7 Types of Contraception | What Suits you Most?

Birth control refers to a wide array of medications, techniques, and procedures used to prevent pregnancy. Pregnancy can be prevented by a combination of factors such as hormonal birth control, which is also called birth control pills.

Types of Contraception

It involves the use of synthetic hormones that prevent pregnancy either for short term or long term. These can be categorized into:

Short-acting hormonal methods

• They are used on a daily, weekly, or yearly basis. Birth control pills

These either come in a 21-day pack or 28-day pack, and one pill is taken daily. Birth control pills contain synthetic hormones that prevent the ovary from releasing eggs. If you take the pill on time, it is very effective, and the different types of contraceptive pills include:

Combination pills contain both estrogen and progesterone hormones.

Progestin-only pills, also called the minipill, may be prescribed for women who are breastfeeding or women who experience other side effects of estrogen. The pros include: it is very effective, helps with severe menstrual cramps, and has a short-term effect on your fertility.

However, some side effects are known to occur, including mild headaches, spotting and bleeding between periods, swollen breasts, and nausea. Blood clots and stroke are potential complications that come up with women who smoke cigarettes. It is also important to remember to take the pill every day.

• Vaginal ring

A vaginal ring is a thin, plastic ring that is placed inside the vagina. The ring continuously releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into your bloodstream. This can prevent ovulation or helps in thickening the cervical mucus, thus preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg. Pros include: in some women, it has additional health benefits such as reducing the incidence of some cancers, and can help with premenstrual symptoms.

Secondly, this birth control method is easy to use and has no long-term effect on your fertility. Cons include the first few months sometimes being accompanied by bleeding and spotting while inserting or removing the ring might be uncomfortable for some women. Using a vaginal ring can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer and can also cause irritation or infections in some women.

• Contraceptive injection

Women have the hormone progestogen injected into their bloodstream to prevent ovulation, and it also thickens cervical fluids, thereby stopping sperm from reaching the egg. Pros include: it is effective for three months, often leads to less painful periods, and most users have little vaginal bleeding. Cons include weight gain, skin discoloration, and nausea. Contraceptive injections also offer no protection against STIs.

• Hormonal patch

This a small sticky patch that is put on the skin to release hormones that prevent pregnancy. The patch can be put on most parts of the skin according to your liking as long as it is dry. Pros include ease of use and protection against womb or ovarian cancer. Furthermore, patches also do not require daily attention. However, the patch may be visible and can cause skin itching and irritation.

Long- hormonal methods

These last for three to ten years.

• Contraceptive implant

This is a small flexible plastic rod that is placed under the skin with the help of a healthcare provider, and steadily releases the hormone progestogen. Pros are it is effective for 3 years, useful for women that do not opt to use contraception that contains estrogen, requires no daily attention, and fertility returns once it is removed. Also, it may reduce heavy periods or lessen bloody periods. Cons include periods stop completely, the implant might be made less effective by some medications, and you might get acne.

• Intrauterine device /IUD

An IUD is a tiny device placed inside a woman’s uterus by a doctor or a nurse. The implant releases copper ions which thicken the cervical mucus and prevent sperms from reaching the egg. Pros include once it is fixed, the use of other contraception can be stopped, there is no change in sexual desires, and normal fertility returns once it is removed.

Also, it can be used by breastfeeding women. Cons include heavier, longer and more painful periods, the IUD may slip out of place and does not offer protection against STIs.

• IUS

IUS is a device that is fixed into the uterus and releases small amounts of progestogen, which prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucus and acts as a sperm barrier. An IUS is recommended for women who cannot use the combined pill. Pros include preventing pregnancy from 3 to 5 years, and once removed, normal fertility can return. Also, it is effective and can be used by breastfeeding women.

Cons are periods that might become irregular or stop altogether, which is not suitable for some women. Furthermore, the insertion or removal of the device requires the expertise of a health provider. Vaginal pains and bleeding are common for some other women. An IUS also does not protect against STI’s.

Bottom line! The best birth control method for you is the one that is safe, convenient, and effective.