Birth Control Options: Not just for preventing babies
Contraception: Health services is able to prescribe oral contraceptives, Ortho-Evra Patch, Nuva Ring, Depo Provera, the Diaphragm, the Cervical Cap and the Morning After Pill. The doctors and nurses at Health Services are not able to prescribe any other methods of birth control, but they will be happy to recommend you to another doctor in the community who will be able to prescribe other options***was added in from something else
There are 8 main methods of contraception: over-the-counter barrier methods, combined-hormonal methods, progesterin-only methods, prescription barrier methods, continuous abstinence, withdrawal, sterilization, and fertility-based methods. The latter 4 will not be discussed here. For a complete, more detailed description of every method available, please visit the Planned Parenthood Contraceptive Choices web page.
For people who want to be sexually active and are open to the possibility of having children in the near or far future, the safest and most reliable methods of contraception are the hormonal and barrier methods. Here’s a breakdown of your contraceptive choices:
Over-the-Counter Barrier Methods
This is your cheapest, easiest to obtain method of contraception and protection against STI’s or sexually transmitted infections. You can buy all 3 methods at local drugstores: male condoms, female condoms and spermicides. Spermicides are not as effective as most other methods and have a number of disadvantages, particularly that they do not prevent HIV or other sexually transmitted infections, and we will not be discussing them on this site.
First, the most popular method of contraception worldwide:
THE CONDOM.
A condom is a sheath of latex or plastic that covers the erect penis before intercourse and prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. Most condoms are made of latex, but for people with latex allergies, there are non-latex condoms available. Condoms should fit snuggly on the erect penis, and in the case of well-endowed men, there are extra large condoms available on the market. Condoms come in a variety of colors, flavors and styles and many have lubrication on them. Novelty condoms that glow in the dark or are in strange colors or designs are not recommended for use in intercourse, as they are less safe. Condoms vary in price but usually begin at $.50 a condom and average about $1.00. Health Services offers free condoms during regular hours.
A recent report on the commonly used spermicide Nonoxynol-9 states that that Nonoxynol-9 is ineffective in preventing HIV and can raise your risk of getting an STI. Click here for more information.
The effectiveness of a condom is highly dependent on the way it is put on and how it is used. For a detailed description of the safest, easiest and most effective way to put on and take off a condom, click here.
For a comparison of condom styles and brands by Slate Magazine, click here.
MALE CONDOM: 85-98% effective
The Female Condom
The female condom is a polyurethane sheath with two flexible rings at each end. It prevents pregnancy as well as STI’s. For directions on how to insert and use the female condom, click here.
Female condoms are expensive: they average $2.50 for each condom.
FEMALE CONDOM: 79-95% effective
Combined hormonal methods use a combination of hormones similar to progesterin and estrogen (natural hormones produced by a woman’s body) to prevent pregnancy but not STI’s. These methods are a good choice for women who are STI free and in a sexual relationship with a partner who is also STI free. When combined with condoms or female condoms, the effectiveness of preventing pregnancy improves. These methods all require a prescription. There are three combined hormonal methods: The Pill, The Patch (Ortho Evra), and The Ring (NuvaRing).
The Pill uses hormones to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg and thicken the cervical mucus to prevent the sperm from joining the egg. The Pill is taken every day for the 3 weeks proceeding your period; the week of your period you take inactive pills so that you can menstruate. When you first go on the Pill, you must use an additional barrier method of contraception (male condom, female condom) for 7 days to prevent pregnancy while the hormones build up in your body. The Pill can also be used to control heavy bleeding during your period and certain brands can improve acne.
For information on what to do if you miss a pill, please go here.
Side effects may include: temporary irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea, and rarely, vomiting, changes in mood, and other discomforts.
THE PILL: 92-99.7% effective
Ortho-Evra (or the Patch, as it is commonly called) is a thin plastic patch that is placed like a band-aid on the skin of the buttocks, arm, stomach or torso and releases hormones into the body that prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg as well as thicken the cervical mucus to prevent the sperm from joining the egg. After it has been on the body for 7 days, it is replaced by a new patch. After 3 weeks, the patch is left off for a week to allow for menstruation. It does not protect against STI’s.
