Date: 03 Jun 2024
When it comes to choosing the right contraception for you, the variety of options in the market can leave you overwhelmed and unsure of the choice you need to make. The choice of contraception is a deeply personal matter and choosing the right contraception should be empowering, not confusing since it means that you take your sexual wellbeing and overall health with seriousness that requires an accolade. There are different types of contraception and your choice should depend purely on your preference, lifestyle, and health considerations. Lucky for you, I am here and ready to open you to the world of contraception, its differences, effectiveness, and how they can help you. Stick with me.
Condoms
This is the most famous and widely used type of contraception. It is the most preferred since it not only protects you and your partner from unplanned pregnancy but also protects you from STIs. Condoms achieve this by acting as a barrier, preventing sperm from getting inside the vagina and also reducing transmission of body fluids that can lead to STIs. Condoms are widely available and you do not need a prescription to buy one. Apart from being available, they are also quite effective when used well (they have a 98% of preventing pregnancy). Condoms are easy to use and unlike most contraception, they provide you with dual protection. This means that while one can be on another type of contraception, a condom can still be useful especially when getting intimate with a new or multiple partners.
Diaphragm
Diaphragm is a non-hormonal contraception that is inserted into the vagina, acting as a barrier. However, unlike a condom, a diaphragm does not prevent the sperm from entering the vagina, but it prevents it from reaching the uterus. It is used alongside a spermicide which kills the sperm, thus ensuring that a person is not at risk of getting pregnant. A diaphragm should be inserted an hour before the sexual intercourse and removed six to eight hours after the activity. This is a great contraception type, especially for people who are not willing to use hormonal methods. It is also reusable since one diaphragm can last for close to two years. Unlike hormonal methods, fertility with a diaphragm returns as soon as it is removed, meaning that if you are looking to conceive, you can easily do so after discontinuing its use. Unlike a condom, a diaphragm requires you to have a prescription and it does not protect you from STIs.
Hormonal methods often use estrogen which works by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs. They also work by thickening the mucus in the cervix, making it impossible for the sperm to reach the cervix and fertilize the already-released egg. Hormonal methods can either be oral, skin patches, implants, rings, or injections. When used consistently, hormonal methods are 91-99.9% effective. Hormonal methods are also great at regulating the menstrual cycle especially if you have had an irregular period.
Hormonal methods require a prescription since they can affect and be affected by certain health conditions. These health conditions include high blood pressure, breast cancer, heart disease, and bariatric surgery among others. These hormonal contraceptives also have side effects such as mood changes, nausea, irregular bleeding, vaginal yeast, sore breast, and lowering women's libido among others.
Are you looking for a long-term contraception method? Then maybe an IUD is the way to go. An IUD is placed inside the uterus and it stops the movement of sperm and prevents the already released egg from being fertilized. IUDs can either be hormonal or copper. An IUD has to be inserted and removed by a healthcare professional. IUDs are highly effective (up to 99%) and one IUD can stay for years in the vagina, meaning that it is quite low maintenance. While it might seem like a more expensive contraception method, it is quite cheaper in the long run. However, like any other contraceptive, it has some side effects, including cramping and irregular bleeding especially in the first few months after insertion.
Did you know that you can prevent unplanned pregnancies by using natural methods? Natural family planning (NFP) methods include tracking your fertile and non-fertile days to avoid conception. This can be done by tracking body temperature, checking the cervical mucus consistency, or checking a calendar to determine safe days. The effectiveness of NFP varies due to reasons such as irregular menstrual cycles, wrong tracking, or inconsistently using the method. However, the good thing about this method is that it is not hormonal and it has no side effects. It is also a method that requires one to be committed to it since incorrect tracking can lead to unplanned pregnancy.
Emergency pills (morning after pill) are often used after having unprotected sex to delay ovulation, thus preventing the egg from being released. Levonorgestrel is available over the counter without a prescription but you need a prescription for ulipristal acetate. A copper IUD can also act as an emergency contraception. However, this method is called emergency contraception for a reason since they are high-dose hormonal pills. This method does not also provide you with long-term benefits and it also does not offer you any other protection, such as protection from STIs. All other contraception methods are preventive, but the emergency contraceptive is reactive and as we all know, prevention is much better than reacting.
While the contraception method is a personal choice, it is crucial to have all the information available before you can choose the right contraception for you. However, it is advisable to seek the help of your healthcare professional as they can advise you on the best contraception to use based on your health conditions as well as your family planning needs. When you talk with a healthcare professional, it helps to be as open as possible as this can help the healthcare professional to help you I hope that the information I have just fed you will help you make an informed decision.