Are There Other Factors To Consider
Your chosen method of birth control is far from the only thing that can dampen your libido.
If youve noticed some decline in your usual libido, it could relate to any of the following factors:
- physical health concerns, including sleep problems, digestive issues, and diabetes
- mood or mental health symptoms, including depression and anxiety
Its also not uncommon to experience regular shifts in libido over the course of your menstrual cycle. In other words, you might notice your libido rises at certain times in the month and falls at other times.
Where Do You Get A Diaphragm
You need a prescription to get one, so see your doctor or other health care professional. A traditional diaphragm requires fitting the Caya, a newer type, is a one-size-fits-most .
Youâll have to replace it at least every 2 years or more often if your diaphragm gets damaged. You may need a different size if you get pregnant, have pelvic surgery, or gain or lose more than 15 pounds.
What Birth Control Is Best For Teenagers
IUDs and contraceptive implants can be used by all women of childbearing age, including teens. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that IUDs and the arm implant should be the first-line choice for young women who are sexually active.
If a parent of a teen is wondering what might be safe for his or her daughter to consider, the arm implant and the IUD can serve teens the best, Dr. Stanwood says. Thats because you set it and forget it. They are busy. This allows them to focus on academics.
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Who Is Phexxi Best For
Phexxi is great for those who are looking for contraceptive alternatives, dont desire hormones, and are possibly not sexually active consistently, Jessica Shepherd, MD, ob-gyn, CEO and founder of Sanctum Med Wellness, tells Health. Phexxi can be a good fit for women who arent interested in taking a daily pill or using a long-acting form of birth control like an implant, IUD, or ring, she says.
Phexxi may also be an important choice for women who cant use hormonal forms of birth control. Not every woman can use a hormonal birth control-women who are at risk for blood clots, hormone-driven cancers like certain forms of breast cancer and other gynecological cancers may be advised to use a non-hormonal method, Dr. Wider says.
For women who use lifestyle methods-like fertility awareness of the withdrawal or pull-out method-Phexxi may be a good addition to their routine, Julie Levitt, MD, an ob/gyn at The Womens Group of Northwestern, in Chicago, tells Health. At worst, its 86% effective, but it could be much better if women are watching their cycle, she says.
Theres also this to consider, Dr. Wider says: Non-hormonal methods would likely eliminate some unwanted side effects that women can experience on hormonal birth control like mood swings and weight gain. So if a woman is especially concerned about any of those things, she and her doctor may consider Phexxi.
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What Are The Benefits Of Nonhormonal Birth Control
Nonhormonal birth control can have fewer side effects than hormonal birth control. This may be an advantage to people with some health conditions or other sensitivities. Its safe for people who smoke, too.
Individual types of nonhormonal birth control have certain advantages, as well.
Condoms, for example, are the only contraception that can protect against STIs and theyre available over-the-counter at many stores. Copper IUDs can prevent against pregnancy for a decade. And birth control gel can be used discreetly in the moment, without active participation from a partner.
However, keep in mind that certain nonhormonal birth control methods can come with their own risks and side effects. For example, spermicide could increase the risk of a urinary tract infection , while a copper IUD can cause irregular and heavy bleeding. You may wish to discuss these risks with a doctor.
Ultimately, the benefits and risks of nonhormonal birth control depend on exactly what youre looking for and which type you choose to use.
Theres no birth control that is healthier than all others. The right birth control for you and your health will vary based on your:
For example, if you have sex with multiple partners or partners you dont know as well, the healthiest birth control method for you might be a condom because it can also protect against STIs.
If you have a blood clotting condition or youre a smoker, the healthiest birth control for you could be a nonhormonal one.
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Who Shouldnt Use It
Progestin-only contraception may not be appropriate for you if:
- You are at high risk for or have had breast cancer: While the research on this is not definitive, some studies have shown an association with progestin-only birth control and breast cancer.
- You have liver disease: Some evidence has shown that progestin can potentially damage the liver.
- You take anti-seizure medications: Some anti-seizure medications break down hormones in your body and may reduce the effectiveness of a progestin-only pill.
- You have had bariatric surgery: Bariatric surgery may affect the way your body absorbs these medications and may make them less effective.
- You have trouble remembering to take medications at the right time: While combination birth control pills dont have to be taken at the exact same time every day, the minipill does.
What Are The Different Types Of Birth Control
Women can choose from many different types of birth control methods. These include, in order of most effective to least effective at preventing pregnancy:
- Female and male sterilization Birth control that prevents pregnancy for the rest of your life through surgery or a medical procedure.
- Long-acting reversible contraceptives or LARC methods Birth control your doctor inserts one time and you do not have to remember to use birth control every day or month. LARCs last for 3 to 10 years, depending on the method.
