Let’s be honest, shall we? No one wants to take birth control pills or use any type of contraceptive, but the majority of men and women realize that birth control methods are absolutely necessary as a means of preserving their way of life and as a protective method that prevents the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Most often, men and women complain about the hassle of taking birth control pills, the limited sensations experienced with condom use, and unwanted mood swings that come with some hormonal birth control methods. But as responsible individuals, the need for contraceptives cannot be exaggerated—more protection is better and abstinence, if done properly, is one’s safest path.
Women and men need to be familiar with all birth control methods. A familiarity with different birth control methods helps people make decisions based on health concerns, birth control effectiveness, and contraceptive convenience. VibeReview has created a brief birth control information guide that will help you find the right contraceptives for you. People automatically assume that birth control pills and condoms are the only reliable birth control methods; however, other viable birth control methods are now available. This guide will introduce you to the latest birth control methods, while shedding some light on the positive and negative aspects of particular birth control methods.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are among the most popular and effective birth control methods available to women. They do not protect against STDs, but the simple act of taking a daily pill is a convenient and easy method of preventing pregnancy. Birth control pills prevent ovulation (the release of an egg by ovaries), and also help thicken cervical mucus, which lessens the chance of fertilization. These pills are generally made of two important hormones—estrogen and progesterone. Pills with both hormones are usually referred to as “combination” pills, while the “mini” pill only contains progestin.
When a woman ingests a birth control pill, she introduces her body to synthetic hormones that are naturally produced by her body. Increased hormonal activity helps prevent ovulation, but this increase can also cause undesirable side effects: depression, spotting, headaches, breast tenderness, decreased libido, and mood changes. If you ever experience any of these side effects, ask your healthcare practitioner to recommend a pill with fewer hormones that is more suited to your body’s unique chemistry. In the end, avoiding all of these side effects is virtually impossible. After all, the birth control pill works by increasing hormone levels in your body that impact sexual reproduction. Important note: Women who smoke and are over the age of thirty-five are more susceptible to blood clots while using birth control pills. If you smoke and are thirty-five or older, consult with your physician for a different birth control method.
Combination Pill
The combination pill (estrogen and progesterone synthetic hormones) is an oral contraceptive that is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy if taken every day at the same time. Many consider the combination pill the most effective birth control method available to women. However, this 99 percent effectiveness often drops to 95 percent effectiveness when women fail to take the pill every day at the same time. Women protect themselves best by taking all birth control pills every day at the same time, so this is not only an issue with the combination pill is—it applies to the mini pill, as well.
The combination pill suppresses ovulation effectively. Each package of combination pills lasts for a twenty-eight day cycle. For twenty-one days of the cycle, women take one pill a day. After twenty-one days, women swallow one “dummy” pill a day for seven days. These dummy pills do not contain any hormones. Why take the dummy pills if they don’t contain hormones? Two reasons: Women’s hormone levels drop while taking dummy pills, causing women to have their period, and the dummy pills help women maintain their routine of taking pills every day at the same time. Remaining on the same routine is critical, so dummy pills help women continue the routine without interruption.
