Understand your birth control options

Gone are the days when people relied on condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy. With the number of unintended pregnancies in both adolescents and adults on the rise, more and more people are turning to other forms of contraception. With so many options on the market today, it’s important to fully understand the side effects and benefits of each type.

the pill

The phrase “The Pill” is used to refer to any type of birth control pill. There are more than a dozen types of pills prescribed by doctors today. Some common brands are OrthoEvra Low, Yazmin, Seasonique, and Lutera. This prescription is filled monthly. You take a pill every day that increases specific hormones in your body to decrease the chance of pregnancy. It is important to take them at the same time each day for them to be most effective. There is a row of pills that are considered to be placebo pills, these do not contain hormones and cause menstruation in your body. The biggest benefit of the pill is that it decreases acne in patients.

The ring

NuvaRing is fast becoming a favorite option in birth control. This is a flexible vaginal ring that is inserted once a month. You do not need to visit a doctor for this. Insert the ring and leave it on for three weeks. At the end of the third week, remove the ring for a week and replace it with a new one. As of 2010, more than half of all health insurance does not cover NuvaRing, however that is likely to change in the future as it becomes more popular. The only way to know whether or not your insurance covers it is by contacting them or checking their prescription drug list.

Implanon and Mirena

Two long term options in birth control are Implanon and Mirena. Implanon is a small flexible rod (about 2 inches long) that is injected into the arm. It slowly releases hormones over the course of three years. Mirena is a modern IUD. These work by irritating the inside of the uterus to prevent it from releasing eggs. Every month you should check the Mirena threads, this is explained to you by your gynecologists. Mirena can last up to five years. Stains may appear during the use of any of these methods. Some women experience a complete stop in bleeding altogether. Both can also cause weight gain and acne.

The shot and the patch

Least related to forms of birth control are the Depovera Shot and the contraceptive patch. Patients receive the injection once every three months. It releases a level of hormones that trick the body into thinking it’s menopausal. Patients often experience spots throughout the year. The injection is also associated with drastic weight gain in patients. The patch is a clear hormonal patch that can be placed on the arm, the back of the shoulder, the lower back, or the abdomen. It releases a steady stream of hormones for a month and is then replaced with a new patch.