What Are The Best Contraception Methods?
Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash
Contraception is all about birth control and consists of using a method to avoid pregnancy.
While contraception was forbidden until the 1960s in the USA, UK or France, there is today a myriad of products to choose from to control your fertility!
How does contraception work?
Using a contraception device allows you to be sexually active without the risk (well, almost) of conceiving a child. Indeed, as you probably know, a woman can get pregnant during her fertile period when the sperm (released during ejaculation) reaches her eggs (released by the ovaries).
Contraception works by stopping this process with different methods: either by separating the sperm and the eggs, by interrupting ovulation or by preventing the fertilized egg from attaching to the womb's lining, called the implementation process.
However, most contraception methods won't protect you against STIs: condoms are the only safe barrier for this matter.
What are the best contraception methods?
When choosing the best contraception for you, there are different concerns to think about: rates of failure, STIs protection, side effects, influence on fertility in the long run, your ability in remembering to take your contraception every day, and more.
Essentially, there is no best or worst method. It all depends on your needs: your body will probably react differently than your friend's, even if you use the same contraceptive method.
We've listed the best contraception methods, classified by typology. However, it's not an exhaustive list as I'll leave behind the following techniques:
Spermicide: when used alone, it's only 74% effective and results in 18% of unwanted pregnancies
Withdrawal: 78% effective only
Abstinence: clearly, it's the only sure way to avoid getting pregnant, but it means you have to stay clear of penis/vagina penetration!
Sterilization: the most permanent option
Hormonal methods of contraception
The contraceptive pills
The combined pill
How does it work?
This pill contains two female hormones: estrogen and progesterone, which are naturally produced by the ovaries. Taking these hormones stops the ovaries from releasing an egg every month, makes the mucus inside the womb thicker, preventing the sperm from reaching an egg, and lowers the chances of implementation.
How to use it?
The pill needs to be taken orally every day (for 21 days) around the same time. After that, there is a seven-day break during which you'll have your periods.
Effectiveness?
Perfect use: 99%. Typical use: 92-97%.
Pros
Easy to use
It can relieve you from painful periods and PMS
It can help to give regularity to your periods
Cons
You have to remember to take it every day at the same time
Taking hormones can cause side effects including mood swings, nausea, breast tenderness and headaches
It doesn't protect against STIs
If you're sick (vomit or diarrhea) this contraceptive might not work because it's absorbed by the stomach
The progestogen-only pill
How does it work?
As its name suggests, this pill contains only one hormone: progestogen. It doesn't stop the ovulation but changes the mucus consistency at the entrance of the uterus, so the sperm can't reach the egg.
How to use it?
Same as the combined pill, except that there is no seven-day break. This pill needs to be taken every single day of the month.
Effectiveness?
Perfect use: 99%. Typical use: 92-97%.
Pros
Same as the combined pill
It's possible to take it while breastfeeding
It can be used by those who can't use contraception with estrogen
Cons
Same as the combined pill
The contraceptive injection
How does it work?
It consists of an injection of progestogen, which creates the same effects as the pill.
How to use it?
Injection in your bottom, abdomen, thigh or upper arm.
Effectiveness?
The contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective and lasts from 8 to 13 weeks.
Pros
Great for women who tend to forget the pill
Long term method to renew once every three months
It can be used by those who can't use contraception with estrogen
It may ease periods and PMS
Cons
Some women can experience side effects, such as mood changes, stomach aches, headaches
It can change the flow and regularity of your periods
It can take up to one year for your fertility to become normal again
It doesn't protect against STIs
The contraceptive skin implant
How does it work?
The implant is a small plastic rod that releases progestogen in your bloodstream, to avoid the monthly production of eggs.
How to use it?
It's implanted under the skin on the upper arm, once every three years.
Effectiveness?
The implant is more than 99% effective.
Pros
Long-lasting method: there is no need to take it every day and does not interrupt sex
It can be used by those who can't use contraception with estrogen
It can be removed anytime and your fertility comes back to normal right away
Initially more costly than other methods
Cons
Like for every hormonal method, some women can experience side effects: changing periods, mood swings, weight gain, headaches, nausea, breast tenderness
It doesn't protect against STIs
Insertion can be painful
The emergency pill
How does it work?
The morning-after pill delays ovulation.
How to use it?
The pill has to be taken orally as early as possible after unprotected sex, and within 3 to 5 days.
Effectiveness?
The pill can be up to 89% effective.
Pros
An effective method in case of emergency
Available to buy at the pharmacy without prescription
Cons
It needs to be taken as soon as possible to be truly effective
It can't be used as a main contraception method
If you're sick (vomit or diarrhea) this contraceptive might not work because it's absorbed by the stomach
It doesn't protect against STIs
The contraceptive patch
How does it work?
It's a sticky patch that releases estrogen and progesterone in your body. It works in the same way as the combined pill.
How to use it?
It simply needs to be applied to your skin and changed every week. After three weeks, you should have a seven-day break to get your periods.
Effectiveness?
Perfect use: 99%. Typical use: 92%.
Pros
Easy to use, and you don't need to think about it every day
Contrary to the pill, it works even if you're sick
It can help to ease your periods and PMS
Cons
It's visible
It doesn't protect against STIs
It can be itchy
You need to remember to change it every week
There are possible side effects: such as headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood changes
The vaginal ring
How does it work?
It's a small plastic ring that contains estrogen and progesterone. These hormones block the process of releasing an egg each month and thickens the cervical mucus.
