What types of birth control methods are available to protect me?

Birth control is a critical part of maintaining sexual health. It puts you in charge of when you have a baby and with whom. Choosing the right method of birth control can be a challenge, though.

There are many options out there on the market for contraception protection. You can work with your healthcare provider to decide your best choice. However, a practical place to start is to learn more about each kind.

You can break the various birth control methods down into categories, such as:

• Barrier - This creates a barrier that sperm cannot pass to reach an egg, such as a male condom.
• Short-acting – You must remember to use this form like a birth control pill or even a contraceptive injection.
• Long-acting – Birth control that lasts from three to ten years. An intrauterine device (IUD) is an example of long-acting birth control.
• Sterilization – A permanent method of birth control such as tubal ligation
• Fertility awareness – This method focuses on knowing what days you are most likely to get pregnant and not have sex on them.
• Emergency – This is birth control you take after having unprotected sex, such as the morning-after pill.

Each category of birth control works differently. Some methods could fit into more than one category. For example, condoms are barrier methods but often come with spermicide.

There are pros and cons to each type of birth control. You will need to figure out which one fits your lifestyle the best.

Not everyone responds well to each method of birth control. For example, some women do not want to take hormonal birth control because of the side effects, such as mood changes. They may also have an underlying health condition that makes hormonal birth control unsafe for them.

Convenience is certainly a consideration. Short-acting birth control is something you have to remember to use. If taking a pill each day seems problematic for you, then it might not be the right choice.

The contraceptive shots are something you will need to get on a rotating basis. Perhaps you travel a lot for work and see a problem with having access to the shot when needed.

On the other hand, an IUD is something that a doctor inserts and stays until taken out. There is no appointment to make or pills to take.

You can take emergency contraception if you forget to take your pill or don’t use a condom. That can get expensive, though, over time. So it is better to choose a method you can rely on, such as long-term options.

Long-term contraception offers the highest effectiveness rate because it removes human error from the equation. The IUD goes in and stays there until a doctor removes it. You don’t have to remember to insert it or take a bill.

It is easy to look at something like condoms and see them as the most cost-efficient option, especially when you have to pay more for an IUD. What you need to remember is you pay every time for condoms. You pay just once for an IUD, and it lasts years.

Side effects are a critical consideration for many women. Hormonal birth control can have potentially serious side effects. That is true whether it is an implant, pill, shot, ring, or IUD. You may decide against using hormones because you don’t like the side effects or because they are unsafe for you due to other health concerns such as high blood pressure.

Look for the birth control that best suits your lifestyle and health situation. Talk to your healthcare provider to see which makes the most sense.

Some women opt for certain forms of birth control because it benefits them. For instance, sometimes hormonal birth control with progestin can help control menstruation issues such as cramps or heavy bleeding. It may also help clear chronic acne.

You can break the various birth control methods down into categories, such as:

• Barrier - This creates a barrier that sperm cannot pass to reach an egg, such as a male condom.
• Short-acting – You must remember to use this form like a birth control pill or even a contraceptive injection.
• Long-acting – Birth control that lasts from three to ten years. An intrauterine device (IUD) is an example of long-acting birth control.
• Sterilization – A permanent method of birth control such as tubal ligation
• Spermicide – A nonhormonal contraceptive option, such as a cream or gel. The goal is to kill or stop sperm from moving.
• Fertility awareness – This method focuses on knowing what days you are most likely to get pregnant and not have sex on them.
• Emergency – This is birth control you take after having unprotected sex, such as the morning-after pill.

Each category of birth control works differently. Some methods could fit into more than one category. For example, condoms are barrier methods but often come with spermicide.

The key is to weigh the benefits against the potential risks. Serious risks are rare. Most women experience uncomfortable side effects from hormonal birth control, such as spotting or tender breasts.

Serious complications are possible with products that contain both estrogen and progestin, and it is essential to be aware of that when making your choice. The most prominent risk is blood clots. Hormonal birth control can have estrogen that may increase your risk of venous thromboembolism, which is potentially life-threatening. It can cause a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs, or a stroke, a blood clot in the brain.

The risk of complications increases if you have an underlying health problem or smoke. Signs you might be experiencing a complication include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe headache that comes on quickly
• Redness and pain in your calf

If you choose a hormonal form of birth control, get medical help if you experience severe side effects.

You can still get long-term contraception if you are at risk for blood clots or have a medical problem that makes hormonal birth control a poor choice. A copper IUD does not use hormones. The copper on the device creates a hostile environment that sperm want to avoid.

Find out more about the benefits of copper IUDs by exploring our Flexi-T website today. Be informed, so you can choose the right contraception for your needs.