The Birth Control Guide
The Birth Control Guide
The subject of birth control can be overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes, misleading. When considering the types of birth control for women, it’s important for each woman to do her due diligence and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. By empowering herself with knowledge, she can make the best decision for her body.
What is Birth Control?
Birth control, also known as contraception, is considered to be any method used to prevent pregnancy from occuring. There are various types of birth control for women, including hormonal and non-hormonal options.
Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control methods use synthetic hormones, such as synthetic estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone), to prevent ovulation. By stopping a woman’s body from ovulating, pregnancy cannot occur. Hormonal birth control is offered multiple ways, including pill, implant, patch, injection, IUD, and more. It’s worth noting that progestin is not progesterone and as a synthetic hormone, it lacks all the health benefits of true progesterone.
Note: According to studies, the progestin-only forms of birth control have a higher rate of depression, anxiety, and suicide rates– especially in teens.
Non-Hormonal Birth Control
Non-hormonal birth control options are free from synthetic hormones and can be just as effective as the hormonal options. Each non-hormonal method works in different ways. For example, copper is used in the non-hormonal IUD, which repels and kills sperm. Alternatively, the Fertility Awareness Method involves tracking your fertility signs such as basal body temperature and cervical mucus to identify your fertile window. Keep reading to learn more about the various kinds of non-hormonal birth control.
Types of Birth Control for Women
While there are many forms of birth control available today, these are arguably the most common ones:
1. Hormonal Birth Control Pills
Hormonal birth control is likely the most commonly used form of birth control. This is likely because many doctors are quick to prescribe a type of hormonal birth control for issues related to hormonal imbalance such as PMS, acne, irregular periods and PCOS.
There are 2 categories of hormonal birth control pills:
1. Combined- Combined birth control pills contain synthetic estrogen and progestin, which suppresses GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), and therefore, stops ovulation. By preventing ovulation, pregnancy cannot occur. The efficacy rate of combined hormonal birth control pills is 91% with typical use and 99% with perfect use.
2. Mini- Mini birth control pills contain only synthetic progestin. In most cases, progestin suppresses ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, and thins the uterine lining– all of which prevents the sperm reaching the egg. The efficacy rate of mini birth control pills based on typical use is 91%, while perfect use reaches up to 99%.
The advantages of hormonal birth control pills include having a high efficacy rate when used properly, requiring minimal responsibility of the user, and minimizing symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
The disadvantages of hormonal birth control include the need to take the pill at same time every day for effective use, shutting off ovulation (which deprives the body of crucial hormones), possibly leading the user to choose the wrong mate, and possibly causing negative side effects such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Nutrient deficiencies
Bone loss
Blood clots
Insulin resistance
Low sex drive
Headaches and migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Irregular bleeding
2. Opill
In 2024, the first over-the-counter birth control pill will be available in the U.S. It’s called the Opill. It is a progestin-only pill, aka mini-pill, containing norgestrel. This is a synthetic form of progesterone that thickens cervical mucus and thins the uterine lining. As with other progestin-only birth control methods, some women will still ovulate, which is why it's crucial to take the pill at the same time each day. The Opill efficacy rate with typical use is 93%, while perfect use is 98%.
The advantages of Opill include having a high efficacy rate of when used properly, requiring minimal responsibility of the user, and minimizing symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
The disadvantages of hormonal birth control include taking the pill at same time every day for effective use, increasing the risk of breast cancer, and possibly causing negative side effects such as:
Dizziness
Nausea
Increased appetite
Abdominal pain
Cramps or bloating
Irregular or prolonged bleeding
Headaches and migraines
Breast tenderness
I highly recommend avoiding the Opill if you have a personal or family history of mental illness or if you have a family history of breast cancer. The Opill should not be used in combination with other hormonal methods or as emergency contraceptive.
3. Arm Implant
The arm implant is a small, 1.6” rod inserted into the arm. Once inserted by a doctor, it can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. It contains progestin, the synthetic form of progesterone, which suppresses ovulation and prevents pregnancy from occurring.
Since there is no opportunity for user error, the efficacy rate is 99%.