- Short-acting hormonal methods Birth control your doctor prescribes that you remember to take every day or month. The shot requires you to get a shot from your doctor every 3 months.
- Barrier methods Birth control you use each time you have sex.
- Natural rhythm methods Not using a type of birth control but instead avoiding sex and/or using birth control only on the days when you are most fertile . An ovulation home test kit or a fertility monitor can help you find your most fertile days.
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How Effective Are The Different Methods
The list below shows how effective each of the 15 different methods are, and how often you need to use them or think about them .
The effectiveness of each method is worked out by calculating how many women get pregnant if 100 women use the method for a year.
For example, if a particular contraceptive method is 99% effective, 1 woman out of every 100 who uses it will get pregnant in a year.
Some methods listed below, such as the pill, include the phrase “if used correctly”.
This is because people who use these methods have to use them every time they have sex, or remember to take or apply them every day, week or month.
If the method is not used correctly, it will not be as effective.
Contraceptives that are more than 99% effective:
Contraceptives that are 99% effective if used according to teaching instructions:
- symptothermal method of natural family planning
Contraceptives that are 98% effective if used correctly:
Contraceptives that are 95% effective if used correctly:
Contraceptives that are 92 to 96% effective if used correctly:
- diaphragm or cap with spermicide
So Whats The Best Birth Control
It all depends on you. For starters, youll want to consider what your goals are, what your lifestyle is like, how often you have sex, your insurance coverage, what you and your partner are comfortable with, and what youre planning for the future.
Because everyone is different, the contraception that works best for your friends or family members may not be convenient or most effective for you. But regardless of the birth control method you end up choosing, use it as directed for the lowest chance of pregnancy.
Of course, youll want to talk to an OB-GYN provider, certified nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner to get personalized birth control advice. Your care provider can give you more details about each option, and theyll help you make a choice youll feel great about.
Taking time to make sure youve selected the best birth control option for you can give you more power over your choices. And thats well worth it for your health, your well-being, your peace of mind and your future.
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Things To Think About
The exact time of ovulation can vary from month to month, even in women with regular periods.
The natural family planning method also works best if an expert teaches you how to monitor your temperature and cervical mucus. Reading this article probably wont be enough to teach you how to do this accurately.
This method does not work if you are also taking hormones as the hormones will affect the signs you are looking for.
Which Birth Control Methods Do Not Contain Estrogen
So, what can women who are unable to use birth control containing estrogen use to prevent pregnancy? The good news is that there are a variety of other birth control methods available, both hormonal and nonhormonal.
- The most reliable forms of birth control without estrogen are the copper intrauterine device , the hormonal IUD, the implant, and sterilization for women or men.
- Nonhormonal methods include the copper IUD, condoms for men or women, cervical cap, and diaphragm.
- Three progestin-only hormonal methods are safe to use: the minipill, the birth control implant, or the hormonal IUD. However, the birth control shot is not recommended for women who have poorly controlled high blood pressure.
If you do have high blood pressure, exercise and dietary changes remain an important component of maintaining your heart health. Discuss with your doctor which birth control options might be best for you, so that you and your doctor can engage in shared decision-making about your preferences.
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How Often Youll Need To Use It
The implant, IUD, and sterilization are long-term, almost completely mistake-proof options. Once an IUD is inserted, youre set for anywhere from three to seven years to 10 years and the implant lasts three years. Sterilization, meanwhile, lasts for life.
All other types of contraception need to be taken or applied more frequently. The pill needs to be taken every day, whereas the patch needs to be changed weekly. Vaginal rings are swapped or removed and cleaned once a month , and injections are given every three months by a healthcare provider.
Barrier methods, such as condoms, are applied every time you have sex. And the rhythm method typically involves tracking your cycle daily by taking your temperature every morning, checking your cervical mucus, and/or charting your periods.
Adolescents And The Pill
Adolescents using COCs in the Danish study had a higher risk for being diagnosed with depression and prescribed an antidepressant than adults in the study .
Adolescents in the study Finnish study were more likely than people not using hormonal birth control to be prescribed an antidepressant for every COC formulation they studied .
A study of adolescents in the U.S. who were currently or had ever used the pill showed an increased risk for ever having experienced depression, but no increased risk for current depression . But when other factors such as age, smoking, BMI, family socioeconomic status, and whether the adolescents were sexually active were considered along with the use of birth control pills, there was no increased risk for depression .
A small study where adolescents were randomly assigned to use COCs containing ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel or placebo for three months showed no difference in depression scores between the two groups at the end of the study .
The key takeaway: The pill may increase the chance of being diagnosed with or treated for depression, but the specific pill formulation may make a difference. Overall, it appears as though COCs do not have a harmful effect on mood reported by users, but this may vary between individuals.
