It’s easy to be confused by all the birth control options
out there: Should you take a progestin-only pill or the mainstream combination
pill? Can an IUD affect your chances of having children in the future? Is the
female condom as effective as its male counterpart?
Combination pill
What it does: This birth control mainstay is still 99%
effective against pregnancy when taken around the same time every day. It's
also known for easing hot flashes and restoring regular periods.
Who should avoid it: Smokers and those 35 or older. The
estrogen may cause dangerous blood clots. If you suffer from migraines, you
should also pass because it may trigger the painful headaches.
Progestin-only pill
What it does: Known as the mini pill, progestin-only meds
don't contain estrogen. They're safer for smokers, diabetics, and heart disease
patients, as well as those at risk for blood clots. They also won't reduce the
milk supply for women who are breast-feeding.
Who should avoid it: If you have trouble remembering to take
your pill at the same time every day, progestin-only pills might not be your
best bet. They need to be taken at exactly the same time every day; if you're
more than three hours late, plan on using a backup method.
Extended-cycle pill
What it's called: Lybrel, Seasonale, Seasonique
What it does: These pills prevent pregnancy and allow you to
have a period only every three months. (Note: Lybrel stops your period for a
year, but you must take a pill every day, year-round.)
Who should avoid it: There's no evidence proving it's
dangerous not to have periods, but there is still no long-term research to show
that it is safe.
Vaginal ring
What it's called: NuvaRing
What it does: The ring is made of flexible plastic and
delivers estrogen and progestin, just like the combination pill. You place the
ring in your vagina for three weeks, and then remove it for one week so that
you have a regular period.
Who should avoid it: Women who smoke, or have blood clots or
certain cancers, should not use the NuvaRing.
Diaphragm
What it's called: Milex Wide Seal, Ortho All-Flex, Semina,
SILCS
What it does: Made of rubber and shaped like a dome, a
diaphragm prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg. It covers the cervix and must
always be used with a spermicide. Women must be fitted for a diaphragm in their
doctor's office.
Who should avoid it: If your weight tends to fluctuate by
more than 10 pounds at a time, the diaphragm may not work. If you gain or lose
weight, you'll need to be refitted. Prone to bladder infections? You might want
to consider another option. If you've had toxic shock syndrome, you shouldn't
use a diaphragm.
IUD
What it's called: Mirena, ParaGard
What it does: ParaGard is a surgically implanted copper
device that prevents sperm from reaching the egg. Mirena, also surgically
implanted, works by releasing hormones. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are more
than 99% effective and good for 10 years.
Who should avoid it: Some doctors recommend the device only
for women who have given birth. When the device is implanted, your uterus is
expanded, and this might cause pain in women who have not had children. If
you're planning on having children in a year or two, look at other options. The
IUD can be removed, but the high cost—up to $500—might not be worth it for
short-term use.
Female condom
What it's called: Femy, Protectiv, Reality
What it does: The female condom is made of polyurethane, or
soft plastic, and protects against STDs. It is inserted deep into the vagina,
over the cervix, much like a diaphragm. Unlike the male condom, the female
condom can be put into place up to eight hours before sex.
Who should avoid it: Male condoms offer more protection—both
against STDs and pregnancy—than female condoms, so if you and your male partner
aren't in a long-term, monogamous relationship, female condoms are not a
perfect substitute.
Male condom
What it's called: Durex, LifeStyles, Trojan
What it does: Male condoms protect against pregnancy and
STDs, including HIV. Worn properly, condoms prevent sperm from entering the
uterus. Go with latex or polyurethane condoms; lambskins do not shield you
against all STDs.
Who should avoid it: If your mate is allergic to latex or
polyurethane, you'll have to find another option. And if you tend to use a
lubricant that contains oil, such as hand lotion or baby oil, you'll need to
switch to an oil-free option like K-Y Jelly, which, unlike oil-based
lubricants, doesn't degrade latex.
Patch
What it's called: Ortho Evra
What it does: You can place the hormone-releasing patch on
your arm, buttock, or abdomen, and rest easy for one week.
Who should avoid it: If you're particularly at risk for
blood clots, you might want to find a different method. The patch delivers 60%
more estrogen than a low-dose pill, so you're at an increased risk for
dangerous blood clots.
Implant
What it's called: Implanon, Norplant
What it does: About the size of a matchstick, the implant is
placed under the skin on your upper arm. Implants last for three years and can
cost up to $800. They are nearly 100% effective.
Who should avoid it: Implanon may not work as well for women
taking St. John's wort, or women who are overweight.
Sterilization
What it's called: Essure, tubal ligation, vasectomy
What it does: Women can undergo either tubal ligation, a
surgical procedure that blocks the fallopian tubes from carrying eggs to the
uterus, or tubal implants (Essure), a nonsurgical technique in which a small
coil is inserted into the fallopian tubes. The sterilization process is less
risky for men: A vasectomy is a minor surgery in which the tubes that carry
sperm from the testicles are cut.
Who should avoid it: If you plan to have children,
sterilization is not an option—it's not designed to be reversible.
Emergency contraception
What it's called: Copper T IUD, Next Choice, Plan B, Plan B
One-Step
What it does: Emergency contraception is a backup for
regular birth control. Plan B contains a higher dose of the same synthetic
hormones found in the combination pill. It works best if taken within 72 hours
of unprotected sex, but may work up to five days later. There's also the copper
T IUD, which a doctor can insert into your uterus five to seven days after
unprotected sex.
Who should avoid it: Plan B, known as the morning-after
pill, is available over-the-counter at most pharmacies, but only to women 18
years and older. Minors need a prescription. Copper T IUDs can be very
expensive—up to $500. Plus, they last for up to 10 years, so if you hope to get
pregnant in the future, this isn't for you.
Article and Image Credit: http://www.health.com/
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