Don't think there is a good birth control for you?

Submitted by Kristi Dierolf, SBI Health Education Intern

That’s probably not true. There are numerous types of birth controls available to women. Before I get into what these methods are, it’s pretty important to note that contraceptives (birth control) methods do not prevent you from STIs! (Sexually transmitted infections), remember to still use a condom or another type of barrier method!

In case you don’t know, most contraceptive methods work by inhibiting ovulation (so, no egg is released!), thickening the cervical mucus, which makes it harder for the sperm to enter the uterus, and causes possible changes in the endometrial lining, which basically creates an unfavorable environment for pregnancy to occur!
The most common side effects for women taking hormonal contraceptives are breast tenderness, change in menstrual cycle, and possible weight changes. These side effects generally last up to 3 months, but vary depending on your method. Be sure to ask your provider for any side effects!

The most commonly known birth control is the pill, which comes in multiple varieties. Basically the pill works with your cycle, for the most part on a 28 day cycle. You’ll take 21 “active” pills, and then 7 “inactive” or placebo pills. You get your period the days you’re taking the inactive pills! There are different oral contraceptives like yaz and loestrin, which is 24 active pills, and 4 inactive, so you should have a shorter period with those. Now there is also seasonal/seasonique which are designed to give you your period only 4 times a year! Once every three months! Just remember, you want to take the pill at the same time everyday or it could lose its effectiveness!

Then we have the Nuvaring. The nuvaring is a slender and flexible vaginal ring that you insert manually. You insert the ring and leave it in place for 3 weeks, after the 3 weeks is up you take the ring out for one whole week, and during that time you should get your period. One of the greatest things about the ring, is you can’t feel it (And no, neither can your partner)! If you do feel it at all, it probably means you didn’t push it back far enough, so gently use your fingers to push it back, but don’t worry there is no chance of pushing it to far back or losing it, your cervix is going to prevent that from occurring.

Next, the Ortho-Evra patch. The patch is a thin beige square patch that you can wear anywhere besides your hands/feet and breasts. You put a new patch on once a week, for 3 straight weeks, on the 4th week, do not put another patch on, and that’s when you should get your period! Just a reminder, whenever you’re changing your patch, try not to put it in the same spot, just to avoid irritation! If you use the patch correctly, and avoid putting lotion by it, you don’t have to worry about the patch falling off.

The shot! The Depo-Provera shot is an injection that you get 4 times a year, given in either your upper arm, or buttock. Unlike the other birth controls I’ve mentioned, the shot does not regulate your period! It’s only protecting you from pregnancy. The shot is a good idea for women who don’t want to have to keep track of something every day (like the pill). However, since the shot is given only 4 times a year, your doctor may not prescribe you the shot unless you have previously used some other form of hormonal contraceptives, because you want to be sure you won’t have any serious side effects.

And finally, the IUD- the intra-uterine devices. The IUD is a plastic T shape device that gets inserted into the uterus by a physician. The IUD is the most effect form of contraceptive. There are currently two types, the Mirena, and the Paraguard. The Mirena can stay in place in your uterus for up to 5 years, and the paraguard for up to 12! Like I said, the device is inserted by a physician and removed by a physician, not ever by yourself! After the physician inserts the IUD you will come back a few months later just to make sure everything’s ok. There are some rare side effects to the IUD but I think they are important to note. There is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, very rarely the IUD can be pushed through the wall of the uterus. Pelvic infection can occur after the insertion (to avoid this, use a condom for about a month after insertion) and there is a possibility of scarring during insertion which can lead to sterility.

There is a lot more information for each form of birth control so if you have any questions please feel free to ask! Make sure to talk with your doctor to see what type of contraceptive method is best for you.