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Tubal Ligation & Tubal Occlusion
Female sterilization by tubal ligation is a permanent surgical procedure where the two fallopian tubes, which transport the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, get disconnected. Tubal ligation is considered permanent, because reversal is costly, difficult, and not guaranteed.
Female sterilization by tubal occlusion is a permanent procedure where a micro-insert is placed into each of the fallopian tubes. The micro-inserts work with your body to form a natural barrier that keeps sperm from reaching the eggs, preventing pregnancy.
What Are The 3 Hormonal Contraceptives
There are a number of forms of hormonal contraception, including the birth control pill, the vaginal ring, the contraceptive skin patch and hormone-releasing contraceptive coils.
What are the 4 types of hormonal contraceptives?
Hormonal methods include an implant, an intrauterine device , injections, pills, vaginal rings, and skin patches.
What birth control is best for hormonal imbalance?
Will any form of hormonal birth control work? Combination birth control whether in the form of a pill, ring, or patch is the most popular and recommended form of treatment for PCOS. If youre unable to take the combination pill or use other combination methods, your doctor may recommend the progestin-only pill.
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Is Getting An Iud Painful
Some women worry that IUD insertion is painful Dr. Stanwood says the experience varies for each woman. For most, its similar to a typical pelvic exam with a Pap test, but with a little more of a cramp, she says. For others, Im all done and they ask, Thats it? I didnt feel anything. Yet other women might feel more crampy. For most, its a procedure that takes about five minutes totalwith a few minutes of cramps that are worth it in exchange for many years of birth control.
IUD insertion is performed during a standard office visit. Some spotting is expected after and might last the rest of the day, Dr. Stanwood says. Women whove recently given birth have a particularly easy time with the experience, she notes. I like to let women who have recently delivered a baby know that they will have the least amount of discomfort in terms of insertion if they do it within a couple of months of having their baby, because the cervix tends to be open and the uterus isnt as bothered by it.
Dr. Stanwood jokes that, in general, it takes longer to talk to women about IUDs than it does to insert them.
Can You Use Iuds For Emergency Contraception
Yes, both copper-containing IUDs and progestin-containing IUDs can be used as a form of emergency contraception when used within 120 hours of having unprotected sex. This is the most effective form of emergency contraception. The benefit of using IUDs for emergency contraception is that youre seeking a method of birth control and youre preventing future unwanted pregnancies.
Progestin-containing IUDs work by causing your cervical mucus to become thicker so sperm cant reach an egg. The hormone also thins the lining of your uterus, so menstrual bleeding becomes lighter. The copper-containing IUD works by stopping the sperm from reaching the egg.
How is it available?
A healthcare provider prescribes and inserts IUDs.
How effective is it?
IUDs can be close to 100% effective at preventing pregnancy when inserted within five days of having unprotected sex.
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Natural Alternatives To Birth Control Pills
So whats a girl to do? After all, we grew up accustomed to the pill being The Solution to our sexual freedom and family planning.
To good news is: Hormone-free birth control methods do exist. They use these to determine their fertile windows during their menstrual cycle and then use condoms for contraception during those days.
If you want to learn more about this, it is well worth reading a book like Taking Charge of Your Fertility.
Once you are familiar with the menstrual cycle and signs of fertility, you can consider different methods of fertility tracking, which include:
Birth Control Sponge Risks
Disadvantages of the birth control sponge include:
- It may be hard to remove.
- You can still get an STD.
- Some women have a burning feeling or an allergic reaction.
- Spermicide can irritate your genitals, raising your risk of HIV.
- Leaving a sponge in place for too long could lead to toxic shock syndrome .
Pick a different birth control method if youâre on your period or if you recently gave birth, had a miscarriage, or had an abortion. You also shouldnât use the sponge if you get a lot of urinary tract infections or have had TSS before.
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Birth Control Option #: Oral Contraceptives
The birth control pill is the most commonly used form of contraception in the United States. There are different types of contraceptive pills and they differ based on the amount of the hormones estrogen and progestin are in them. The combination birth control pill contains both estrogen and progestin whereas the mini pill contains only progestin. As you take either of these pills, your levels of estrogen and/or progestin increase in your body. High levels of these hormones prevent the ovary from releasing an egg.
The birth control pill is used to treat a number of conditions including PCOS, endometriosis, irregular periods, menstrual cramps and conditions that are caused by low levels of estrogen. As the pill prevents the ovary from releasing an egg, the pill can help reduce the development of cysts associated with PCOS. The hormones released by the pill also make the lining of the uterus thinner, which results in lighter periods. This is why the pill is also used as a treatment for endometriosis.