The advantages of the arm implant includes having a high efficacy rate, minimizing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, not requiring daily attention, and not requiring any responsibility of user.
The disadvantages of the arm implant include shutting off ovulation, requiring a doctor to insert into the arm, possibility of the implant migrating to another part of the body, and the possibility of causing side effects such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Nutrient deficiencies
Bone loss
Blood clots
Insulin resistance
Low sex drive
Headaches and migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Irregular bleeding
4. Depo Provera
Depo Provera is a birth control shot that is administered every 3 months by a doctor. It contains progestin, which suppresses ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, and stops pregnancy from occurring. This birth control option has one of the lowest efficacy rates, around 94-96%.
Note: I do not see any benefit of this form of birth control. Due to its black box warning and low efficacy rates, the benefits DO NOT outweigh the risks. In my professional opinion, this form of birth control should be taken off the market immediately.
The advantages of Depo Provera include not requiring any daily attention or responsibility of user.
The disadvantages of Depo Provera include shutting off ovulation, having the lowest efficacy rate compared to other forms of hormonal birth control, requiring a black box warning, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, delaying ovulation for an average of 6 months once discontinued, and possibly causing side effects, such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Nutrient deficiencies
Bone loss
Blood clots
Insulin resistance
Low sex drive
Headaches and migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Irregular bleeding
5. The Patch
The Patch is a form of birth control that is applied to the skin and worn for 3 consecutive weeks. The patch is removed for the 4th week of the month, then replaced for the start of the new month. It contains synthetic estrogen and progestin, which suppresses ovulation and stops pregnancy from occurring. It works similarly to the combined birth control pill. However, with the patch, the synthetic hormones are transferred transdermally.
The patch can be applied to the arm, lower back, abdomen, or butt, depending on the brand chosen. It does not affect daily activities, like showering or swimming. But in the case of falling off, it must be replaced. The efficacy rate of the patch for typical use is 91%, while perfect use reaches 99%.
The advantages of the patch include having a high efficacy rate when used properly, minimizing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, not requiring daily attention, and requiring low responsibility of user.
The disadvantages of the patch include shutting off ovulation, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide rates (especially in teens), and possibly causing side effects, such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Nutrient deficiencies
Bone loss
Blood clots
Insulin resistance
Low sex drive
Headaches and migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Irregular bleeding
6. IUDs
IUD stands for Intrauterine Device. As the name suggests, an IUD is a small, T-shaped device inserted into the uterus. There are two types of IUDs available: hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal IUDs contain progestin, while the non-hormonal IUD contains copper.
Copper IUD- Copper prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical fluid so sperm cannot meet the egg. Copper is also known for killing sperm, due to its high toxicity. It can also stop a fertilized egg from implanting which is why it can be used as emergency contraceptive if implanted within 5 days of unprotected sex.
Hormonal IUDs- These types of IUDs contain progestin (the synthetic form of progesterone), which thins uterine lining and impairs cervical fluid to prevent the sperm from getting to egg. Hormonal IUDs suppress ovulation, and it’s estimated 85% of women won’t ovulate until the second year after IUD removal.
Some consider IUDs to be a localized form of birth control. However, in the case of hormonal IUDs, the progestin does not only stay in the uterus. It enters the bloodstream and spreads through the body. Meaning, it is still a systemic form of birth control.
The efficacy rate for hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs is 99%.
The advantages of of IUDs include having a high efficacy rate, lasting for years (up to 10 years for non-hormonal IUDs and 3-8 years for hormonal IUDs), not requiring daily attention or any responsibility of user, allowing the body to still ovulate (in most cases), and sometimes reducing menstrual bleeds.
The disadvantages of both hormonal and non-hormonall IUDs include being painful to insert, requiring a doctor for insertion and removal, possibly worsening period symptoms, increasing the risk of infection, and possibly causing side effects, such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Nutrient deficiencies
Bone loss
Blood clots
Insulin resistance
Low sex drive
Headaches and migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Irregular bleeding
Disadvantages accompanied only with the copper IUD include: increasing the risk of copper toxicity, which can increase estrogen and cause adrenal fatigue and thyroid problems. It can also increase period pain and menstrual bleeding.
