Birth Control Methods - Here Are Their Various Advantages And Disadvantages

There are many methods of birth control. Learn about the different kinds of birth control to help you choose the best one for you. This articles highlights what is involved and the advantages and disadvantages of the various birth control methods.

Hormonal methods

This uses two basic formulas:

Combination hormonal methods contain both estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone). Combination methods include pills ("the Pill"), skin patches, and rings .

Progestin-only hormonal methods include pills, also called "mini-pills"; shots (such as Depo-Provera); and implants (such as Implanon). If you can't take estrogen, a progestin-only method may be an option for you. There is also a hormonal IUD that releases a type of progestin.

Birth control pills, skin patches, and vaginal rings contain estrogen and progestin. There are also progestin-only birth control pills, implants (such as Implanon), and shots (such as Depo-Provera).

Hormonal methods of birth control prevent eggs from being released from the ovaries, thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus, and thin the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation.

Intrauterine Device

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, plastic, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs contain copper or the hormone levonorgestrel (LNg). Plastic strings tied to the end of the IUD hang down through the opening of the uterus (cervix) into the vagina.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Birth control methods

* Combination pills, skin patch, or vaginal ring (estrogen plus progestin)

Advantages
No interruption of foreplay or intercourse Reduced bleeding and cramping with periods, which lowers the risk of anemia Fewer or no periods (with certain types of pill) Reduced pain during ovulation Reduced risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Reduced fibrocystic breast changes Reduced risk of ectopic pregnancy May reduce acne May reduce ovarian cysts May reduce symptoms of endometriosis May protect against ovarian and endometrial cancer Can be used after an abortion

Advantages

No interruption of foreplay or intercourse
Reduced bleeding and cramping with periods, which lowers the risk of anemia
Fewer or no periods (with certain types of pill)
Reduced pain during ovulation
Reduced risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Reduced fibrocystic breast changes
Reduced risk of ectopic pregnancy
May reduce acne
May reduce ovarian cysts
May reduce symptoms of endometriosis
May protect against ovarian and endometrial cancer
Can be used after an abortion

Disadvantages
Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections or HIV May not be as effective when taken with certain medicines May delay return of normal cycles If used in early breast-feeding, may reduce milk supply Pills must be taken every day. Patches may not fully protect you from pregnancy if they are exposed to direct sun or high heat. This can release a high dose of hormone from the patch, which leaves less for the patch to release later in the week. Patches deliver more estrogen than low-dose birth control pills do. Some research has found that women using the patch are more likely to get dangerous blood clots in the legs and lungs. The risk may be higher if you smoke or have certain health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that you talk to your doctor about your risks before using the patch.

Disadvantages

Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections or HIV
May not be as effective when taken with certain medicines
May delay return of normal cycles
If used in early breast-feeding, may reduce milk supply
Pills must be taken every day.
Patches may not fully protect you from pregnancy if they are exposed to direct sun or high heat. This can release a high dose of hormone from the patch, which leaves less for the patch to release later in the week.
Patches deliver more estrogen than low-dose birth control pills do. Some research has found that women using the patch are more likely to get dangerous blood clots in the legs and lungs. The risk may be higher if you smoke or have certain health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that you talk to your doctor about your risks before using the patch.

* Progestin-only pills, implant, or shot

Advantages	Disadvantages
No interruption of foreplay or intercourse Fewer or no periods (especially with shot or implant) Reduced cramps and pain during ovulation Reduced bleeding and cramping with periods, which lowers the risk of anemia Reduced risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Does not contain estrogen, so can be used by women who cannot take estrogen May be used by women over 35 who are smokers May be used while breast-feeding Reduces risk of ectopic pregnancy Possible protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer Implant gives rapid return to fertility following removal. Shot and implant provide extremely effective birth control protection. Shot protects for about 3 months; implant lasts 3 years. Shot reduces symptoms of endometriosis. Shot reduces frequency of seizures in women who have a seizure disorder. Shot reduces number of sickle cell crises in women who have sickle cell disease.	Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections or HIV Causes more irregular periods or spotting between periods May not be as effective when taken with certain medicines Makes diabetes more likely if you have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy¹ Progestin-only pills are less effective than combination pills, but the shot and implant are extremely effective. Pills must be taken at the same time each day. Implant may cause menstrual periods to stop or be very light. Implant must be inserted and removed by a trained health professional. Implant may cause headaches. Shot may delay return of normal cycles for 6 to 8 months after the medicine is stopped, but there is no delay with pills or implant. Shot may increase the risk of chlamydia or gonorrhea infection among women who are sexually exposed to these bacteria.² Shot causes slight weight gain. Shot may decrease levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. Shot causes bone mineral loss, so calcium supplementation is necessary. Using the shot for 2 or more years can cause bone loss, which may not be fully reversible after stopping the medicine. This concern may be greatest during the teen years, when young women should be building bone mass.

