DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. THIS HAS BEEN WRITTEN THROUGH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND EXTENSIVE RESEARCH.
I am proud to admit that I use birth control. It doesn't scare me. It doesn't make me feel ashamed or guilty or embarrassed. It makes me happy to know I use it. I wish other females felt the same. Birth control is a medical blessing and we should feel so lucky to have the availability we have since we live in the United States. I thought I would write something about my history and research on birth control. I've used several methods and researched a ton. Maybe it would help a girl out there who is too afraid to ask or research herself. And sometimes, personal experiences are a little easier to read than a handful of statistics. So below, you will find easy to read and basic information on types of birth control.
Birth control can be used for many reasons other than just preventing pregnancies. Birth control can help aid the following medical conditions: endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, PMS, PMDD, lower cancer risks, fewer and less severe periods and acne treatment. We are lucky enough to have many different types of birth control that all can work in different ways, vary in frequency and in cost. Later, I will discuss how and where you can get these methods.
For me, I started taking birth control in the 8th grade. My periods were so bad, that I would miss school days to lay in bed at home. My doctor suggested I wait to let my period regulate itself, but after a year, there was no relief. I was started on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Low (a "tri-cycle" pill has 3 different levels of hormones it delivers to you throughout the month to better regulate with your natural body levels). This seemed to help A LOT! I was so happy to be on it. I was a sufferer of severe menstrual cramps and this magic pill made them almost unnoticeable. My only problem was that I was 13 years old and not quite responsible enough to remember to take my pill every day. Luckily, this didn't matter because I wouldn't become sexually active for the next several years. But it wasn't really that great for my body. So after about a year and a half, I stopped using birth control. My periods seemed to have regulated out by then, but they were still very heavy and painful.
Later, I needed birth control for it's true purpose. But like many other girls at my age, I was too afraid to ask my parents for help. Fortunately for us in California, there is a wonderful law that allows minors to attain birth control without their parents consent (and to this day, has been successfully fought by Planned Parenthood every year!). So, I did what I felt I had to do. I went to the county health department, made an appointment and before I knew it, I was prescribed a new method of birth control called: NUVA RING (the Nuva Ring is a plastic vaginal ring. It is similar in size to your average hair tie. You insert one in the vagina every month and it delivers effective birth control). I continued to stay on the Nuva Ring for another 5-6 years.
Personally, I LOVED the Nuva Ring! It made me feel great. I hardly had any problems with it. It even made me go up a cup size (also a bonus!). Although, after taking a 3 month break, I didn't use it properly and ended up having an unplanned (and unwanted!) miscarriage. That was my fault and I cannot blame the birth control for that.
I discontinued use after it started to become uncomfortable to me. The ring would sometimes "poke" out and pinch my female parts. That didn't used to happen, but no matter how I tried to position it, it just wouldn't fit right. So, after much research, I switched to Depo (Depo Provera is also known as "The Shot." Depo is injected into your body every 3 months and delivers a powerful punch of birth control. It contains different hormones and affects your body differently). The best part I liked about Depo, is you couldn't screw it up. If you took care of yourself once every three months, you were golden! Sadly, it seems that with more convenience, you make up for it in side-effects. Depo is most known for its awful side-effects: weight gain (average ~10-15 lbs.), guaranteed irregular periods/spotting (after 6-12 months, NO periods), severe headaches, moodiness, increased depression, and the worst is decreased bone density (will eventually lead to Osteoporosis if you don't take Calcium supplements while on the shot). I was on the shot for a total of 6 months (they say give it 6 months to find out how it really affects you). I noticed all of the above side-effects and was not okay with it. So today, I switched to the patch (Ortho-Evra).
Women, something you should know about the hormones in your body: we have 2 major female hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Men have one: testosterone. Our reproductive physiology is a little complicated so here is a basic break down of how they work:
Estrogen: the major hormone for the first ~2 weeks after our period. It is the "growth hormone." Gives you energy, and builds up your endometrial lining (what you shed when you have your period). A spike in level of this hormone causes you to ovulate (release an egg). Makes your cervical mucous (gooey stuff found on your cervix) thin and slimy (so sperm can swim through it). Fun fact: estrogen also raises your body temperature!
