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9 Vital Birth Control Facts Everyone Needs to Know

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 11:39:42 GMT

To maximize the effectiveness of contraceptives, you need to ensure they're used correctly. Here are nine birth control facts you need to know.

Nearly every woman uses a form of birth control in their lifetime. Over 48% of female-identifying persons are using a type of birth control at any given time. But, just because contraceptives are widely used does not guarantee their effectiveness.

To ensure your best chance at avoiding an unexpected pregnancy, you must use birth control as designed. Each method has its own birth control facts to research. If you're on birth control or considering a new method, use this guide to learn about how to use it correctly.

Popular Methods of Birth Control

Did you know the most widely used method of birth control is female sterilization ? Female sterilization by surgery is also known as a tubal ligation procedure. This is a permanent birth control solution to prevent pregnancy.

A relatively simple procedure, the fallopian tubes get blocked or sealed to stop sperm from reaching an egg. The rate of success of sterilization is nearly 100%! This is the only method of birth control that offers such high effectiveness.

Oral contraceptive use is the second most popular form of birth control in the US. Long-acting contraceptives, such as IUDs or hormonal implants are also widely used. Some people rely on condom use, while some monogamous couples opt for male sterilization.

Connecting with a sexual health nurse is a great way to learn which method of contraceptive works best for your life.

9 Vital Birth Control Facts

If you're sexually active or considering starting a sexual relationship, birth control is essential. As discussed, there are non-hormonal, permanent, and temporary methods to chose from. Here are nine vital facts about common birth control methods !

1. The Rhythm Method is Complicated

Most of us have heard about the rhythm method as a form of birth control. This is when you practice abstaining from sexual intercourse during ovulation. The trouble with this method is the body is fertile for longer than the ovulation day.

The egg stays fertile for around 24 hours after it gets released. Sperm are capable of surviving in the body for up to five days. This means a sexual encounter a few days before the ovulation day could result in an unwanted pregnancy.

The rhythm method requires abstaining from sexual intercourse for five days before ovulation and at least three days after. For this reason, it is not recommended as a reliable method of birth control. It has a 75% effective rate .

2. Gut Health Affects Oral Contraceptives

For people living with digestive issues or complications, the effectiveness of oral contraceptives might get affected. Inflammation conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome might alter the absorption of birth control pills. If you're experiencing diarrhea or vomiting from the flu, your oral contraceptive might become less effective .

It is encouraged to use a backup method, like a condom, until symptoms get cleared up.

3. Medication Can Interact with Hormonal IUD

It is important to discuss your supplements and medications with your sexual health practitioner. Some drugs and supplements interact with hormonal birth control methods and make them less effective. While a hormonal IUD like Mirena is nearly 99% effective, taking some medications changes this rate.

Drugs such as antibiotics, seizure medication, and blood thinners cause interactions. The supplement St. John's Wort also affects hormonal birth control.

4. Timing Matters for Spermicide

Spermicide is a gel, liquid, foam, or cream that you insert into the vagina. For it to work to prevent pregnancy, you must use it every time you have vaginal sex. Not all types of spermicide work instantly either.

Some require you to apply it up to 15 minutes before sex and only work for up to an hour after. Yet, sex isn't always planned or it may last longer than anticipated! This is one of the reasons why spermicide is not recommended as a reliable source of birth control on its own.

5. Timing Matters for the Pill Too

When you take oral contraceptives matters too. The pill works best when taken at the same time every day. Set an alarm for a reminder so the effectiveness of your birth control doesn't change.

6. Practice Using Condoms

Condoms are convenient and recommended! They are a great second method to use with other forms of birth control. They are also required to prevent STIs.

How you put a condom on affects how well it works. The tip of the condom should sit slightly away from the end of the penis. Hold the tip of the condom to prevent air from getting trapped while it is put on.

7. Condoms Expire

Condoms have a shelf life. Vaginal condoms last for up to five years, while penile condoms are good between three and five years. Where you store condoms changes their effectiveness too.

Latex condoms should not stay in pockets or wallets. Temperature fluctuations alter their effectiveness. They degrade in hot temperatures , so keep them stored away from the body and out of a warm car or bathroom. Sunlight, fluorescent light, and humidity also affect them.

