There are many, many birth control types vying for your contraceptive dollar. As you can probably guess, each birth control type has its own strengths and weaknesses, making for a potentially difficult time making a decision. Furthermore, different types of birth control have different effectiveness rates, different side effects, and interact differently with any other medication you may be taking. It is highly recommended you consult your doctor before making a final decision. But it’s a decision that must be made, since the pregnancy rate of couples who don’t use any type of birth control is an astonishing 85%! Types of birth control include:
The Combined Pill
This is “the pill” most people know and love. It is so named because it combines two kinds of hormones into one pill: estrogen and progestin. Estrogen prevents ovulation, making fertilization impossible while progestin thickens cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to make their way to the egg. Put together in a single pill makes a very effective birth control system, with effectiveness rates well above 99% if used correctly.
The Mini Pill
The mini pill is a progestin-only birth control pill. It does not stop ovulation since it contains no estrogen, but it does thicken cervical mucus and can be very effective (99%+) if used correctly and consistently. The mini pill’s main advantage over the combined pill is that the lack of estrogen reduces the potential for adverse side effects.
Barrier Methods (Condoms, the diaphragm, etc)
Barrier methods of birth control such as condoms and the diaphragm are very common and have the advantage of being 100% hormone-free. As such, there are few if any side effects to these types of birth control if used properly. The downside, of course, is that they aren’t nearly as effective as hormone-based birth control types, namely due to increased incidence of user error. Condoms and diaphragms have a typical effectiveness rate of approximately 84%, which is significantly lower than the hormonal options above.
To learn more about the different kinds of birth control options, visit bestbirthcontroloptions.com where you’ll find this and much more, including teenage pregnancy statistics.
