By Connie Masak, APNP
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vigating birth control options and finding what is right for you and your partner can be a confusing, even overwhelming process. You’ve read all the articles about risks, benefits and side effects, but how do you know what is right for you? I like to ask patients these simple questions to learn more about their needs and priorities.
– Do you think that you would like to have children/more children at some point?
– When do you think that might be? What is your timeline?
– How important is pregnancy prevention until then?
With these answers in mind, we can explore the many birth control options. Keep in mind that birth control can require trial and error. You can always try a different method once you see how your body reacts.
If pregnancy prevention is of utmost importance, consider the following options:
| Abstinence | 100% effective |
| Sterilization/Vasectomy | 99% effective – less than 1/100 pregnancies |
| IUD hormonal/non-hormonal | 99% effective – less than 1/100 pregnancies |
| Implant (arm) | 99% effective – less than 1/100 pregnancies |
| Depo injection | 94% effective – 6/100 pregnancies |
| Hormone (pill, patch, ring) | 91% effective – 6-9/100 pregnancies |
| Morning-after pill | 89% effective if taken in a timely manner |
| Condom male/female | 71% effective |
| Spermicide/film/suppository | 71% effective |
| Sponge | 76-88% effective |
| Fertility Awareness | 76-88% effective |
| Withdrawal | 12-24/100 pregnancies |
If you need something easy to use, no hassle, or if you are just worried that you will forget from day to day, these are the options you should consider:
| IUD | No maintenance required and lasts 5-10 years |
| Implant | No maintenance required and lasts 3 years |
| Abstinence | No maintenance required |
| Withdrawal | Low effectiveness but no maintenance required |
| Sterilization | No maintenance – this is a permanent option and not meant for anyone who plans to have children in the future |
Many women suffer from cramping and pain during periods and look to birth control to help relieve some of those symptoms. The following options can be used both for birth control and period management:
| Hormone (pill, patch, ring) | Shorter, lighter periods, less cramping |
| IUD (5 year only) | Can make periods go away or light, occasional spotting |
| Implant (arm) | 50% of women have no period or irregular spotting |
| Depo injection | Can make periods go away |
If you need an immediate form of birth control, the following options are readily available at the pharmacy without a visit to your provider:
| Condoms, spermicides, film, suppositories | Must be used before intercourse |
| Sponge | Must be used before intercourse |
| Morning-after pill | Must be used in a timely manner after intercourse |
The following options require a visit to your provider:
| Implant (arm) | Must be inserted by your provider |
| IUD (hormonal and non-hormonal) | Must be inserted by your provider |
| Depo injection | Must be inserted by your provider |
| Ring | Must be inserted by your provider |
| Patch | Must be prescribed by your provider |
| Pill | Must be prescribed by your provider |
| Sterilization | This is an out-patient surgery done at the hospital |
| Vasectomy | This is an in-office surgery |
The following options are non-hormonal. If you are worried about the side-effects of hormonal birth control, you should consider these options:
| Condom | Available at the pharmacy |
| Sterilization | This is an out-patient surgery done at the hospital |
| Copper IUD | Must be inserted by your provider |
| Sponge | Available at the pharmacy |
| Spermicide | Available at the pharmacy |
| Fertility Awareness | This requires tracking cycles and there are apps that can assist with this |
Before choosing the option you feel is best for you, talk with your partner so that you are both on the same page and make that decision together.
You can discuss any of these methods with your provider, as well as choosing the best choice based on your history. We recommend that you visit a Women’s Health Specialists provider on a yearly basis. We might not do a pap, but we can listen to any concerns that you might have. Come ready with questions, that’s what we are here for!
To make an appointment, please call (920) 749-4000.