Female Contraceptives

Of course when we talk about sex, we should also be talking about safe sex practices and female contraceptives. Don't worry guys, November is all about men's health and we will be focusing on this topic for you as well- but today let's talk about options for the women out there.

Another word for contraceptives, and one more people probably know is birth control, which by definition is any method used to prevent pregnancies. There are a variety of forms both with their pros and cons and today we will be exploring all of these!

Let's get started:
Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC):
LARCs are becoming more and more popular, and are also known as IUDs. Long acting implies that it will prevent pregnancies for an extended period of time and reversible means what it means, you can reverse it! IUDs for example can be inserted for 5 years by a doctor and then removed whenever you are ready to try for kids.

• There are two main types of IUDs: copper and hormonal. Copper IUDs can last up to 12 years and hormonal range from 3-7 years.
• Currently there are 5 brands of IUDs: Paragard (copper), Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla. 
• Hormonal IUDs use the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancies. Progestin is very similar to the hormone progesterone tat our bodies produces naturally.
• IUDs work by changing the way sperm cells move, so they can't get to the egg. With copper IUDs, sperm actually doesn't like copper so it will make it impossible for sperm to get to the egg. Hormone IUDs will first thicken the mucus that lives on the cervix, blocking and trapping the sperm & the hormone will sometimes stop the egg from leaving your ovaries, which means there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize. 
• Did you know that if you put an IUD approximately 5 days after having unprotected sex it can still prevent a pregnancy by 99.9%? It works as an emergency contraceptive, however it is quite costly. 

Most people know and have heard of the hormonal contraceptives including the pill, shots, patches, and the vagina ring.

Birth control shot:
This is a shot you get every 3 months. It contains the hormone progestin, which prevents pregnancies by preventing ovulation.

• It is considered to be 94% effective at preventing pregnancies
• It is required to be done every 12-13 weeks (about 3 months) or 4 times a year. 
• A doctor or nurse most of the time has to give you the shot, so you need to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. However, there are some that are available for home use. 
• If you get your shot within the first 7 days after the start of your period, you are protected from pregnancy right away. If you get it any other time of your cycle, you will need to use another form of birth control for the first week after getting the shot. 

Vaginal Ring:

Also known as the NuvaRing, where you wear a small, flexible ring inside your vagina, and it prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones into your body. It contains both estrogen and progestin.

• You do need to replace the ring yourself on time at home in order for it to be effective. Replacements are every 3-6 weeks depending on your schedule. You can choose to get your period every month or skip. 
• Make sure you have your replacement rings on hand. If you have rings that won't be used for longer than 4 months, store them in the fridge. 
• The ring is considered 91% effective 

Birth control patch:

The patch can be worn on your stomach, upper arm, butt or back. It contains both the hormones estrogen and progestin.

• You put on a new patch about every week for 3 weeks, so make sure you change it on time to be the most effective
• Considered to be one of the more cost effective hormonal birth controls
• It is considered to be 91% effective 

Birth control pill:

The most common hormonal birth control method. 1 pill is taken every day, with packs usually having sugar pills on the days you don't take the hormone. 

• Considered to be 91% effective 
• Should be taken every day at the same time to be the most effective.
• The most cost effective form of hormonal birth control
• Lots of people go on the pill to help regulate their period, so it can make your period easier to have! 

Barrier methods include female condoms, sponges, and diaphragms. Overall, they're not AS effective as birth control or IUDs but are a more accessible option.  Barrier methods do require you to use them EVERY TIME you have sex.

Female condoms:
Also known as internal condoms. These condoms go inside your vagina for protection against STDs and pregnancies. They are a soft pouch that provide a barrier that stops the sperm from reaching the egg.

• They are considered to be 79% effective
• Cost is generally around 2-3 dollars per condom
• Must be put on before sex and not reused. 

Diaphragm:

This is a shallow, bendable cup that you put inside your vagina and covers your cervix during sex. For a diaphragm to work best, spermicide is recommended to be used as well. Spermicide has chemicals that stop the sperm from moving 

• Considered 88% effective
• Costs around $75
• To be worn before sex
• You can wear your diaphragm up to 2 hours before sex for it to still be considered effective
• Leave it in place for at least 6 hours after the last time you had sex but don't leave it in longer than 24 hours
• If you decide to have sex more than once in a day, you can use it again, but put a new dose of spermicide in. 
• It can be reused and washed with soap and warm water.

Cervical caps:

These are similar to diaphragms and also require you to use spermicide to be the most effective. The difference between the two is their shape: cervical caps are a little smaller and look like a sailors hat. They both work to cover your cervix to prevent pregnancies. You can leave the cervical cap in longer than a diaphragm (2 days). 

• Keep it in place 6 hours after having sex but no longer than 2 days
• As with the diaphragm you can reuse it, washing it with soap and warm water. 
• Considered to be 71-86% effective
• Costs approx. $90

Other forms of birth control are:

• Fertility Awareness: 76-88% effectiveness
• Withdrawal (pull out method): 78%
• Breastfeeding: 98% effectiveness 
• Outercourse and Abstinence: 100% effectiveness

Not sure which one might be the most effective form you? Take a quiz and find out HERE!

Sources:
Health Link BC
Planned Parenthood
Womens Health Gov.