How To Use Phexxi
Phexxi can be used on its own or in tandem with other forms of birth control, including condoms, diaphragms, spermicide, intrauterine devices , and the Pill. However, Phexxi should not be used with vaginal rings like the NuvaRing, according to the FDA.
Phexxi’s ingredients are non-toxic and commonly found in food products. Lactic and citric acids are natural preservatives, and potassium bitartrate is better known as cream of tartar used in baking. That means it is safe to engage in mouth-to-vulva oral sex while using Phexxi. But be warned, Phexxi is acidic and has a very tart taste.
How Well Do They Work
How well a diaphragm prevents pregnancy depends a lot on whether you use it correctly. Six out of 100 women will get pregnant with the diaphragm if they use it perfectly every time. Most people make mistakes sometimes, so the typical rate is more like 12 to 18 out of 100. Thatâs more effective than condoms or other barrier methods, but less effective than sterilization, intrauterine devices , or birth control pills.
There are some risks that come with a diaphragm. The most serious one is toxic shock syndrome, a condition you get from a bacterial infection. You can avoid it by not leaving a diaphragm in for more than 24 hours. The device also can cause irritation or a reaction if youâre allergic to latex. And some women get urinary tract infections more often when they use a diaphragm.
How Effective Is Phexxi Compared To Other Contraceptives
According to data cited by the FDA, Phexxi is about 86% percent effective with typical use. . Planned Parenthood says this means about 14 in 100 women who use Phexxi will become pregnant.
That’s much less effective than the implant, an IUD, or male or female sterilization, which has about a 99% effectiveness. Even with typical use, the patch, the ring, the shot, and the Pillwhich range from 91% to 94% effectiveare all also more effective than Phexxi.
Instead, the vaginal gel is more on par with other non-hormonal methods like male and female condoms, diaphragms, spermicides, and the sponge, for preventing pregnancy. Worth noting: The CDC calls these methods “less effective” than their counterparts.
Planned Parenthood also says you can use Phexxi with plastic or latex condoms for extra protection against pregnancy as well as STDs. Phexxi can also be used with a diaphragm as well as some forms of hormonal contraceptives, like the patch, Pill, or shot.
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Types Of Nonhormonal Birth Control
Your chances of getting pregnant in a given year vary widely depending on the birth control method, from less than 1 in 100 for copper T IUDs to more than 1 in 4 for spermicides.
Barrier methods
- What is it? A saucer-shaped silicone cup that you put into your to block from entering your womb. You must be fitted for a diaphragm at first by your doctor.
- How well does it work? If you use the diaphragm correctly and add spermicide, you have a 6% chance of getting pregnant after a yearâs use. But the odds double if you donât always use it or donât use it exactly right, the way a typical person does.
- Pros and cons. You can carry your diaphragm and put it in just before you have sex. Itâs reusable for 12 months. If you decide you want to start a family, stop using it. A diaphragm wonât protect you from STDs. You have to leave it in for at least 8 hours after sex. You also may be more likely to get vaginal or urinary tract infections. Learn about the best ways to prevent a UTI.
Cervical cap
Sponge
Copper IUD
Spermicide
Vaginal gel
Male condom
Female condom
Surgical methods
Sterilization
Behavioral methods
Outercourse and the pull-out method
Natural family planning
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How Effective Is The Pill
The pill has the potential to be 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if you take it without fail meaning you dont forget to take the pill for even a day or two. However, taking the pill perfectly can be difficult, which is why nine out of 100 women who use the pill will have an unintended pregnancy every year. The pill is most reliable when you take it consistently at the same time each day. Being consistent helps keep hormone levels from fluctuating.
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Increased Protection Against Stis
Condoms protect against unintended pregnancy, but theyre also the only form of birth control that protects against sexually transmitted infections and diseases . In fact, many people choose to use condoms as a backup method of birth control even if they use other methods too.
Dr. Ostrom and our team believe that every womans health needs are unique, and were dedicated to helping you enjoy your best health. Whether your body doesn’t tolerate hormonal contraception or youre simply looking for a more natural option, non-hormonal birth control might be right for you.
