What are the different birth control methods? And what are the Pros and Cons of these methods ? – PART 1
Different ways to prevent pregnancy are called as birth-control methods. There are lots of options for this i.e. from pills to patches to implants. You can choose the one as per your requirement and by checking out all the pros and cons of that particular method. Hope this article will help to give you detailed information of various birth control methods, so you can decide it easily.
Various methods of birth control are as follows:
MALE CONDOMS: Male condoms are small and thin pouches that goes over the penis during intercourse. They are made from latex, polyurethane, and lambskin and act as a barrier method by preventing semen from entering the vagina. It is one of the easiest and commonly used method to prevent pregnancy. It is around 80% effective.
Pros:
- It is one of the easiest and safest method with no side-effects.
- It not only act as a birth control option but also prevents sexually transmitted infections(STI).
- They are easily available at many places like medical store, grocery store, and online. And you don’t need any prescription to buy these.
- As it is inexpensive and does not make any hormonal changes, so it is one of the most commonly used option.
Cons:
- With condoms, some men complain about the reduced pleasure during intercourse.
- It is to be used only once.
- Those who are allergic to latex, may opt for other options which are expensive than latex condoms.
- Sometimes condoms get torn up due to excessive friction while having sex, which may result into an unexpected pregnancy.
FEMALE CONDOMS: Female condoms are of pouch like structure which is inserted inside the vagina before having sex. They are made from latex-free rubber and also act as a barrier method. It should be used carefully and correctly, which is around 90% effective.
Pros:
- It is a good option for people who are allergic to latex.
- It’s a bit larger than male condoms which cover gives more coverage and protection.
- If you are talking about sensation, then it is more preferable over male condoms.
- It also reduces the chance of pregnancy as well as STIs.
- They are also very easy to purchase, use, and have no side effects.
Cons:
- These are not difficult to use but need a little practice.
- These should be inserted up to 8 hours in advance before having sex.
- Sometimes, these cause popping noise during intercourse.
- Some people find it inconvenient to use.
DIAPHRAGM: Diaphragm is a small and flexible silicon based cup that goes deep inside the vagina that covers the cervix and blocks the sperm from reaching an egg. A cream/gel called as spermicide is used along with the diaphragm to kill any sperm around that barrier. It is around 90% effective.
Pros:
- As it is hormone and latex-free option, which makes it the safest method to use.
- It’s presence is not felt by you or your partner.
- It is a re-usable option.
- As it doesn’t affect your hormones, so if you want to get pregnant, just stop using it.
- With this you can have sex more than once, all you need to do is to apply the spermicide before each time you have sex.
Cons:
- You need a doctor’s prescription or guidance to get one.
- It does not protect against STIs.
- It should be placed for around 6 hours before having sex and minimum for 6 hours after having sex but don’t let it inside for more than 24 hours.
- May be a little difficult and need more practice to place it properly.
- It may cause vaginal irritation mostly due to spermicide.
IUDs: Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small and flexible device that is placed inside the uterus by the doctors. And gives protection from 3 to 10 years according to the type you have used. It gets removed by the doctors whenever you start family planning. It is 99% effective.
Pros:
- It gives birth-control protection for years.
- It is very flexible and tiny that you’ll not even feel it.
- It is one of the highly effective methods.
- It can be used by lactating women or women who take any medication.
- You can get pregnant right after your doctor removes it.
- It is of two types: hormonal and copper based, so have the choice which one you prefer.
Cons:
- It does not prevent against STIs.
- You just can’t buy and use it, you need a specialist to place and remove it.
- Most of the women don’t experience any side-effects but some (around 1%) may experience uterine infection during insertion.
- It can cost a hundred dollars at once, but mostly covered by health insurance. And as look at the long term cost of other methods, it’s still costs less.
SPERMICIDES: Spermicides are the chemicals which are available in the form of a gel, cream, or foam. They help prevent pregnancy by killing the sperms before they reach the uterus. If it is to be used alone, it’s only 75% effective. For more effectiveness, it needs to be used with other barrier methods like condoms, diaphragm, or cervical cap.
Pros:
- It is quite easy to use.
- It is easily accessible.
- You don’t need any prescription to purchase it.
- It is very affordable.
- Lactating women can also use this.
- It does not affect your hormones.
Cons:
- No protection from STIs.
- It’s not that effective if used alone.
- It gets messy to use spermicide.
- It needs to be used properly every time you have sex ( minimum 15 minutes before intercourse or need to reapply after an hour)
- It may cause vaginal or penis infection.
BIRTH CONTROL PILLS: These hormonal contraception is the combination of estrogen and progestin hormones. These hormones basically thicken the mucus on the cervix and stop ovulation, which means no fertilization. They are of two types: combination pills and mini pills. This method is around 95% effective.
Pros:
- It is a very effective birth control method.
- It does not affect your sex life.
- It can also help to reduce menstrual cramps.
- It also helps in other health benefits like in preventing acne, iron deficiency, PMS, and many more.
Cons:
- It must be taken every day at the same time.
- It may also cause headache, breast tenderness, nausea, and spotting but these symptoms normally subside within 2-3 months.
- It does not give protection from STIs.
- You need a doctor’s prescription to purchase these pills.
- In rare cases, it may cause blood clotting in legs and lungs.
That’s the end of our PART 1 on this topic, we will be covering other methods in our upcoming PART 2 article which you can find by CLICKING HERE
Hope you enjoyed the article.