Side effects may include: skin reaction at the site of application, menstrual cramps, temporary irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea, and rarely, vomiting, changes in mood, and other discomforts.
THE PATCH: up to 99.7% effective
NuvaRing also uses hormones to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg and thicken the cervical mucus to prevent the sperm from joining the egg. It is a small, flexible ring that is inserted deep into the vagina for three weeks and removed for the fourth week to allow for menstruation. It releases combined hormones to protect against pregnancy for one month. It can also be used to control heavy bleeding during periods. Again, a barrier method is necessary to prevent STI’s.
Side effects may include: increased vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, temporary irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea, and rarely, vomiting, changes in mood, and other discomforts.
THE RING: up to 99.7% effective
Progesterin-only contraceptive methods release a hormone similar to that of progesterin into the woman’s body to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg and sometimes thicken vaginal mucus to prevent sperm from joining the egg. All progesterin methods must be given by prescription. There are two types of progesterin-only methods: the Shot and Progesterin-only Pills.
The Shot is a contraceptive method that is given in the form of an injection in the upper area of the buttocks. It is effective for 12 weeks and a woman does not have her period during that time. The injection must be taken consistently every 12 weeks to continue the effectiveness of the hormone. For the first few months you do not have a regular period, though spotting may occur. Recent studies show that the Shot may lower your bone density and it is recommended that you take additional calcium supplements.
Side effects may include: change of appetite, weight gain, hair loss or gain, nervousness, skin rash, a change in sex drive, irregular bleeding, headache, nausea, loss of bone density, dizziness and sore breasts.
THE SHOT: 97-99.7% effective
Progesterin-only pills work exactly like the Pill except that they only release a hormone similar to progesterin. They are pills that are taken daily, with non-active pills that are taken during the week of your period. They must be taken at the same time each day to reduce the risk of pregnancy and bleeding. Many women who are allergic to estrogen choose progesterin-only pills.
Side effects may include: irregular bleeding patterns, headache, nausea, dizziness and sore breasts.
PROGESTERIN-ONLY PILLS: 92-99.7% effective
Finally, there are some barrier methods that are only available through a doctor. These include: diaphragms, cervical caps and FemCaps. A doctor fits you with one of the three methods that are inserted within 24 hours before having intercourse and are filled with spermicidal before intercourse to further prevent sperm from reaching the egg. The effectiveness level of these methods is relatively low.
EFFECTIVENESS:
For a diaphragm: 84-94% effective
For a cervical cap: 84-91% effective
For a FemCap: 86% effective
The IUD (intrauterine device)
The IUD (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-birth-control-09.xml) is a small, plastic (or plastic and copper), T-shaped device. It is inserted into the uterus, where it prevents the fertilization of the egg by affecting the movement of sperm and the lining of the uterus. The IUD is 99% effective against pregnancy. Though an IUD can be quite expensive, it can be left in place for years. The ParaGard, for example, can be effective in preventing pregnancy for 10 years. Some women experience painful cramps or heavier periods after the insertion of an IUD. Soon after its removal, a woman is able to become pregnant again. For this reason, it is important to make sure that the IUD is in place by checking if the string of the IUD is still hanging through the cervix and into the vagina. The IUD does not protect against STIs.
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Many women choose a combined hormonal birth control method, such as the pill, the patch, and the ring, for its non-contraceptive advantages, which include shorter periods, lessening of menstrual cramps, less iron-deficiency caused by heavy menstruation, less acne, and less excess body hair.
A Note:
This guide is not intended as a full description of every method of contraception. We have only listed the most popular and effective methods. This information was taken from the Planned Parenthood website as well as from individual company websites. We at Smith PSE urge you to discuss these options with your doctor to decide which method is best for you.
Written by Meghan Greenhalgh '08, and Alla Pekareva '09
Last Updated: 1-29-06
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