I receive tons of questions from the Beauty Detox community about birth control. Itâs an important issue, because the type of birth control you select can definitely affect your overall health and wellbeing. Letâs take a look at the many different methods of birth control for women and discuss how well they fit into the over all BDS lifestyle.
All birth control methods have their strong and weak points, and making a decision about birth control is a highly individual decision. Just because your best friend or your doctor introduces you to a particular method doesnât mean that it is the one that works the best in your life. I strongly believe that before you make a decision about what method you choose, you have all of the facts so you can make the most informed choice possible for you.
Hormonal Methods
There are many hormonal methods of birth control. They all work in essentially the same way, although the hormones they contain and their method of delivery varies.
Hormonal methods work in one of two ways. Either they prevent ovulation or they interfere with implantation of fertilized eggs. All contain a combination of hormones, and they therefore come with inherent risks and side effects.
Oral Contraceptives (The Pill)
How they work: Pills prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs while changing your uterine lining to decrease the chance of implantation.
Pros:
- About 99 percent effective if taken exactly as prescribed
- Some studies indicate long-term use of oral contraceptives may lower the risk of endometrial cancer.
- Extended cycle pills may allow you to reduce your periods to about four a year.
Cons:
- Pills must be taken at the same time every day.
- Pills take a full cycle to be effective.
- Missing a pill increases your risk of getting pregnant.
- Pills contain combinations of estrogen and progestin that can affect many processes in your body.
- Long-term use of oral contraceptives increases the risk of developing breast, cervical, and liver cancers.
- Taking estrogen and progestin increases risks of developing blood clots in women who have recently given birth.
- Women at higher risk for developing blood clots when on birth control include smokers, obese women, and those over the age of 35.
- Birth control pills have a number of common side effects including breakthrough bleeding, decreased sex drive, mood swings, weight gain, and breast tenderness.
- From a beauty perspective, anything that interferes with hormones may also interfere with how your skin, hair, and nails appear.
- Taking synthetic hormones can interfere with your bodyâs ability to cleanse itself fully of toxic buildup.
- Birth control pills do not offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Certain medications, including antibiotics, can reduce the effectiveness of the pill.
Hormone Patches (Ortho Evra)
How they work: The patches release estrogen and progestin into the system transdermally (via the skin). Once in the system, it works the same way as birth control pills.
Pros:
- You only need to change your patch once every three weeks.
- You can predict when your period will be.
- Other pros are the same as birth control pills.
Cons:
- Have to remember to replace your patch.
- Other cons are the same as for oral contraceptives.
Hormone Injections (Depo Prevara)
How it works: The doctor injects progestin once every three months. The hormones stop the ovaries from releasing the egg and thickened cervical mucus prevents conception.
Pros:
- Only need to have injections once every three months.
- Same as birth control pills.
Cons:
- You can only use the injections for two consecutive years.
- Causes a temporary loss of bone density.
- Long-term use is associated with the increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture.
- Same concerns as birth control pills.
Vaginal Ring
How it works: Also called NuvaRing, this ring device is inserted vaginally. It releases estradiol and etongesterol into the bloodstream continuously, blocking fertilization and thickening cervical mucus.
Pros:
- The ring only needs to be changed once a month.
- Other benefits similar to the pill.
Cons:
- Does not protect against STDs.
- Vaginal discharge is a common side effect.
- Other drawbacks are similar to birth control pills and other hormonal methods.
Contraceptive Implants
How it works: Provides slow-release progestin via a subdermal (under the skin) implant. Implants last for three years.
Pros:
- Donât need to worry about birth control for three years.
- Implants are as effective as sterilization.
- Pregnancy protection starts as early as 24 hours after implantation.
- Other pros associated with all hormonal birth controls.
Cons:
- Requires surgical implantation under local anesthesia.
- If you want to stop before three years, you must have the implants surgically removed.
- Irregular bleeding is a possible side effect.
- Does not protect against STDs.
- Other side effects are the same as those associated with hormonal birth control methods.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods protect you by stopping the sperm before it has a chance to travel near any eggs. The most common barrier methods are condoms, cervical caps and diaphragms, both which have an effectiveness of about 98 percent when used the right way. When paired with a spermicide, the rate of effectiveness increases.
Male Condoms
How it works: The condom blocks semen as it leaves the penis, so sperm are never able to reach the eggs.
Pros:
- Is about 98 percent effective when used appropriately.
- Provides protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Uses no chemicals (unless lubricated).
- Easily available over the counter.
Cons:
- In order to be fully effective, should be used with a spermicide, which contains chemicals.
- Some people have latex allergies.
- User error decreases effectiveness.
- Many people feel condoms disrupt spontaneity or (perhaps) reduce pleasure
Cervical Cap
How it works: This small cap blocks the opening to the cervix, so sperm canât get through to fertilize eggs. Cervical caps are also used with spermicide.
