Contraceptive medications and devices have helped many avoid unwanted pregnancies. There are a variety of contraceptive systems in existence. Check out this list of six types of contraception methods.
1. Pills
Pills are hormonal forms of contraception. There is the combined pill and the progestogen-only pill. When used perfectly, pills are 99% effective. In addition to preventing pregnancy, a woman can use pills to regulate her menstrual cycle. Some pills can lighten a woman’s period, and others can help her skip them altogether. Note that there are also emergency contraception pills available on the market.
2. Rings
A hormonal kind of contraception, rings are 99% effective when utilized flawlessly. Many prefer this method of contraception because it requires very little maintenance. A woman can replace her ring every three weeks to a month, as opposed to dealing with it every day as she would birth control pills. Also, many like rings because they release low doses of hormones, resulting in fewer side effects compared to other birth control methods.
3. Patches
Patches look like square-shaped band-aids. A patch is placed on the skin and can last for one week. It is a hormonal system that impedes a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs. A plethora of people like patches because they require much less work than birth control pills. People who smoke and are over the age of 35 or those who weigh more than 198 pounds should refrain from using patches. It could lead to complications for smokers, and it likely will not be effective for those with a BMI that is equal to or more than 30.
4. Implants
Contraceptive implants are inserted into the upper arm area of a woman’s body. These devices resemble thin rods. They are more than 99% effective. A multitude of women are attracted to implants because they last for over three years. They do not need to be maintained on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. They are also attracted to them because they do not contain estrogen, which some women have to avoid taking since it can worsen their preexisting health conditions.
5. Injections
Birth control shots are administered every 13 weeks. They provide women with certain health issues, such as seizures, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, sickle cell disease, and anemia, with a birth control option that is safer for them than many of the other methods out there. Birth control injections are over 99% effective. They have been known to decrease menstrual pain or stop a woman from experiencing menstruation altogether.
6. IUDs
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a plastic, T-shaped object that can impede insemination. It is inserted into a woman’s uterus. There are hormonal IUDs as well as copper-based ones. Women all over the world have gravitated toward these devices because they are over 99% effective and are incredibly long-lasting. Some IUDs can last up to up to ten years.
In this day and age, many contraceptive methods are well-formulated and highly advanced. Sexually active women should take advantage of them to protect their health and livelihood.