CONTRACEPTION
When you are sexually active but do not want to become pregnant, you should use some form of contraception, or birth control.
Choosing Your Contraception
There are many different contraception (birth control) options available for people who have intercourse but do not wish to become pregnant. Some of these methods also protect from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which is a central part of sexual health.
It’s important to choose the right contraceptive method for your lifestyle and needs. If remembering to take medications at the same time each day is difficult for you, the Pill might not be your best option. If you have exclusively female partners, your contraceptive method can focus on STI protection rather than pregnancy prevention. Some other factors to consider include:
Health history
Effectiveness
Number of sexual partners
Frequency of intercourse
Associated side effects
Whether you want to have children in the future
Cost and availability
Dr. Drake will go over all the available options with you, answer your questions, and help you decide which form of birth control is right for you.
Non-Hormonal ContraceptioN
Barrier Methods Barrier contraception prevents sperm from reaching an egg by blocking or killing the sperm before it can reach the uterus. Barrier methods need to be used every time you have intercourse to prevent pregnancy. These methods include:
Male Condom: Male condoms slide over the penis and collect semen, keeping it from entering the partner’s uterus. Male condoms can only be used once. When used correctly, latex condoms both prevent pregnancy and protect from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Female Condom: Female condoms are a thin plastic tube between two flexible rings that you can insert in your vagina up to eight hours before having sex. Like the male condom, the female condom catches the sperm and should only be used once.
Spermicides: Chemicals that kill the sperm before they can reach the uterus to fertilize an egg. Spermicides come in many different forms, and are usually used in combination with other barrier methods.
Diaphragm and Cervical Cap: Round rubber objects that cover the cervix to prevent sperm from getting through to the uterus. Diaphragms and cervical caps are reusable, but must be fitted by a doctor to make sure you get the right size. You fill either the diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicide and insert it before intercourse. However, the cervical cap is less effective overall than other barrier methods.
Sponge: The sponge contains a spermicide and is placed in the vagina before sex. You have to leave the sponge in for at least six hours after intercourse for it to be effective.
Intrauterine Device (IUD): A plastic or metal T-shaped object that a doctor inserts into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. The IUD is highly effective, and can stay in your uterus for up to 10 years.
Surgical Options: For those who are certain they do not want to have a child or have any more children, there are surgical options to permanently avoid pregnancy. Tubal ligation surgery, commonly known as “getting your tubes tied,” permanently closes the fallopian tubes and prevents fertilization. Your doctor can also block the tubes with an implant inserted through the vagina. For men, a vasectomy closes the pathway for sperm. In general, vasectomies are lower-risk and lower-impact than tubal ligation.
Hormonal Contraception
As the name suggests, hormonal birth control methods use hormones to lower the chance of fertilization and pregnancy. Hormonal methods use estrogen, progestin, or a combination of the two. Many hormonal methods are extremely low maintenance; others require regular action. There are various side effects associated with hormonal methods that can depend on your age, health history, and lifestyle. Dr. Drake can help you decide if one of these contraceptive methods is right for you.
Oral Contraceptives: Better known as “the Pill,” oral contraceptives contain hormones that help prevent fertilization. Most pills use a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. It’s important to take the Pill at the same time every day to maximize effectiveness. There is also a progestin-only version, called the “Mini-Pill,” that can be helpful for women who can’t use estrogen.
Hormonal Vaginal Ring: A plastic ring that releases estrogen and progestin into the vagina. You place the flexible ring into your vagina and keep it there for three weeks. You remove it to have an “off” week and menstruate, and then you start again with a new ring.
Hormonal Patch: A small patch placed directly on the skin that releases estrogen and progestin. You replace the patch every week for three weeks, then you have an “off” week without the patch to menstruate.
Hormonal Injections: Unlike many hormonal methods, the injections only use progestin. Your doctor gives you an injection every three months. If you wish to become pregnant and stop injections, it can take a little longer to conceive, compared with stopping the other methods.
Hormonal Implants: This method is also progestin-only. A doctor inserts a small plastic cylinder gently into your arm. This implant releases small amounts of progestin every day, and is effective for up to three years.
Intrauterine System (IUS): The intrauterine system (IUS) is similar to an IUD, except it releases a gradual amount of progestin. As with the IUD, a doctor places the IUS into your uterus, where it can stay effective for up to five years.
Emergency Contraception: Sometimes referred to as “Plan B.” A series of higher-dose oral contraceptives (birth control pills) that can be used within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Because of the higher dosage and possible barriers to getting it quickly, emergency contraception should not be your main method of birth control.