Pros:
- Allows the female to take control of birth control.
- Can be inserted a few hours prior to potential intercourse.
Cons:
- Has a failure rate of between 7 and 8 percent.
- Can be difficult to insert.
- Uses spermicide, which contains chemicals.
- Doesnât protect against STDs.
Diaphragm
How it works: The diaphragm is coated with spermicide and inserted into the vagina to block sperm from fertilizing eggs.
Pros:
- Can be inserted a few hours before intercourse.
- Allows the female to take control of birth control.
Cons:
- Has a high failure rate of about 16 percent.
- Can be difficult to insert and uncomfortable.
- Requires the use of chemical spermicides.
- Doesnât protect against STDs.
Female Condom
How it works: This provides a barrier that is inserted vaginally.
Pros:
- Allows female to take control of birth control.
- Doesnât require spermicide.
Cons:
- Extremely high failure rate of approximately 21 percent (!)
- Can be difficult to use and hard to find.
Uterine Devices
Also known as IUDs, uterine devices irritate the lining of the uterus, creating a hostile environment for implantation. There are two main forms of IUD: copper IUDs and IUDs with protestogen.
Copper IUD
How it works: A physician implants the IUD vaginally, where it lodges in the lining of the uterus creating a hostile environment for implantation of a fertilized egg. Copper is also toxic to sperm, so it kills them.
Pros:
- About 99 percent effective.
- Can remain in place 5 to 10 years.
- Can be removed when youâre ready to conceive.
- Doesnât use chemicals.
- Can be used for emergency contraception.
Cons:
- Requires medical insertion, sometimes under local anesthesia.
- Can cause mild cramping.
- Requires checking after ever period to ensure it is in place.
- Can be spontaneously expelled.
- Risks include perforation and menstrual problems such as cramping and spotting.
- Does not protect against STDs.
Hormonal IUD
How it works: After being implanted vaginally, a hormonal IUD both affects sperm and keeps implantation from occurring.
Pros:
- Over 99 percent effective.
- Can be inserted for up to 5 years.
- May reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
- May reduce cramps.
- May prevent endometrial cancer.
- May relieve endometriosis.
- Reduces the risk of tubal pregnancy.
- Doesnât cause weight gain.
Cons:
- Must be inserted medically, sometimes with local anesthesia.
- Increased risk of uterine perforation.
- Can be spontaneously expelled.
- Must be removed by a physician.
- Can cause ovarian cysts.
- If you do become pregnant, can cause preterm birth or miscarriage.
- Can cause infection.
- Can disrupt your bodyâs natural hormonal balance.
Natural Methods
There are several natural methods of birth control, as well. These may involve a little bit of work on your part, but you can learn when your body is at risk of becoming pregnant (usually within a few days either way of ovulation.)
Fertility Awareness
These methods allow you to track changes in your body so you know when you ovulate. You then must either abstain from sex or use a barrier form of birth control during ovulation. These types of methods tend to be about 75 to 80 percent effective. They donât require any chemicals or devices to prevent pregnancy. Here are several.
- Cervical Mucus Method: Hormonal changes around ovulation cause cervical mucus thickening. Immediately after your period, you may notice no cervical mucus for a few days. These are considered safe days. As ovulation approaches, the mucus thickens and becomes stretchy, wet, and slippery. These signal coming ovulation and are considered safe. During these days, you need to use a barrier method or some other form of birth control. After ovulation occurs, mucus returns to cloudy, and then tacky, and then dry. These are also considered safe days. To use the cervical mucus method effectively, you need to chart your mucus pattern. Using this method correctly results in about 3 pregnancies out of 100 users.
- Calendar Method: This method is about 91 percent effective. It requires that you track your period in order to determine when you are most likely to be fertile. Planned Parenthood has a great explanation of this method on their site.
- Temperature Method: This method is based on the fact that body temperature rises slightly after ovulation. It requires you to take your basal body temperature the first thing every morning before you even get out of bed, and then to chart it. Temperature changes will be very minor and should be taken using a basal thermometer. Itâs best to work with a healthcare provider. Essentially, after you notice a consistent rise in temperature over that lasts for four days (usually in the last part of your cycle), you have entered the safe area for unprotected intercourse until you begin menstruation. The temperature method is more effective when combined with both the calendar and cervical mucus methods.
Birth Control: The Bottom Line
Birth control is an important health topic for women. In order to avoid unwanted pregnancy, you must take control by selecting the method of birth control that works with your priorities, your body, and fits your overall health goals. In choosing a birth control method, be sure to evaluate all of the pros and cons of every method to find the one that works for you.
Whenever I am pondering on something, I like to take a relaxing bath and think about some good desserts to make after my evening dinner. Before dinner, I may catch quick yoga session or meditation session. When I am most relaxed and at one with myself is when I find the answer I was looking for.