Schedule a birth control consultation with Dr. Ostrom to learn more. Call our office at 907-435-0555 or request an appointment online now.
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What Are The Benefits Of Phexxi
Like spermicide, Phexxi is non-hormonal birth control. So if you prefer non-hormonal birth control, or cant use methods with hormones because of medical problems, Phexxi may be a good option for you.
Unlike spermicide, Phexxi doesnt have nonoxynol-9 in it. So Phexxi doesnt increase your risk of STDs like spermicide can.
You only need to use Phexxi when you have sex. So you dont need to worry about using birth control or dealing with side effects when youre not having sex.
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Understanding The Different Types Of Birth Control Can Help You Choose The Best One For You
Erika Zar, 45, tried many different kinds of birth control before she settled on her current one. Most of them seemed to amplify my mood shifts, she said. The birth control pills that she tried lowered her sex drive and made her depression worse, and the vaginal ring made her so ragey that she only lasted seven days with it.
After two emergency surgeries to treat her endometriosis, Zar was prescribed a hormonal intrauterine device to help control the disease and shes still using one over a decade later. After years of trial and error, shes happy to have found a form of birth control that meets her unique needs.
With so many birth control options available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Some women prefer non-hormonal birth control because they worry about side effects from hormonal options, or they have health conditions that make hormones unsafe. Others might like the convenience of hormonal birth control or have health conditions, such as endometriosis or painful cramps, that are improved by it.
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There Is No Best Birth Control
Verma says that healthcare providers have changed the way they talk to their patients about choosing birth control. “When the long-acting reversible contraceptive methods came out, there was a lot of excitement about them and a lot of pushing of these methods,” she said.
But these days, Verma and her colleagues have largely shifted their approach toward talking to women about all their birth control options , and then helping them decide which one best fits their lifestyle.
What works for some might not work for others, Verma said. “No one can tell you what’s doable for you.”
This resource was created with support from Evofem Biosciences.
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Whats The Best Birth Control
The best birth control is the one that most effectively prevents pregnancy and fits with your lifestyle. Generally, a male condom plus another form of birth control is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy.
What’s “best” among birth control methods differs from person to person. What’s right for you may not be right for everyone. And your needs may change over time.
Hereâs what to think about when choosing a kind of birth control:
- How fail-proof do you need your protection plan to be?
- How much does the cost matter?
- How important is your privacy?
- Do you have a regular partner whose needs you care about?
- Do you need to protect against sexually transmitted diseases ?
- How much effort do you want to make to prevent a pregnancy?
- If you’re a woman, does it matter if your period is affected?
- Will you someday want to have a child?
Alternatives To The Traditional Pill
For many people, remembering to take a birth control pill once a day isnt realistic. For others, the estrogen in traditional birth control pills can cause side effects such as insomnia and anxiety, which theyd rather avoid.
The FDA has approved a number of alternative birth control options in the past 20 years, including the vaginal ring, progestin-only birth control pill, and the patch. There are options you can use internally or externally, depending on what you like best.
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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.
Not All Fabms Are Equally Effective
Methods like the Rhythm method or Standard Days method assume that the menstrual period always follows a certain number of days and ovulation happens on the same day of each cycle . A person trying to avoid pregnancy is instructed to avoid sex or use another birth control method on the days around their ovulation . These methods work best for people with cycles that are predictable and last 26-32 days .
Not all people with periods have 28-day cycles and ovulation may not happen on day 14 each month . Cycles vary for a number of reasons . If a method does not account for the uniqueness of a personâs cycle, predicting ovulation can be less accurate, which makes the chance of pregnancy more likely. Making a method a routine and always using it correctly may take time. Getting experience through practice or training may help .
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Can You Make Contraception Part Of Your Daily Routine
If youre a well-organised person with a reasonably regular routine, you have a wide choice of contraception.
This is because youre less likely to forget about your contraception by forgetting to take a pill or reapply a patch, for example.
You may want to use a method that you only need to use when you have sex, such as the male or female condom, or you may prefer a method that you need to take every day, such as the pill.
