There are so many birth control options today that can be taken safely and used for a long time with few side effects. Doing your research and talking with your obgyn provider is a great way to figure out which birth control can impact your life in a positive way.
While most choose a birth control option to prevent pregnancy some birth control options bring much needed relief for heavy painful periods, reducing migraines and managing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
From side effects to how they affect your daily life, here are a few things to consider before finding the right contraceptive for you.
What Types of Birth Control are There?
Birth control takes many forms, and each one functions differently. It’s important to understand how they are different and the options that are available to you before deciding on a specific type of contraceptive.
Some forms of birth control are over the counter, some require surgical procedures, but talking with a gynecologist about why you want to be on birth control and how it will affect your body will give you insight on the best option.
Hormonal Birth Control
Contraceptives that disrupt your hormonal cycle are quite common. Birth control pills are the second most popular form of contraceptive in women ages 15-49. They work by releasing hormones – mainly estrogen and progesterone – that stop your ovaries from forming eggs and thins out the uterine lining so a fertilized egg cannot attach or grow there. Additionally, it thickens the mucus which then acts as a sperm barrier.
Other than pills, there are intrauterine devices (IUD), implants, hormonal patches, and vaginal rings to choose from.
Non-hormonal Birth Control
These contraceptive methods include physical barriers like male and female condoms, the copper Paragard which is a popular IUD, and spermicide substances. Their range of effectiveness varies with paragard being the most effective and long lasting. This IUD can work for up to 10 years and has a 99% effectiveness rate.
Male and female condoms are also able to prevent STDs, which is something most other birth control methods cannot do.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a consistent reliable ovulation cycle you can closely monitor your body’s natural cycle by tracking your basal body temperature and observing vaginal mucus thickness to avoid prime ovulation days. Keep in mind the failure rate for this method can be as high as 24%.
Permanent Birth Control
If you decide to live a child free life or you’re done having children, you can also opt for permanent birth control such as having your tubes tied. About 700,000 procedures are done here in the U.S. annually. The correct medical term for this is tubal ligation and despite it being considered surgery, it does not require an overnight stay.
There are several ways to have this procedure done, but the least invasive is a laparoscopy.
Birth Control Side Effects and Risks
One of the most important things you should consider when thinking about going on any birth control method is the possible side effects you might experience.
Side Effects
The majority of side effects you have heard of pertain to hormonal birth control and for most people they will happen during the first weeks or months of starting the method you choose to use.
It’s important to keep in mind that people who experience prolonged and intense side effects is relatively low, but it’s still important to get informed beforehand.
Some side effects can be:
- Nausea
- Changes (increase or decrease) in menstrual bleeding
- Headaches
- Mood changes
Risks
The risks depend on what birth control method you are taking. If you have any previous health concerns or take any medication, it is crucial to bring that up to your health provider when discussing going on birth control.
Once again, the possibility of experiencing any of the risks is low and lifestyle adjustments can help reduce them. Let’s go through a few of the most known risks for birth control methods.
Hormonal and Copper IUDs
IUDs have a 1% chance of failing to prevent pregnancy, and within that, ectopic pregnancies can be a concern.
If you experience very painful cramps and heavy period flow, there is a risk of the IUD falling out.
Birth Control Pills
The majority of risks are for combination pills, the ones that have both estrogen and progestin. The risks are:
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Progestin-only pills or “mini-pills” are available with much less risk of these.
Upper Arm Implant
The implant is inserted through a small incision in the upper arm. While not considered surgery, it is normally done in the office. The risks include:
- Allergies to any part of the implant.
- A history of blood clots, heart attack or stroke.
- A history of breast cancer, liver tumors or disease.
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Irregular bleeding
What about Spermicide and Condoms?
It’s true that generally, physical barriers and spermicides cause less long term side effects and risks, but there are some considerations to be had.
First, they are less effective than hormonal contraceptives, the copper IUD and the implant. Condoms have an 87% to 98% effectiveness depending on how correctly they are used.
Spermicides have a 79-84% effectiveness rate, which is the lowest amongst the non-natural birth control methods. They can also cause irritation in the vagina from repeated use and are not recommended for people who have had allergic reactions to silicone.
You may be interested: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Will Contraceptives Change My Daily Routine?
Taking birth control might alter your daily life in positive and negative ways. Long-term IUDs and the implant can free you of the worry of not having condoms on hand every time you want to have intimacy. They can also make periods less painful and heavy for some people, decrease PMS, and mood swings before your cycle.
To lower cardiovascular related risks, you might want to take up daily exercises that promote circulation, which will improve your overall health.
Birth control pills require you to remember to take them everyday, usually at the same hour each day. Most packets include precise instructions and arrows in the blister to help you keep track. Having a reminder on your phone is the best failsafe to never miss a pill.
In general, birth control methods don’t require you to massively change your routine, and can be added pretty seamlessly into your lifestyle.
The only exception would be if you choose to work with your body’s natural cycles. When doing this, there will be a lot of monitoring added to your life, and you won’t be able to engage in sex at your leisure, which might not be ideal for some people.
How do I Choose a Birth Control Method?
The first step to choosing a birth control method is to get informed. Learn as much as you can from reputable sources about the options out there. Each method is ideal for different types of people.
And don’t dismiss minor things when making the decision. If you are a forgetful person and barely remember what you had for lunch yesterday, a long-term low-maintenance method is probably better than a daily pill or monitoring practice.
Your own health also plays a big part in picking a contraceptive method. This is why after reading about birth control, talking to a health care provider, discussing at length why you want to go on birth control and what your medical history looks like, is your next best step.
You don’t need to make this decision alone, and never be afraid to ask for help and guidance when it comes to your reproductive health.
About Lone Tree’s Mission
Lone Tree OB/GYN & Midwives is a full-service obstetrics and gynecology office with a team of highly regarded providers recognized throughout the Castle Rock, Colorado, community for their exceptional care.