8. Swimming and the Patch

The hormonal birth control patch is a convenient method to use. It has a high effectiveness rate but some things alter this. To work how it was designed, the adhesive must keep it tight to the skin.

If you're a frequent swimmer or like to take long baths, the patch might not be best for you. Spending more than 30 minutes in water affects these types of birth control.

9. Missing a Day with the Ring

The contraceptive ring is a small device that sits high in the vagina. The ring gets taken out during menstruation. If you forget to insert your ring, being late changes how well it works to prevent pregnancy.

Even having it out for two hours, twice in a cycle will alter how effective it is! Make sure the ring is secure after sexual intercourse and bowel movements.

Sexual Health Nurses Help with Birth Control Choices

These birth control facts show there are plenty of options available to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Not every method is right for your unique lifestyle. Also, our sexual health needs change over our lifetime.

Speaking with an informed sexual health professional will help you decide which is the right method for you. Contact Sync Health today to book your confidential session and learn more about birth control information.

IUD vs Birth Control Pills: A Comparative Guide

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 11:36:08 GMT

There are several things you need to know when comparing an IUD vs birth control pills. Here's how to choose what's right for you.

In 2020, there was a 4% drop in babies born compared to previous years. These new numbers show that the United States is at its lowest birth rate ever.

Birth control has changed the dynamics of sexual health and reproduction, and more than ever, you can find various birth control options that prevent unwanted pregnancies. Yet, how can you decide between an IUD vs birth control pills?

IUDs and birth control pills are two commonly used forms of contraception, and they each have their benefits and risks. To learn more about which option may be right for you, we have put together a complete guide comparing the two more in-depth.

Are you still interested? Keep reading on for more information!

What Is Birth Control?

If you've heard the term contraception, it is an interchangeable term with birth control that essentially means preventing pregnancy . There are four main ways that people prevent pregnancy, including:

Sperm to egg prevention (e.g., condoms, diaphragms)
Preventing egg release (e.g., birth control pills, patches)
Implanted devices (e.g., IUD)
Sterilization

The most permanent form of contraception is sterilization, including vasectomy or tying off fallopian tubes. While nothing is ever a complete guarantee (unless the uterus is removed), there are several pros and cons when deciding if you should opt for an IUD or birth control pills.

Additionally, it is important to note that long-acting contraception such as IUDs or implants is reversible. You will need to discuss and follow up with your physician when considering pregnancy to have them removed.

What Is Emergency Contraception?

Emergency contraception is an oral contraceptive form that doesn't typically fall under the normal categories. It is a last-ditch resort after sexual intercourse with no protection and should not be used as a regular form of birth control. Emergency contraceptives have a 95% success rate of preventing pregnancies, but they can cause some unwanted side effects, such as:

Nausea or vomiting
Minimal vaginal bleeding
Fatigue

It is relatively safe for most women and won't affect fertility in the future.

Benefits of Birth Control

One of the apparent benefits of contraception is it can help avoid unwanted pregnancies. Yet, there are several other benefits that people often lose sight of when considering birth control options. Some of these are:

Regulate periods or make them lighter
Reduce painful cramps or other period symptoms
Prevent ovarian cysts
Help acne
Help polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) symptoms
Decrease cancer risks

Almost half of all pregnancies happen unintentionally, and birth control options can alleviate some debilitating menstrual symptoms and help reduce added stress and health risks. In many instances, unintended pregnancies occur in female teenagers between 15 to 19. Providing better access, education, and proper use of birth control options can help improve female and newborn babies' health.

IUD vs Birth Control Pills

Before diving into the pros and cons of getting an IUD versus birth control pills, it helps to understand some key differences. An IUD is known as an intrauterine device. It is implanted in the uterus by a qualified health care clinician.

Birth control pills are oral contraceptives that are typically taken daily at the same time. Both forms can prevent unwanted pregnancies at a high rate, but is one better than the other?

Types of IUDs

IUDs are flexible, plastic devices that insert into your uterus. It is small and shaped like a 'T,' so it fits snuggly in your uterus and prevents sperm from fertilizing through cervical mucus and uterine lining changes. There are two main types of IUDs :

Hormone-releasing
Copper

Hormone-releasing IUDs thicken cervical mucus, making it challenging for sperm to move and fertilize. They do this through small releases of progestin hormone, which is safe and does not affect fertility once removed.

