Birth Control Options: Pills, Patches, and Devices

Birth Control has evolved over the past decade to rectify two significant problems: abnormal bleeding and missing pills schedule.

Instead of switching to the newly improved contraception available, women are nonetheless sticking to more common methods of birth control mainly including condoms, withdrawal, and birth control pills.

Women are uninformed of the many non-contraceptive benefits offered by the different types of birth control available today.

One example would be the advantages of the birth control pill, aside from contraception, the pill cuts the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers, relieves heavy bleeding and painful menstruation. Women are still wary to use hormonal methods of contraception due to exaggerated misinformation about the risks involved.

What are the best birth control options?

Let’s break down some of the safest birth control options available:

1. Contraceptive Implant: This small rod is inserted under the skin of your upper arm by a healthcare provider. It releases hormones to prevent pregnancy and can last up to three years. It’s over 99% effective, meaning fewer worries about accidental pregnancy.
2. Intrauterine Device (IUD): IUDs are small, T-shaped devices placed into the uterus by a healthcare provider. They come in hormonal and non-hormonal varieties, offering up to 99% effectiveness. The hormonal IUD releases progestin, while the non-hormonal one uses copper to prevent pregnancy. Once inserted, you can forget about it for years!
3. Birth Control Pills: These are pills taken daily to prevent pregnancy. There are combination pills (containing estrogen and progestin) and progestin-only pills, both of which are highly effective if taken as directed. Remembering to take a pill every day might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who are good at sticking to a routine, it’s a solid option.
4. Contraceptive Patch: This thin, beige patch sticks to the skin and releases hormones similar to those in birth control pills. You wear it on your skin and change it weekly for three weeks, then go patch-free for one week. It’s as effective as the pill when used correctly.
5. Contraceptive Ring: The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring inserted into the vagina once a month. It releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. You leave it in for three weeks, then remove it for one week. It’s over 99% effective when used as directed.
6. Condoms: Condoms are a barrier method of contraception and are highly effective when used consistently and correctly. They not only prevent pregnancy but also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Plus, they’re readily available and don’t require a prescription.
7. Diaphragm or Cervical Cap: These are barrier methods that fit inside the vagina and cover the cervix to block sperm from reaching the uterus. They need to be used with spermicide and must be fitted by a healthcare provider.

Remember, the effectiveness of each method can vary depending on factors like consistency of use and individual health considerations. It’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider to find the best option for you. And for added protection against STIs, using condoms in combination with other birth control methods is recommended.

What birth control has the least side effects?

When it comes to birth control methods, everyone’s body reacts differently, so what works great for one person might cause side effects in another. However, some methods are generally associated with fewer side effects for many people:

1. Non-Hormonal IUD: The copper IUD doesn’t contain hormones, so it typically doesn’t cause hormonal side effects like mood swings, weight gain, or changes in libido. Some people may experience heavier periods or cramping, but for many, it’s a side-effect-free option.
2. Barrier Methods (Condoms, Diaphragm, Cervical Cap): Since barrier methods like condoms don’t alter your body’s hormones, they’re less likely to cause systemic side effects. However, some individuals might have allergies to certain materials in condoms or find them uncomfortable.
3. Contraceptive Implant: While the contraceptive implant releases hormones, it’s a localized method, meaning it doesn’t affect your entire body systemically like oral contraceptives might. Some users may experience irregular bleeding or changes in menstrual patterns, but the side effects are often milder compared to other hormonal methods.
4. Copper IUD: This type of IUD doesn’t contain hormones, so it typically doesn’t cause hormonal side effects like mood swings, weight gain, or changes in libido. Some people may experience heavier periods or cramping, but for many, it’s a side-effect-free option.
5. Condoms: Aside from the occasional latex allergy or irritation, condoms generally don’t have significant side effects since they work externally to prevent pregnancy.
6. Spermicide: Spermicides are chemical substances that kill sperm. While they can be used alone, they’re often used in combination with barrier methods like diaphragms or condoms. Side effects are minimal, though some people might experience irritation or allergic reactions.

It’s essential to remember that everyone’s body is different, and what works well for one person may not work the same for another. If you’re experiencing side effects from your current birth control method, it’s worth discussing alternatives with your healthcare provider to find the best option for you.

Types of oral contraceptives

There are 4 different types of oral contraceptives:

1. Low doses – contraceptives that carry low levels of ethinyl estradiol and progestin.
2. Combined oral contraceptives – contraceptives that contain twenty to thirty micrograms of ethinyl estradiol with progestin.
3. Progestin drospirenone (DRSP) – used in Yaz and Yasmin, drospirenone has the same pharmacological effects of that of natural progesterone thus it also has slight diuretic properties. Yaz has 24/4 formulation meaning users take active pills for twenty-four days and inactive pills for four days; during the four days, menstruation occurs.
4. Extended cycle – contraceptives that allow women to opt out of menstruating, for either convenience or health reasons. With this option, women take active pills for over two cycles while omitting the hormone-free interval which induces menstruation. The extended cycle has the same risks as that of the general 21/7 cycle.

The theoretical efficiency of oral contraception is not often lived up to in the real world due to regularly missed pills. Studies show that up to forty percent of women often miss pills in any birth control regimen causing unwanted pregnancy and unscheduled bleeding. The transdermal patch and vaginal ring were created to minimize these problems.

Birth control patches

The patch (Evra, Ortho-Janssen) releases hormones into the skin every day for a week. The ring (Nuvaring, Merck) delivers hormones daily for one month. Both contraceptives are extremely effective and related to improved bleeding, although there had been concerns about the dosage of estrogen continuously being delivered to the body.

There are concerns regarding the Evra patch which dispatches more estrogen than the regular patch. There had also been warnings issued by the FDA and Health Protection Branch (HPB) about the increased risk of thrombosis associated with the patch. Hence, the vaginal ring is seen as the most competent in cycle control and consistent with the lowest rate of unscheduled bleeding. In spite of the favorable points, girls are not open to the way the ring is self-administered (insertion into the vagina).

Intrauterine devices

The intrauterine device continues to be overlooked by its poor image and is still unknown for its obliging efficacy and safety. Overshadowed by false ideas of increased pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, patients and physicians are oblivious of the benefits of the intrauterine device.

1. Copper IUD – Can be used for thirty months and are believed to be 96% to 98% effective. Failure rates are about 1% and the rates of discontinuation are around 10% – 15% mostly due to increased bleeding and pain.
2. Mirena IUD – This IUD can be used up to five years with the highest efficacy rates of 99.8%.
   The effectiveness of the use of the intrauterine device is comparable to that of surgical female sterilization. Aside from contraception, other advantages offered by the IUD include a significant decrease in dysmenorrhea and bleeding. Insertion is a procedure done at a clinical office.

Evidently, contraceptives are still being developed, and new developments continue to be introduced to the public. As the number of contraceptive options increase, the challenge lingers to increase awareness and reassure patients of the safety of these options.

Reference

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/
2. https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/
3. https://www.webmd.com/