Progesterone: the major hormone for the 2 weeks after you ovulate. It is the "maintenance hormone." Makes you a little sluggish and maintains the endometrial lining (adds the "finishing touches"). Makes your cervical mucous thick and sticky (so sperm can't get through it).
*when both of these hormone levels drop, THAT is when you have the week of your period!
So with that said, here is an easy to follow guide to what the major methods of birth control are and how they affect you (keep in mind these are not ALL the methods!):
- The Pill (combination pill): has BOTH estrogen and progesterone. Works by "masking" the spike in estrogen (preventing you from ovulating). Also thickens cervical mucous. Must take the pill everyday. DO NOT TAKE IF YOU SMOKE CIGARETTES OR ARE BREASTFEEDING.
- The Patch: contains the same hormones and works the same as the pill. Place one patch on your skin once a week (3 patches a month, then wait a week for your period). DO NOT TAKE IF YOU SMOKE CIGARETTES OR ARE BREASTFEEDING.
- Nuva Ring: contains the same hormones and works the same as the pill. Insert one ring every 3 weeks (then wait a week for your period). DO NOT TAKE IF YOU SMOKE CIGARETTES OR ARE BREASTFEEDING.
- "Mini" Pill: contains only progesterone. Works by thickening cervical mucous as primary effect. Secondary effect is to prevent ovulation. Must take the same TIME every DAY (VERY important!). May cause decreased bone density. Can take if you smoke cigarettes or are breastfeeding.
- Depo Provera (the shot): contains only progesterone. Works primarily by preventing ovulation and secondarily by thickening cervical mucous. Injected once every three months in hip or shoulder. May cause decreased bone density, weight gain, depression, delayed return of fertility, hair loss. BUT it helps reduce endometrial cancer, and decreases risk of seizures in epileptic women. Can take if you smoke cigarettes or are breastfeeding.
- Implanon (implant): contains only progesterone. Works the same as Depo. Very small rod inserted under the skin in the arm for up to 3 years. Similar side-effects as Depo. Can take if you smoke cigarettes or are breastfeeding.
- Mirena (IUD): IUD = intrauterine device. contains only progesterone. Works primarily by 1) prevents ovulation, 2) thickens cervical mucous, 3) encourages white blood cells (part of immune system) to attack and kill sperm, eggs and small embryos. Inserted every 5 years. CONS: hurts to put in (they dilate your cervix), increased risk of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and can puncture the uterus (ouch!). Can take if you smoke cigarettes or are breastfeeding.
- Paragard (IUD): NON-HORMONAL. Contains copper. Works by encouraging white blood cells to attack and kill sperm and eggs. Inserted every 10 years. Can be inserted right after childbirth! CONS: hurts to put in, increased PID, uterine punctures, heavier periods, and more painful menstrual cramps. Can take if you smoke or are breastfeeding.
Effectiveness:
Out of 100 women, the following % will become pregnant (based off of TYPICAL* use):
- The Pill: 8% (.3% with PERFECT use) *skipping a day, etc
- The Patch: 8% (.3% with PERFECT use) *forgetting to change patch, etc
- Nuva Ring: 8% (.3% with PERFECT use) *forgetting to keep ring in, etc
- "Mini" Pill: 8% (.3% with PERFECT use) *forgetting same time every day, etc
- Depo: 3% (.3% with PERFECT use) *not getting shot in exact time frame, etc
- Implanon: .05% (same as perfect use)
- Mirena: .2% (same as perfect use)
- Paragard: .8% (.6% with PERFECT use)
I haven't included condoms, diaphragms, female condoms, etc because I feel those are great for STI protection. PLEASE NOTE THAT NONE OF THE METHODS I HAVE TALKED ABOUT ABOVE WILL PROTECT YOU AGAINST SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS!!!!!!!! These are just the methods that I am most familiar with. If you would like to know about more methods, I encourage you to do your own research.
I also highly recommend using Planned Parenthood's "My Method." It is a quiz to help find the top 3 methods for you based on your lifestyle and preferences. It is totally anonymous and can be found here: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/all-access/my-method-26542.htm
If you can't afford birth control, there is still a way for you to get it for reduced cost or for free. Planned Parenthood and other organizations are available. Do your research in your area and see what you can find. Don't be afraid to ask me, I would be more than willing to help you.
I hope this was helpful to some. Please write me a message and let me know if you found this useful! :o) Happy Preventing or Parenting (whatever floats your boat!)
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