Advantages

Disadvantages

No interruption of foreplay or intercourse
Fewer or no periods (especially with shot or implant)
Reduced cramps and pain during ovulation
Reduced bleeding and cramping with periods, which lowers the risk of anemia
Reduced risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Does not contain estrogen, so can be used by women who cannot take estrogen
May be used by women over 35 who are smokers
May be used while breast-feeding
Reduces risk of ectopic pregnancy
Possible protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer
Implant gives rapid return to fertility following removal.
Shot and implant provide extremely effective birth control protection.
Shot protects for about 3 months; implant lasts 3 years.
Shot reduces symptoms of endometriosis.
Shot reduces frequency of seizures in women who have a seizure disorder.
Shot reduces number of sickle cell crises in women who have sickle cell disease.

Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections or HIV
Causes more irregular periods or spotting between periods
May not be as effective when taken with certain medicines
Makes diabetes more likely if you have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy¹
Progestin-only pills are less effective than combination pills, but the shot and implant are extremely effective.
Pills must be taken at the same time each day.
Implant may cause menstrual periods to stop or be very light.
Implant must be inserted and removed by a trained health professional.
Implant may cause headaches.
Shot may delay return of normal cycles for 6 to 8 months after the medicine is stopped, but there is no delay with pills or implant.
Shot may increase the risk of chlamydia or gonorrhea infection among women who are sexually exposed to these bacteria.²
Shot causes slight weight gain.
Shot may decrease levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Shot causes bone mineral loss, so calcium supplementation is necessary.
Using the shot for 2 or more years can cause bone loss, which may not be fully reversible after stopping the medicine. This concern may be greatest during the teen years, when young women should be building bone mass.

* Intrauterine devices (IUDs)

These advantages and disadvantages apply to both hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Does not require interruption of foreplay or intercourse Does not require cooperation of sexual partner More than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy⁴ Easy to use Most cost-effective method of birth control over time Safe to use while breast-feeding Can be removed whenever you have problems or want to stop using it. Fertility returns with the first ovulation cycle following IUD removal. Can be inserted after a normal vaginal delivery, a cesarean section, or a first-trimester abortion Hormonal IUD can relieve heavy menstrual bleeding and cramping in most women.	Does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or HIV Costs several hundred dollars for insertion. (This cost may be covered by your health insurance. Some community clinics may offer insertion and removal at a reduced rate or free to low-income clients.) If the IUD is expelled, it costs just as much to get a new one. Having an IUD removed is also costly. But if an IUD is used for 5 years or longer, it is the most cost-effective form of birth control. Only a health professional can remove the IUD. Never attempt to remove the IUD yourself or allow a partner to try to remove it. When inserted, an IUD can spread a genital infection into the uterus, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in the first months after insertion. This is why you are screened for STIs before getting an IUD.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Does not require interruption of foreplay or intercourse
Does not require cooperation of sexual partner
More than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy⁴
Easy to use
Most cost-effective method of birth control over time
Safe to use while breast-feeding
Can be removed whenever you have problems or want to stop using it. Fertility returns with the first ovulation cycle following IUD removal.
Can be inserted after a normal vaginal delivery, a cesarean section, or a first-trimester abortion
Hormonal IUD can relieve heavy menstrual bleeding and cramping in most women.

Does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or HIV
Costs several hundred dollars for insertion. (This cost may be covered by your health insurance. Some community clinics may offer insertion and removal at a reduced rate or free to low-income clients.) If the IUD is expelled, it costs just as much to get a new one. Having an IUD removed is also costly. But if an IUD is used for 5 years or longer, it is the most cost-effective form of birth control.
Only a health professional can remove the IUD. Never attempt to remove the IUD yourself or allow a partner to try to remove it.
When inserted, an IUD can spread a genital infection into the uterus, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in the first months after insertion. This is why you are screened for STIs before getting an IUD.

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