Birth Control Forum - Many Different Kinds of Birth Control!

Hey there! We get a lot of questions from people asking "my current bc doesn't do what I need it to do, do I have any other options"? The answer is a big huge yes!

Below is a general list of kinds of birth control and quick descriptions.

IUD - Non-Hormonal or Hormonal. Prescription/fitting required. The most commonly known hormonal IUD is Mirena. Mirena and other hormonal IUDs may lighten the period during menstruation. The Copper Coil IUD is non-hormonal. It can sometimes increase menstruation and cramping. Both types are nearly as effective as sterilization. The Copper Coil is great for women who can't use hormones but want very effective birth control. No upkeep is required by the woman once it is in aside from occasionally checking for the strings. No pills to remember!

Implanon and Janelle (Norplant II) - Hormonal, progesterone-only. Prescription and fitting required, including large needles and local anesthetic in some cases. Both Implanon and Janelle are implants inserted under the skin of the upper arm. Janelle has two implants and Implanon has one. Both are effective for five years. Side effects are similar to the Depo shot. Implants are a great choice because they are maintenance free after the insertion site(s) heal.

Depo Provera - Hormonal, progesterone only. Requires a prescription and injection. Depo is the birth control injected for 3 months of protection at a time. Some women gain weight, and a period is usually missing or sporadic. Dizziness can happen initially. This birth control is great because there's nothing to remember for 3 months! Injection usually happens in a large muscle such as the buttocks or stomach. Depo can burn during injection but this goes away very quickly (within moments).

Ring - Hormonal. Prescription required. Small ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month. You take it out for one week to have a period. Low dose of hormones is great for women who have trouble with higher doses. It's also fairly maintenance free for women who have a habit of forgetting pills.

Patch - Hormonal. Prescription required. Similar to the pills, and with similar side effects. As a bonus, you only have to change the patch once a week instead of taking a pill ever day. There have been reports of more blood clots with the patch than other hormonal methods.

Pills - Hormonal. Prescription required. There are hundreds of brands of pills. Some have varying amounts or hormones through out the month to more accurately represent a woman's natural cycle. Some only have on hormone in them. Every brand will affect a woman differently, so women who react badly to one brand shouldn't throw the idea of the pill out the window right away. You do have to be responsible and take a pill every day at the same time.

Cervical Caps - Non-Hormonal. Prescription/fitting required. Inserted into vagina prior to sex, rests against cervix to block entry of sperm. Handy for women who cannot or do not want to use hormones. Often coated in a spermicide.

Diaphragm - Non-Hormonal. A flexible disk that is inserted into vagina prior to sex, preventing sperm from entering the cervix. Same concept as the Cervical Cap. It is often coated in a spermicide prior to insertion.

Condoms - Non-Hormonal. The Only Form Of Birth Control That Also Prevents The Spread Of STDs!!! Condoms, everyone's favorite! Cheap and effective, condoms prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from entering the vagina.

Sponges - Non-Hormonal. A sponge that is inserted into the vagina to absorb sperm and prevent it from entering the uterus. Often coated in spermicide.

Spermicide - Non-Hormonal. A liquid or gel that contains chemicals that kill sperm.

What's not up there? Natural Family Planning, "rhythem", and withdraw method. Why? NFP takes a great deal of time and care on the part of the woman to track her ovulation, and most couples who use this method end up pregnant eventually. Rhythem method is pretty much the same idea as NFP. Withdraw "method" isn't a method at all!