How to use it?
You can place it yourself in your vagina, and leave it there for three weeks. Then, you need to remove it for one week to have your periods.
Effectiveness?
Perfect use: 99%. Typical use: 92%.
Pros
Easy to put in and take out by yourself
Efficient during one month
It doesn't influence your fertility in the long term
It may help with your periods and PMS
Cons
It's for those who feel comfortable with their anatomy
In rare cases, it can get expelled from the body
It may cause side effects, such as increased vaginal discharge, headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood changes
It doesn't protect against STIs
You need to remember to take it out after 21 days
Barrier methods
The male condom
How does it work?
A condom is a device generally made of latex, used as a barrier between sperm and eggs. Indeed, by collecting the sperm, spermatozoids don't get the chance to reach the fallopian tubes.
How to use it?
A man needs to wear it on his erect penis, just before penetration. It's a single-use item.
Effectiveness?
Perfect use: 98%. Typical use: 84%.
Pros
No need for a prescription: you can buy condoms in pharmacies and supermarkets
It's the only way to be protected against STIs and pregnancy at the same time
To use only when needed
Almost no side effects
Cons
You need to have condoms at all times on you
It can break or slip off
It's single-use
Latex or other additives can provoke allergies
Some say that using condoms doesn't feel the same as a skin to skin contact
The female condom
How does it work?
Same as male condoms.
How to use it?
It needs to be inserted in your vagina before any contact with a penis.
Effectiveness?
Perfect use: 95%. Typical use: 79%.
Pros
Same as male condoms
Cons
Same as male condoms
It can get pushed inside the vagina during sex
The penis may pass between the condom and the vagina during penetration, which lowers the device's efficiency
It can be more expensive than male condoms
The diaphragm & the cervical cap
How does it work?
It's a silicon cap that works as a barrier: it blocks the sperm from reaching an egg. The cervical cap is a smaller version of the diaphragm.
How to use it?
It needs to be placed inside the vagina (at the entrance of the uterus) before intercourse. To be efficient, the cap needs to stay there for at least 6 hours and be combined with a spermicide gel that kills sperm.
Effectiveness?
If used correctly with spermicide, it's 92-96% effective. Typical use: 60-80%.
Pros
It's reusable: you simply need to wash it before further usage
To use only when needed
Almost no side effects
Cons
It can take time to handle it correctly
It might be difficult for some women to insert
It doesn't protect against STIs
Not as efficient as other contraception methods
Some women have developed bladder infections after use
Spermicides have been linked to vaginal irritation
Intrauterine devices
The intrauterine device (IUD)
How does it work?
It's a small device that releases copper, which alters the implementation process and sperm cells movements. In this way, spermatozoids can't reach the egg, making it harder for a fertilized egg to develop.
How to use it?
It's placed into the uterus by a nurse or doctor, and you can keep it from 5 to 10 years.
Effectiveness?
A copper IUD is more than 99% effective.
Pros
One of the most effective methods
Hormone-free
Can be used as an emergency contraceptive
Long-lasting method
Does not interrupt sex
Effective right after putting it, and you can get pregnant as soon as you take it off
You can have it placed four weeks after birth, and doesn't influence breastfeeding
Cons
It can be painful when placed
It can influence the flow, pain and length of your periods
It doesn't protect against STIs
More expensive than other methods
Intrauterine system (IUS)
How does it work?
It's a similar T-shaped device that releases progestogen, instead of copper. It works the same as other hormonal methods.
How to use it?
Same as the IUD, and it lasts for five years.
Effectiveness?
The progestogen IUD is more than 99% effective.
Pros
Same as the copper IUD
Cons
Your periods might be affected
Side effects related to hormones: headaches, acne and breast tenderness
Natural methods
The rhythm method
How does it work?
Also called the fertility awareness method, it's about observing and tracking signs of fertility. In this way, you can avoid having sex on your most fertile days.
How to use it?
The tracking is done through daily observation of your temperature (it rises during ovulation) and your cervical mucus (which changes texture), as well as the length of the menstrual cycle.
Effectiveness?
Perfect use: 99%. Typical use: 76%.
Pros
You don't have to take anything: it's entirely natural!
Hormone-free and side effect free
It makes you more aware of your body
It can also be used to get pregnant
Cons
You need to be very attentive
There are more risks of getting pregnant compared to other methods
It doesn't protect against STIs
You have to use a condom or abstinence during fertile days
It takes a few months to get used to the technique
As you probably noticed, almost all contraceptive methods are made for the female body. Even though their arrival on the market materialized a significant move towards women's liberation, contraception is nevertheless a burden that sits on their shoulders most of the time.
In other words: the mental, financial, and health-related issues are for them to take care of.
We hope for the future that men will have more opportunities to have access to contraception, other than condoms and permanent sterilization.
Indeed, male contraception could help taking gender equality to the next level: both men and women could be responsible for their fertility!
But even if we don't hear much about it, it's already a reality. Many prototypes successfully passed safety tests, from gels, daily pills to injections, and reversible sterilization. We could explain this slow progress to make it really happen by the lack of interest from pharmaceutical companies...
In the meantime, we encourage men to also care about contraception, share potential costs as well as women's worries linked to this matter...
Believe me, your girlfriend will appreciate it. ♥︎
References & Numbers
Your contraception guide, by the NHS in the UK
Birth control method comparison chart, by the American Sexual Health Association
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