Or you may want to consider methods like the patch, injection or implant, which you do not need to use every day or each time you have sex.
The list below shows how often you need to use, replace or take each contraceptive method.
Once you have looked at the list, ask your GP or a doctor or nurse at your local clinic for more details.
Methods used each time you have sex:
Methods taken on a daily basis:
- the pill , but there are some types of 21-day pill where you have a week off each month
Methods replaced every week:
Non Hormonal Birth Control
People use non-hormonal birth control methods when they dont want to get pregnant and continue having a healthy sex life. Non-hormonal birth control methods do not have any potential risks or side-effects.
It is best to consider using non-hormonal birth control options if:
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Male And Female Condom
Brand Name: Trojan, Durex®, LifeStyles®, FC2 Female Condom, and more.
Effectiveness: Moderate. With perfect use, 2 out of 100 people using male condoms will become pregnant. With typical use, 18 in 100 people using male condoms will become pregnant.
What is it?
Latex condoms should only be used with water-based lubricant such as K-Y® Jelly. Oil-based lubricant, such as Vaseline, will break down the latex and make the condom less effective. Since female condoms are made with polyurethane, they can be used with both water- and oil-based lubricants.
How does it work?
Pros
Find The Best Birth Control For You
Thanks for checking out our list of types of birth control without estrogen! Weve only touched on some of the methods available and how they work, so if youre serious about switching birth control, its always worth discussing your options in full with your doctor. In the meantime, why not find out if Natural Cycles could be an option for you?
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How Should I Choose Birth Control
Choosing between a hormonal and nonhormonal birth control option depends on your persona preferences, unique health considerations, and lifestyle.
Some patients prefer nonhormonal birth control because they want to avoid side effects that can be associated with hormonal options. Perhaps youve tried hormonal birth control in the past and are now looking for something that will be equally effective without the side effects you experienced.
Your lifestyle may also influence your decision. For example, if you have multiple sexual partners, you should use a barrier method to prevent STDs. Or, if you are very busy, you may prefer a lower-maintenance option, such as an implant or birth control shot.
Ultimately, choosing a birth control method is up to you and the recommendation of your OBGYN. Its important to choose a qualified and knowledgeable gynecologist who you can trust when determining your birth control plan.
Whats The Difference Between Hormonal And Nonhormonal Birth Control
As research and technology advances, there are more and more birth control options available. These options can be sorted into two basic categories: hormonal and nonhormonal. Here, we explain the basic differences between these two options and how you can choose the best birth control method for you.
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Would You Prefer Contraception You Do Not Have To Remember Every Day
Not all contraceptives have to be taken every day or each time you have sex.
You do not have to think about some contraceptives for months or years.
These methods need to be inserted by a health professional into your uterus or arm :
Other contraceptives used or inserted just before sex are:
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Diaphragm And Cervical Cap
Unintended pregnancy in one year of use: 17% typical use, 16% perfect use .
Diaphragms and cervical caps are barrier methods that are both placed over the cervix and used with spermicide . Cervical caps are smaller than diaphragms and fit tightly around the cervix . Diaphragms stay in place by sitting behind the pubic bone . Diaphragms and cervical caps do not protect against STIs . Both are available in the USA with a prescription.
There is also a one-size-fits-all diaphragm, Caya . A healthcare provider may have you insert Caya during the visit and then perform a pelvic exam to make sure that it was placed in the right position . Water-based spermicide should also be used with Caya .
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More Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with the non-hormonal barrier method of birth control, like with the condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap although allergies can rarely occur, especially if latex is present. Toxic shock syndrome may rarely occur with the contraceptive sponge.
Serious side effects with the copper IUD may include: pelvic inflammatory disease , uterine perforation, embedment in wall of uterus, life-threatening infection, endometritis , ectopic pregnancy, and IUD expulsion.
Other warnings and side effects may occur with the use of non-hormonal birth control. It is important to review the specific consumer information for your birth control choice. Discuss these serious side effects with your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin and herbal supplements.