Family Planning
Contraception Overview
Contraception often called birth control, is utilized by women and their partners as a way to avoid becoming pregnant. There are several different types of birth control, that work in a variety of ways. Selecting a birth control that is right for you and your partner is an important decision. Please ensure that you discuss contraception options in more detail with your OBGYN.
Abstaining from sex is the most dependable way to avoid pregnancy. If you and your partner decide to engage in sex, a list of contraceptions you can consider using is provided below:
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
These types of birth control can act to prevent pregnancy for years but are reversible once removed, allowing for pregnancy to occur. Intrauterine devices, or IUDs, are a type of LARC that is inserted into the uterus. This insertion is performed in-office by a trained physician. IUDs require a prescription written by a physician.
Hormonal IUDs work by releasing levonorgestrel. Some common hormonal IUDs include Mirena, which releases hormones for up to 5 years, and Kyleena, which releases a lower dose of hormones for up to 5 years. Non-hormonal IUDs, or copper IUDs, do not release hormones and instead work by creating a toxic environment for sperm. Copper IUDs can be used between 3 to 10 years.
Hormonal Methods
There are several other contraceptives that work through the release of hormones. These include oral contraceptives, injections, the skin patch, and vaginal rings. The skin patch and injections are administered and release hormones over a certain amount of time. Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, are taken daily. It is important that instructions are strictly followed when taking these pills in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. Vaginal rings are inserted into the vagina and can remain there for 3 weeks before they need to be removed and replaced. All forms of hormonal birth control require a prescription written by a physician.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods provide a physical barrier that acts to prevent pregnancy. Some barrier contraceptives include male and female condoms, diaphragms and sponges. All of these methods must be used each time you and your partner engage in intercourse. While most of these methods can be purchased at a local drug store without a prescription, certain methods, such as diaphragms, often require a prescription and a fitting appointment with a doctor to find your appropriate size. Although condoms are not the most reliable way to prevent pregnancy, they are the only contraceptive method that can help to protect you from the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To increase effectiveness, condoms can be used alongside other methods, such as birth control pills.
Natural Family Planning
This method requires strict tracking of a woman’s menstrual cycle, in order to identify when she is ovulating. Women are highly fertile during their day of ovulation and the 5 days prior. During these 6 days every month, intercourse should be avoided entirely or occur while using one of the barrier methods. This is not the most reliable form of contraception, resulting in pregnancy 24% of the time. This method is more appropriately used by couples who are actively trying to get pregnant by tracking the woman’s ovulation period.
Permanent Birth Control
Permanent birth control, also called sterilization, is a surgical procedure. The surgical process for males is called a vasectomy, in which the vas deferens are cut and tied. This blocks sperm from being ejaculated. The surgical process for females is called tubal ligation, in which the fallopian tubes are closed off, blocking sperm from reaching the egg. As well, the fallopian tubes can be completely removed as a form of sterilization in females. This type of birth control is recommended for individuals who are positive they do not want to become pregnant at any time in the future.
Emergency Contraception
This method is used to prevent pregnancy when other forms of contraception are not used or fail to be effective during intercourse. The two different methods of emergency contraception are pills and insertion of an IUD as soon as possible. Pills, sometimes called “morning-after pills”, can be purchased in most drug stores without a prescription. Plan B is commonly sold as oral emergency contraception.
Choosing the Best Contraceptive Method for You
There are several factors that go into choosing the right contraception, including length of time, costs of each method, protection from STIs, side effects, the reliability of a method, and more. It is important to discuss these methods in detail with your doctor in order to make an informed decision for you and your partner.
Sources:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/stv5358#stv5358-sec
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/stt11357#stt11357-sec
Photo Credit: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition
