This is PART 2 of our “Birth Control Methods and their Pros and Cons”
PART 1 can be found here – CLICK HERE
BIRTH CONTROL PATCH: Like birth-control pill, it is also a type of hormonal contraception. This patch is very thin and like bandage which has same hormones as pills but delivers higher estrogen. This patch simply stick it to the skin and needs to be changed weekly for 3 weeks. It is around 92% effective.
Pros:
- It is applied for only once a week.
- It is very easy to use.
- It may lead to lighter or no periods.
- It may reduce the risk of ovarian cysts and other illness.
Cons:
- It’s efficiency decreases if patch is exposed to direct sunlight.
- Higher dose of estrogen in the patch may cause more problems.
- Fertility may take up to 2 months to be normal.
- It does not give protection from STIs.
BIRTH CONTROL SHOTS: Birth control shot (Depo-Provera) is a hormonal injection to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thickening the mucus on the cervix just like the birth control pills. The main hormone in this shot is a progestin which prevents pregnancy for 3 months at a time. But it’s not recommended for more than 2 years. It is very effective i.e. around 99% efficient.
Pros:
- It only needs once in 3 months, so there is the least chance of missing the dose.
- It reduces the period bleeding, cramps, and pain.
- Efficient for those who can not take estrogen.
- It is a very effective birth control method.
Cons:
- It does not protect STIs like any other method except condoms.
- It’s not recommended for long term use.
- It affects the bleeding and cycle of your periods.
- Nausea, weight gain, breast soreness, and irregular periods are some of the side effects of these shots.
- Sometimes, it may take up to 12 months to get back your ability to conceive after your last dose.
VAGINAL RING: Vaginal ring is also a hormonal birth control option. It is a soft and flexible ring shaped plastic that is inserted inside the vagina to prevent ovulation. It is around 92% effective. The vaginal ring has two hormones which are absorbed by the vaginal lining to control birth.
Pros:
- It needs to be changed once a month, which makes it a very convenient option.
- It lowers the risk of irregular bleeding and reduce symptoms of painful cramps and heavy bleeding.
- It lowers risk of other health issues like ovarian cancer, ovarian cysts, and endometrial cancer.
- Whenever you are ready to get pregnant, just stop using it. It will take only a month or two to get back to your fertility.
Cons:
- It does not give protection from STIs i.e. HIV, HPV, herpes, etc.
- In some cases, there is an increased risk of breast and cervical cancer.
- You need to get a prescription from a doctor for this.
- You need to be very careful by following instructions i.e. follow a cycle of insertion and removal. The vaginal ring is instructed to wear for 3 weeks and then remove and leave it for 1 week.
BIRTH CONTROL IMPLANT: A small matchstick-sized plastic rod is implanted under the skin of the upper arm. It is also a hormonal birth control option that prevents ovulation to prevent pregnancy by releasing progestin hormone in the blood-stream. It is very effective of around 99.5%.
Pros:
- It is one of the most effective contraceptive method.
- It does not interrupt your sex life.
- It is one of the great alternatives for those who get affected by estrogen hormone.
- It works great for a long period of time like 3-5 years
Cons:
- It needs a local anesthesia to numb the part for insertion.
- It should be inserted and removed by the well-trained doctors only.
- It does not protect against STIs.
- It may cause minor side effects like irregular periods, acne, abdominal pain, weight gain etc.
TUBAL LIGATION: In tubal ligation, blocking, tying or cutting of fallopian tubes so that the egg cannot travel to the uterus. This way it can help prevent pregnancy forever. It is 99.99% effective. This is called as female sterilization.
Pros:
- It is the most effective method.
- It is the permanent birth control option.
- It makes you more relaxed and free from any pill, shots, implants, etc.
- It does not affect your hormones.
Cons:
- In rare cases, it gets reversed with surgery but with no guarantee of pregnancy. It is suitable for only those who never want to get pregnant.
- It does not give protection against STIs.
- In a very rare case, the surgery may cause bleeding or affect your bowel vessels.
- It is a very costly method i.e. around $1500 to $6000, especially if not covered in your insurance package.
VASECTOMY: In vasectomy procedure (male sterilization), a surgery is done to cut or block the tubes that carry sperms. If you are in a committed relationship and don’t want pregnancy forever, then it is also one of the other method after tubal ligation. Again it is also very effective of around 99.99%.
Pros:
- Just like tubal ligation, it is also very effective.
- It is permanent birth control option.
- It does not affect your sexual performance.
- It is less expensive and easier than tubal ligation.
Cons:
- It does not protect against STIs.
- Due to the surgical process, risk of infection is there.
- You’ll need to use other contraceptive method like condoms for around 2-3 months.
- Reverse process of vasectomy is very complicated, which makes it not an option in most of the cases.