Choosing the Best Birth Control for You
Women’s contraceptive needs changes with their age and they spend at least 30 years of their lives trying not to get pregnant. But sometimes, they are not that successful in the sense that there are still many unplanned pregnancies which is largely due to incorrect or inconsistent use of contraceptives.
Presently, there are many variety of birth control options available and all a woman has to do is choose the one that is best suited for her and with the help of her obstetrician/gynecologist/ health care provider, use it correctly so as to produce the desired effect. The latest breakthrough in these contraceptives is the additional benefits like easing menstrual migraines, lightening or eliminating heavy periods, preventing some forms of cancer and even easing the transition to hormone replacement therapy for women nearing menopause.
The Improved Pills
The new improved oral contraceptive or the pill contains both estrogen and progestin and suppress ovulation like the older pill but with some add- on advantages. The pill is safe for most perimenopausal women and doctors encourage patients to try out different versions of the pill in order to find the one that’s right for them.
Women who have high blood pressure, history of blood clots or stroke, older than 35, smokes and those who are obese should not use birth control pills.
Skin Patch
This beige, approximately 2-inch sticky square can be attached to the upper arm, torso, stomach or buttocks. This skin patch releases estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream through the skin. Just like other hormonal inhibitors, the skin patch inhibits ovulation and buildup of the uterine lining.
The skin patch is easy to put on and take off and only needs to be replaced weekly. It does not come off even in the shower and when you sweat. Recent studies revealed that a 60 % higher dose of estrogen circulates in the blood when the skin patch is used as compared to taking the pill. This increases the risk of blood clots, stroke or heart attack.
The skin patch offers convenience especially those women who are not good in daily pill-taking but want to be protected from pregnancy and menstrual problems like cramps. Fertility returns quickly once a woman goes off the patch. This offers a good option for women who are in between pregnancies.
Single Rod Implant
This is a matchstick-sized plastic rod that is implanted under the skin of the upper arm which releases a steady dose of progestin into the bloodstream.
The rod is easy to implant but only doctors who have special training are allowed to do the procedure. Once the rod is in place, the protection will last for 2 to 3 years but it can be removed if the woman so desires. Some women who uses the rod have less painful periods, experience breakthrough bleeding while others skip periods altogether. These are normal effects of the rod implant.
The single rod implant is good for women who want long term, reversible birth control and the freedom of not having to remember taking a pill every single day. This is also good for women who are breastfeeding, those who can’t tolerate estrogen because they smoke, have high blood pressure or have s history of breast cancer.
The Vaginal Ring
The vaginal ring is a small, flexible, one-size-fits-all plastic ring releases estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream. The exact placement of the vaginal ring is not as important as the placement of the diaphragm. You only have to think of the ring twice a month; once to insert it into the vagina and then three weeks later to remove it so that you can have your menstrual period. You can also use the ring continuously, skipping the ring-free week, if you want to avoid getting your period but you still have to replace the ring with a new one each month for a new dose of hormones.
Using the vaginal ring exposes you to lesser estrogen than the pill or the skin patch and you are less likely to experience breast tenderness and nausea. The ring provides a steady release of hormones which results in a steady hormone level than using the Pill. Most of the women who uses the ring can’t feel it when it’s inserted (nor can their partners).
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
IUDs are highly effective, convenient, long-acting and reversible. IUDs cause changes in the uterus so that the sperms can’t reach the fallopian tubes where fertilization normally occurs. The insertion and removal of the intrauterine device takes only a few minutes.
For women who want birth control that they can forget about for five years or more and that is not permanent, the IUD is for you.