Birth Control- an overview
Ok guys! Today we want to talk about birth control (BC). There is a lot of information out there and it can definitely feel overwhelming to pick the type that is right for you, your body and your situation. And that is why we are here to help at Recharged PT! If you’re considering taking (or changing) birth control – commonly known as contraception – there are a variety of options available to you. Each one works a bit differently and comes with its own set of pros and cons. There is no “best” method of birth control because it can be determined by the following:
How quickly (or if) you want to get pregnant
How well each method works
Possible side effects you may experience
How often you have intercourse
Your overall health
The intake method that will work best for you (e.g., Will you remember to take a pill at the same time everyday?)
BC works in different ways including preventing the sperm from reaching the egg, preventing an egg from being released each month, damaging or inactivating the sperm, altering the uterine lining so a fertilized egg can’t attach to it, and thickening the cervical mucus so sperm cannot pass through.
There are many different types of contraception, ranging in effectiveness:
Abstinence means refraining from part or all aspects of sexual contact for medical, psychological, legal, social, moral or religious reasons.
Male or female sterilization through a tubal ligation or occlusion (female) or vasectomy (male) via medical procedure to prevent pregnancy for the rest of your life.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) include IUDs and hormonal implants. They are inserted by your doctor and last 3 to 10 years, depending on the type.
Short-acting hormonal methods include “the pill,” shots, patches or vaginal rings that are prescribed by your doctor that you need to remember to take every day or month. The shot requires a visit to your doctor every 3 months.
Barrier methods include condoms, cervical caps, sponges and female diaphragms that you don and doff every time you have sex.
fertility awareness methods mean abstaining from sex and/or only using birth control on the days you are most fertile (ovulating). This means you will have to track your cycle in order to understand when those days occur.
Each type of contraception comes with its own benefits and disadvantages. There is a handy chart here that compares and contrasts each type of contraception we talked about above – including possible side effects and risks.
In addition to finding the method that works best for you, there are other possible factors you may want to consider. It is important to consider why types of BC are compatible with your religious beliefs and cultural practices, if any. Some methods are considered a violation of religious law and it is important to weigh the effectiveness against your personal convictions.
It is also important to choose a method that suits your lifestyle in convenience and affordability. You’re a lot more likely to be compliant if you choose a method that best suits your daily life. For some people, taking a pill every day is easy with setting an alarm. For others, this may be difficult. For some, the most important part may be contraception that is easy to use without side effects. For others, the cost of access and being able to obtain it without a visit to the doctor may be the most important consideration. If you have a partner, it may be important to have an honest discussion about contraceptive preferences each of you has. It is imperative that you have a method that is acceptable to you both.
Overall, there is no “best” form of birth control: each experience is individual and there is no wrong answer. What may work for you may not work for someone else and vice versa. The best type of contraception is one that works well for you and your partner with minimal side effects and is easy to remember to use. This varies from person to person and may even change over time. There is no wrong answer as long as you do you!
<3 The Recharged Performance Therapy Team
(321) 802-1630
www.rechargedperformancetherapy.com
References
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/in-depth/birth-control-options/art-20045571
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11427-birth-control-options
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods
https://youngwomenshealth.org/guides/pros-and-cons-contraceptive-methods/
https://www.fda.gov/media/150299/download