5 Things To Consider Before Choosing Birth Control
Birth control or contraceptives allow women and men to do family planning. On using birth control, you can stop a pregnancy from happening. You can also plan when to get pregnant. There are various forms of birth control options. All function in different ways, but serve the same purpose.
In this post, we will discuss what you must consider before choosing a birth control.
1.What Are the Options for Birth Control?
To know which type of contraceptive you can pick, you must understand the varieties in it. Some of the alternatives are birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, etc. The type that will be ideal for you depends on several factors. Also, you may change a form of contraceptive over time depending on your health.
Here we will discuss the different types of contraceptives:
Barrier Methods
These physically restrict sperm from meeting a mature egg. Some of the options are diaphragms, condoms, cervical caps, and sponges.
Short-acting Hormonal Methods
The hormonal contraceptives contain either only progestin or a combination of progestin and estrogen. These come in the form of a birth control pill, vaginal ring, patch, or minipill. The short-acting hormonal contraceptive thickens the cervical mucus.
Then they make the endometrial lining thin. This stops the sperm from reaching the egg. But if an egg fertilizes, it cannot implant in the uterus. Birth control stops the ovaries from releasing eggs. If you choose pills, you have to take one at the same time every day.
You can use a yearly ring as well. This works for a full year. If you opt for a vaginal ring such as Nuvaring, you need to change it once every month. As for the patch, you need to change one every week.
Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC)
These are hormonal implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs). The doctor will insert it for you in the body. If you want to conceive, the doctor can remove the LARC for you. LARCs can prevent a pregnancy anywhere between 3 years and 12 years. So, you do not have to take a pill every day.
Hormonal IUDs and implants contain progestin. The contraceptive injection is also a LARC. You need to take a shot once every three months. A Copper IUD blocks the sperm from meeting an egg.
Sterilization
If you want permanent birth control then tubal ligation or tube tying works for females. For men, vasectomy works the best. But if you choose sterilization, you cannot get pregnant ever again. A reversible procedure is possible, but may not be always successful.
Withdrawal
A man can remove his penile organ from the vagina during intercourse. The ‘pull-out’ or ‘withdrawal’ stops the male from ejaculating inside the woman. This will not allow sperm from reaching the egg. But the method may fail. As even pre-cum or slight discharge of a man may contain sperm to fertilize the egg.
Tracking Monthly Cycle:
A woman can track her menstrual cycle. She can avoid having intercourse. She may also avoid using birth control on the days where she is more likely to not get pregnant. But keeping an exact track of periods is difficult. This is also risky for females who have irregular periods.
2.When Do You Want to Have Kids?
If you want to have a baby soon, then you may choose short-term birth control. For instance, an implant and IUD require a doctor to insert and remove them. These are highly effective to stop a pregnancy from taking place. But you cannot take this contraceptive off immediately.
So, a short-term contraceptive may not be a great choice if you want to have babies anytime soon. Similarly, sterilization is not a choice for those who wish to have babies. But it can be an excellent choice if you do not want to conceive anymore.
If you want to get pregnant within the next year, do not opt for the injection. This type of contraceptive can take up to a year for you to resume ovulation. You can rather choose birth control pills, rings, or patches. But even these may take a few weeks to months to wear off.
Condoms are for one-time use. And if you use it correctly, then you can try for pregnancy the moment you have unprotected intercourse.
3.How Frequently You Want to Use a Birth Control?
Are you keen on using birth control every day? If yes, then you can take birth control pills. Or, if you want to utilize a contraceptive only when you get intimate, then choose condoms. If you want to use a contraceptive weekly, then you may get a skin patch. If you want to use birth control only once a month, then vaginal rings are one of the best birth control options.
If you want to stay away from conceiving for three months at a stretch, then receive a hormonal birth control injection. If you get a hormonal IUD, then you may not conceive from 3 years to 7 years. If you get a Copper IUD, then you will not get pregnant for up to 10 years.
If you want to get a contraceptive one-time and stay without worries for long-term, then opt for an implant or IUD. If you want a mistake-proof and permanent alternative, then opt for sterilization. This will not allow you to get pregnant even during unprotected intercourse.
4.How Easy it is to Use a Contraceptive?
If you are prepared to take medications orally, then birth control pills are the best. But if oral intake of medicines does not work for you, then you can consider other options. Injection or shot will require a skin prick only. It does not hurt much.
A skin patch is also easy to use. But some may find it uncomfortable to keep on skin. Vaginal rings require the insertion of the ring in the vagina. It does not cause any discomfort during intercourse. But those who do not prefer to get something inserted into the vagina can look for other options.
Also, invasive implants and IUDs will require a short in-clinic procedure. Not everyone may want to go through this process. But it works for the long-term with a high efficacy rate. Condoms are the easiest as you need to wear them only during intercourse. But many prefer to keep the intercourse ‘real’.
As for condoms, people may not like anything interfering with sexual pleasure and sensation. This is why today thin condoms are most popular among males. Condoms may also protect from sexually transmitted infections.
5.How a Birth Control Impacts Periods and Its Symptoms?
If you take hormonal birth control, then you benefit in several ways. Not only the contraceptive protects you from conceiving, but it may also relieve menstrual cramps. It can make the periods lighter, shorter, and less painful.
This is because the hormones in these contraceptives thin out the uterine (endometrial) lining. So, the lining is also less to shed every month. One of the most effective ways to counter period symptoms is birth control pills. These ease long and heavy periods, help with cramping and regularize menses.
Hormonal IUDs may also do the same. But Copper IUDs may cause heavier and longer periods. You may want to avoid monthly periods forever. In such a case, going for a continuous hormonal contraceptive may work. Progestin IUD, injection, or implant are the best.
You can also select a patch, ring, or pill without an interval of a week. This will keep you from menstruation. So, depending on how you want your menstrual cycle, you can pick the one you like.
Birth Control Options : Wrapping Up
Whichever birth control options you choose, ensure they suit your lifestyle, health, and needs. A few health issues may restrict you from using a particular type of contraceptive. You must also consider the cost of contraceptives. How much are you ready to spend on it? Does your insurance cover it? So, weigh all the factors before making your choice.



