7. Phexxi
Phexxi is a prescription gel that is inserted into the vagina before having sex. It contains lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate, which all alter the vagina’s pH, making it a hostile environment for sperm. The efficacy rate of Phexxi is 86% with typical use and 93% with perfect use. While this might seem quite low, it can be paired with other hormone-free birth control options, like condoms, the fertility awareness method, and withdrawal to increase efficacy rates.
The advantages of Phexxi include offering a hormone-free option and still allowing the body to ovulate.
The disadvantages of Phexxi include requiring use before intercourse every time, having a low efficacy rate compared to other forms of birth control, and possibly causing side effects, such as:
Increased risk of infection
Vaginal burning
Vaginal itching
Increased risk of UTIs
Increases risk of bacterial vaginosis
8. Non-Hormonal Options: Condoms, Diaphragm, Cap, and Vasectomy
There are many non-hormonal birth control options to consider, including condoms, the diaphragm, and a vasectomy.
CONDOMS
Condoms are a thin pouch that covers the penis during sex. The efficacy rate is 85% with typical use and 98% with perfect use..
Advantages of condoms include: being hormone-free, still allowing the body to ovulate, protecting against STDs, and having no side effects .
Disadvantages of condoms include: requiring use during intercourse every time, decreasing sensation during intercourse, and having a low efficacy rate compared to other forms of birth control
THE DIAPHRAGM
The diaphragm is a dome inserted into the vagina to block sperm from entering the uterus. It’s efficacy rate is 88% with typical use and 94% with perfect use.
The advantages of the diaphragm include: being hormone-free, still allowing the body to ovulate, and using spermicide to increase efficacy .
Disadvantages of the diaphragm include: requiring insertion two hours before sex every time and having a low efficacy rate compared to other forms of birth control.
CERVICAL CAP
The cervical cap is similar to the diaphragm, but it’s smaller in size and works by capping the cervix. It’s efficacy rate is 70% with typical use and 86% with perfect use..
The advantages of the cervical cap include: being hormone-free, still allowing the body to ovulate, and using spermicide to increase efficacy. The disadvantages of the cervical cap include: requires a visit to the doctor for fitting, only being worn for up to 2 days, and having efficacy rate compared to other forms of birth control.
VASECTOMY
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure for men that cuts the tubes that deliver the sperm. Its efficacy rate is 85-98%.
The advantages of a vasectomy include: being hormone-free, still allowing the body to ovulate, having a high efficacy rate, and not needing condoms or other forms of birth control.
The disadvantages of a vasectomy include: requiring a surgical procedure that is permanent. The procedure can be reversed, but with a low success rate.
9. The Fertility Awareness Method
The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) gets the gold star for hormone-free birth control. This birth control method teaches women how to identify their fertile window using three physiological markers:
Cervical mucus changes
Basal body temperature
Cervix position
These markers are unique to each female and where they are in their menstrual cycle. There’s no guessing or assuming, unlike other forms of tracking (or app tracking). Knowing this invaluable information empowers every woman during their cycle and ovulation window. By tracking these markers, she can identify her fertile window and abstain from sex on those days, in order to prevent pregnancy. Some choose to use a condoms on fertile window days. However, in that case, she is relying on the efficacy of condoms, not FAM.
The efficacy rate of FAM with typical use is 80%, while perfect use is 99.6%.
The advantages of FAM include being hormone-free, supporting the body in ovulation, empowering women to know and understand their menstrual cycle, and having a high efficacy rate when implemented properly. The disadvantages of FAM include tracking physiological markers every day and not protecting against STIs.
When it comes to contraception, the hormonal birth control pill is not the only option. There are countless types of birth control for women, including hormonal and non-hormonal methods. I encourage every woman to explore each and every possible option before making the best decision for her body.
To discover more about which birth control option is right for you and to learn how to balance your hormones after getting off hormonal birth control, check out my free masterclass “Thrive After Birth Control”. Click here to watch the recording.