A copper IUD blocks sperm through the copper lining of the IUD, which essentially makes the uterus inhabitable. Within these types of IUDs, there are different brands.

Each type has different protocols on how long it should be left in and some safety precautions. The copper IUD is simple with just one type: ParaGuard. It can last for up to ten years before being replaced or removed. Hormone-releasing IUDs get a bit more complicated with five different popular options:

Mirena
Liletta
Kyleena
Skyla

Most hormonal IUDs last between five to six years, except for Skyla, which only lasts three years.

IUD Pros and Cons

IUDs boast an impressive 99% effectiveness at preventing unwanted pregnancies . On the downside, IUDs have some immediate side effects.

For starters, you must schedule an appointment with a qualified healthcare clinician for an IUD. During the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort, including:

Abdominal pain
Cramping
Nausea
Lightheadedness

You can prep for an IUD with over-the-counter pain medication and use a heating pad once you get home. On the plus side, IUDs start working quickly. ParaGuard can begin working immediately, and hormonal IUDs may take up to a week.

You may notice spotting for up to six months, but otherwise, side effects in the long-term are fairly minimal. Keep in mind - IUDs do not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI) and shouldn't be used for people with cervical or uterine cancers and recent infections.

The three most severe (and unlikely) risks with an IUD are infections, expulsion (IUD shifting out of place), and perforation. These chances are very low, and the benefit of an IUD is you don't need to worry about daily contraception, and it lasts for years to come!

Types of Birth Control Pills

Oral contraceptives contain hormones that either stop ovulation, stop eggs being released, or change uterine linings. Birth control packs typically come with a 28-day supply. You will usually take one pill daily around the same time for the best results.

There are two types of birth control pills :

Combination
Progestin-only

Combination pills use progesterone and estrogen that help control your cycle. There are three main types of combination contraception pills:

Monophasic
Multiphasic
Extended-cycle

Your healthcare clinician can help you decide which one is best for you, but one of the most significant differences is extended-cycle reduces how many times you have a period. If you can't take estrogen for health reasons, progestin-only pills are your best bet, and they can significantly help women with heavy bleeding.

The entire cycle is active while taking progestin-only (or minipills), meaning you have a higher likelihood of not having a menstrual period while on it.

Birth Control Pills Pros and Cons

Like IUDs, birth control pills can have 99% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Yet, it can have higher misuse than IUDs, such as forgetting to take it or taking it at different times. Combination pills, in particular, can have more whole-body benefits than IUDs, such as reducing your risk for:

Osteoporosis
Anemia
Acne
Ovarian cysts
Painful intercourse
Menstrual migraines

Birth control pills also work exceptionally well for women who bleed heavily during their periods and experience severe cramping. These pills also show a 50% effectiveness at reducing risks for endometrial cancer . On the flip side, it can increase chances of breast cancer, and there are some unpleasant side effects associated with it, such as:

Headaches
Breast tenderness
Depression
Libido changes
Irregular spotting

One of the more severe risks and cons to birth control pills is blood clots. Not all women are at an increased risk for blood clots, but it is still helpful to talk with your clinician about your health concerns before starting.

Your Sexual Health

Safe sex practices can help improve your health and ensure you feel comfortable with your sexual preferences. At Sync Health, we empower men and women with education on sexual health and safe sex practices. We can also help answer your reproductive and sexual health questions if you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and more.

Education on the benefits of contraception and STIs can help teens and adults understand their bodies better and practice safe sex. Almost 20% of the population in the United States has a sexually transmitted infection and costs the healthcare system approximately $16 billion.

Teens and young adults account for most STI cases. Education, frequent screening, and access to appropriate contraception can help improve safe sex practices for STIs. Even with birth control pills and IUDs, you may need a condom or other barriers to reduce your risk of an STI.

Empower Your Health Today

Have you considered the benefits and risks of IUD vs birth control pills? Contraception is an important part of your sexual and overall health.

Each person is unique in their response to contraception, and you need something that aligns with your body and health. At Sync Health, we empower men and women about their sexual health and can help provide education on birth control options for you.

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