are easy to get (mostly available over-the-counter in any pharmacy)

• Condoms: The only form of birth control that protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Male: worn by the male to prevent sperm from entering the female body
    • 82% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}
  • Female: placed in the vagina to prevent sperm from entering the female body
    • Can be placed up to eight hours before intercourse
    • 79% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

• Diaphragm: A shallow cup placed in the vagina, with spermicide, before intercourse to block and kill sperm. These are not available over-the-counter.
  • Must be fitted in doctor’s office
  • 88% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

Fertility Awareness Method:

Understanding your monthly cycles can help you plan to become pregnant or help to prevent pregnancy

• Learn which days you are fertile and use abstinence or a barrier method during that time
• 76% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs):

A small T-shaped device that gets placed in the uterus.

This is done in a doctor’s office and is a quick and simple procedure. It is generally recommended to use a backup method of birth control for 2-4 weeks, until you follow up with your doctor to check the IUD placement.

• Progestin: (Liletta, Skyla, and Mirena)
  • Works by preventing the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg due to thickened cervical mucus and keeping the lining of your uterus thin
  • Lasts up to 3-5 years (depending on the device)
  • Lessens or stops periods
  • 99.8% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

• Copper: (Paragard) hormone free
  • Copper prevents sperm from finding and fertilizing the egg
  • Lasts up to 10 years
  • Continue to have period
    • Period may be heavier and more painful
  • 99.2% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

Hormonal Contraceptive Methods:

Effective 2 weeks after starting

• Oral Contraception (or birth control pills): A pill that is taken daily. It is important to take a pill each day at the same time of the day
  • Combination Oral Contraception (progesterone and estrogen)
    • 91% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}
  • Progestin Only (Mini pill)
    • Commonly used postpartum while breastfeeding
    • 91% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}
   
• Patch:
  • Progestin and Estrogen
  • Change patch weekly
  • 91% effective (may be less effective for women that weigh more than 198 lbs) ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}
   
• Hormonal Vaginal Ring: (NuvaRing)
  • Progestin and Estrogen
  • Change ring monthly
  • 91% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}
   
• Injection: (Depo Provera)
  • Progestin
  • Shot in arm or butt every 3 months
  • 94% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}
   
• Implant: (Implanon, Nexplanon) A small rod placed under the skin in a woman’s arm
  • Progestin
  • Lasts up to 3 years
  • 99.95% effective ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

Permanent Birth Control Methods

• Tubal Ligation: A surgical procedure done to cut and tie the fallopian tubes to prevent the sperm and egg from meeting
  • Done in hospital or surgical center
  • Effective immediately ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

• Transcervical Sterilization: A small tube is placed through the cervix and a small coil is placed in the opening to each fallopian tube — It irritates the tissues and causes scar tissue to form and close the fallopian tubes
  • Done in-office or surgical center
  • Use backup method for 3 months
  • Must have test done 3 months after procedure to check full blockage ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

• Male Sterilization (Vasectomy): A surgical procedure done to prevent sperm from entering the penis
  • Done in-office or surgical center
  • Use backup method for 3 months
  • Sperm count done 3 months after procedure to check that there is no sperm in the semen ^{[jump down to the comparison table]}

I hope that this helped you understand your options for different birth control methods and that this has helped you feel more empowered and confident with the choices you are making as a woman.

You are powerful. I hope this article has helped you recognize the power that you already have within, and that you will join me in spreading that recognition to everyone you know.

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Sources:

Center for Disease Control (2017). Contraception: How effective are birth control methods? Retrieved on November 22, 2017 from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2017). Birth Control Methods. Retrieved on November 22, 2017 from https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods