Birth Control

It’s important for sexually active people to be aware of the different types of contraception available. Contraception has 2 primary roles. It prevents unwanted pregnancies and, with certain types, limits the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Some people – for instance, those in monogamous (one partner) relationships – might use contraception simply as a means of birth control, while individuals who have more than one sexual partner will also be concerned about getting an STI. Since not all types of contraception prevent STIs, and some forms of birth control are more reliable than others, you need to evaluate which method is best for you and your partner.

Different Types of Contraception

Contraception falls into four main categories, each with its own advantages:

• barrier methods
• hormonal methods
• natural birth control
• sterilization

The different types of barrier methods include male condoms, female condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps. Male condoms are made from latex rubber, polyurethane, polyisoprene, or natural products like lambskin. They are unrolled onto an erect penis before having sex. This prevents sperm from reaching the female reproductive tract, and also stops microorganisms from passing from one person to the other (this is true for synthetic materials). If you are allergic to latex, condoms made of other materials can provide an alternative option.

Female condoms line the vagina and are inserted before intercourse. They are thin, soft pouches made of polyurethane plastic or nitrile (they can be used by people allergic to latex) with flexible rings at either end. One ring is used to insert the condom, and the other remains outside, covering external genitalia. Female condoms offer greater protection, put control of contraception into women’s hands, and avoid the loss of sensation many men feel when wearing male condoms. It takes a bit of practice, however, to learn how to insert the female condom comfortably and correctly. Female condoms are larger than male condoms and are usually more expensive.

Diaphragms and cervical caps do not protect against STIs, including HIV. The diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped latex cup, while cervical caps are smaller and thimble-shaped. They fit over the cervix in the vagina, blocking the opening to the uterus. These methods should always be used along with a spermicide (see below). Diaphragms need to be individually fitted, and cervical caps come in 3 different sizes. Pregnancy, previous vaginal delivery, change in weight, and abdominal surgery can all require you to need a different size in diaphragm or cervical cap.

Contraceptive sponges contain spermicide. A sponge is placed at the cervix where the spermicide kills any sperm attempting to enter. The sponge provides 24-hour protection. Some women find it difficult to remove the sponge and some may be allergic to the spermicide. Leaving the contraceptive sponge in for too long can increase the risk of vaginal irritation and infections. When used correctly, there is a roughly 10% risk of pregnancy each year for women who haven’t given birth before and a 20% risk for those who have given birth.

Spermicides are chemicals that inactivate or kill sperm. They’re available as gels, dissolvable films, and foams. Some condoms are spermicide-coated for extra protection.

Hormonal methods of contraception rely on the use of progestin, most often in combination with estrogen. These female hormones regulate the reproductive cycle, including menstrual periods and ovulation.

Combined estrogen-progestin* contraceptives are available as oral pills. The packages are designed so that you take your pill once a day, or on a monthly basis for 21 out of 28 days according to directions. After taking the pills for 21 days, you will get your period during the 4th week. After that, a new pack of pills is started to begin a new cycle. Some formulations have a shortened, pill-free interval of 4 days instead of 7 days.

• suppressing ovulation
• thickening the cervical mucus, preventing sperm from getting through
• changing the lining of the uterus, making implantation of a fertilized egg less likely
• reducing sperm access to the fallopian tubes, where eggs are fertilized

It’s important that the pills be taken daily, in the correct order, and on time. The chances of pregnancy increase if one or more pills are missed. In these situations, using additional, back-up contraception such as a barrier method is a good idea.

Combined hormone contraceptives are also available as a patch and as a ring inserted into the vagina. For the patch, one patch is worn on the skin each week for 3 weeks. The fourth week is when you will get your period. Then, the cycle starts again. The vaginal ring is worn inside the vagina for 3 weeks, then removed to allow for a 1-week ring-free interval, during which you will get your period. After this, a new ring is inserted into the vagina.

Progestin-only contraceptives are better suited to some women who shouldn’t be taking estrogens, including breast-feeding mothers, women over the age of 35, women who smoke, and women with uncontrolled high blood pressure. If women get migraine headaches (with neurological changes) or have diabetes, sickle cell anemia, or cardiovascular diseases, progestin-only contraceptives are preferred over the combined hormones.

Progestin-only contraceptives are better suited to some women who shouldn’t be taking estrogens, including breast-feeding mothers (within 6 weeks after giving birth), women over the age of 35, women who smoke, and women with uncontrolled high blood pressure. If women get migraine headaches (with neurological changes) or have diabetes, liver problems, breast cancer, sickle cell anemia, or cardiovascular diseases, progestin-only contraceptives are preferred over the combined hormones.

The progestin-only contraceptives work in a similar manner to estrogen-progestin combinations. They can also be taken as daily pills, injections (every 3 months), arm implants (every 3 years), or intrauterine devices (IUDs).

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped device that can be fitted into a woman’s uterus by her doctor. IUDs release either progestin or copper. Progestin-releasing IUDs work in the same way as other progestin-only contraceptives, and are effective for up to 5 years after which time they must be replaced. These IUDs are the most effective form of reversible contraception and have the added benefit of reduced menstrual flow. The copper-releasing IUD is effective for up to 10 years. Copper affects the lining of the uterus so as to prevent implantation; it also changes the chemistry in the uterus and kills sperm.

Natural birth control methods don’t use any spermicides, pills, injections, or other devices. One technique – known as coitus interruptus – requires a man to withdraw his penis completely from the vagina before ejaculation. This is an unreliable method of birth control, since some sperm can be released before ejaculation, and a man must have very good self-control and timing. Approximately 1 out of 5 couples using only this method have an unplanned pregnancy.

Rhythm methods require a woman to abstain from having sex during the most fertile part of the menstrual cycle. A woman can identify when she’s ovulating using 1 of 5 techniques: the calendar rhythm, temperature, mucus, symptothermal, and breast-feeding methods. The calendar rhythm method is the least accurate of the 5. The other methods, respectively, depend on measurements of body temperature (which slightly falls before and rises after an egg is released), looking for larger amounts of watery mucus observed before ovulation, or until their exclusively breast-fed baby reaches 6 months of age. Approximately 1 out of 5 women using only the rhythm method of birth control will have an unplanned pregnancy within the first year. Pregnancy risk is further diminished when other monitoring signs are added to the rhythm method.

Sterilization is an option for women and men. For women, this involves tubal ligation, a procedure in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are cut and tied, or blocked. This cuts off the sperm’s access to the egg, preventing fertilization. For a man, a vasectomy involves cutting the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis. Both methods of sterilization are considered permanent and irreversible, although a very small percentage of men who have had vasectomy reversal may become fertile again.