
Birth Control Effectiveness: Is Birth Control Good for You?
There are various contraceptive alternatives, and the one you pick is a very personal choice. Birth control tablets are an option for those who are sexually active and have a higher chance of getting pregnant.
Pills used orally to prevent conception are known as birth control pills or oral contraceptives. The Food and Drug Administration has stated that intake of these pills is 01% effective and offers only a 9% chance of failure. So, you can have their intake as per your convenience and body requirements.
- Birth control patches and vaginal rings are lesser-known hormonal contraceptive options offering weekly or monthly protection.
- Male birth control pills are under development, aiming to provide reversible contraception for men.
- The morning-after pill is less effective in individuals weighing over 165 pounds due to metabolic factors.
- Birth control can potentially reduce the severity of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms.
- Non-hormonal birth control gels, such as Phexxi, work by maintaining vaginal acidity to block sperm.
- Long-term use of birth control pills may contribute to a slight reduction in bone density.
Find out whether birth control pills are right for you by learning about their functioning and the possible adverse effects.
History of Birth Control
Two hundred years ago, a Greek gynecologist ‘Soranus’ stated that a woman certainly becomes fertile during ovulation. Meanwhile, he suggested some ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies;
- Smearing olive oil around the vagina
- Use of pomegranate pulp, ginger, or tobacco juice around the vagina to kill sperm
Besides sexual abstinence, different ayurvedic treatments were used to control birth. Some Egyptian women used herbal and acid substances like crocodile dung, honey, and olive oil on the vaginal surface to kill the sperm.
Birth control pills were introduced in the 1960s. In 1950, the Planned Parenthood Federation of the US asked Dr. Gregory Pincus to discover a safe and effective oral contraceptive pill. He did experiments on 6000 women who were residents of Haiti and Puerto Rico. After those trials, the commercially acceptable birth control pill ‘Envoid-10’ was introduced to women in the USA.
The first oral contraceptive pill was formed with two hormones named ‘estrogen’ in the range from 75 to 100 micrograms and Progestin 10mg. This combination was declared as 99% effective.
After this, women take this as a birth control pill. This has led to the use of birth control pills by 18 million women in the US.
Types of Birth Control Pills
Conversely, to the birth control pills used in the past, today’s pills are more beneficial, cost-effective, and safe. A woman can use these pills without the risk of any complications. Some of their available classes include;
Progestin Only Pills (POP)
These are also known as mini-pills, which contain no estrogen in their composition. These are particularly suggested for lactating women. The reason is that estrogen reduces the production of milk.
This class works with the thickening of cervical mucus, thus preventing the sperm from entering the uterus.
Combination Birth Control Pills
These are widely known birth control pills containing both estrogen and progestin. These oral contraceptive pills come in two packs. One contains 21 active pills, and the other includes seven placebos, which do not have any hormones. These pills are also known as ‘Reminder Pills.’
This class is further classified into three groups based on the levels of estrogen and progestin in their composition.
Monophasic Birth Control Pills
In this class, every active pill contains equal amounts of estrogen and progestin, while the placebo contains no hormones. Menstruation starts when a woman takes these placebo pills.
2. Multiphasic Birth Control Pills
These pills are also known as biphasic or triphasic based on the levels of estrogen and progestin in active pills. These are recommended to be taken at a specific time during the course. Lastly, this group minimizes the risk of oral contraceptive pills.
3. Continuous Birth Control Pills
These are also known as 365 day’s pills and are advised to be taken throughout the year. This advanced version of oral contraceptive pills is new on the market. The food and drug administration (FDA) has recommended Lybrel as a safe birth control pill for every woman.
If a woman takes Lybrel, she does not find menstruation but gets spotting or little bleeding initially.
Emergency Birth Control Pills
Another name of this class is ‘Morning after Pills.’ These pills are used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. It is recommended to have these pills right after 24 hours or 72 hours of unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy.
This class is also useful for women who are sexually assaulted. FDA has declared the use of emergency birth control pills as Plan B.
And, now, plan B can be safely purchased from pharmacies. And it is effectively used by girls above the age of 18.
Factors Affecting the Choice of Birth Control Pills
Though pills are a better option for birth control, they are not equally safe for everyone. So, always take them after getting a prescription from the physician. Some factors which influence the choice of these pills include;
Menstruation
If a woman feels heavy menstrual bleeding, she should use progestin-only rather than a combination pill.
Breastfeeding
A lactating mother should avoid taking estrogen-containing pills. The reason is that estrogen affects milk production.
Cardiovascular Health
Suppose a woman is a heart patient. For example, if she has a history of stroke or deep vein thrombosis, she should go with the intake of those oils that contain only progestin.
Other Medical Conditions
Oral contraceptives are not preferred under certain medical conditions. Like;
- Breast or endometrial cancer
- Migraine with aura
- Heart anomalies
So, talk to your healthcare professional and inform him of your complete medical history to get an accurate description.
Interaction of other Medications
If a woman takes antibiotics or herbal medications, she should not take combination pills. Intake of certain antiviral drugs and epilepsy medications may also interact with birth control pills. So, a woman should know about such occasions.
Pros of Birth Control Pills
- Prevent unwanted pregnancy most effective than any other method
- They help in regulating the menstrual cycle, particularly for those with heavy periods
- They are reversible. If you stop taking them, you can continue to conceive.
Cons of Birth Control Pills
Though they may appear safe, their intake may trigger some birth control side effects like:
- Nausea, breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings usually return to normal after 2 to 3 months.
- Improper vaginal bleeding or spotting may occur. This is common in the first few months and returns to normal.
Need for Birth Control
Birth control uses additional measures to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse. It is the use of a condom, spermicides, and other devices for birth control and is a divisive topic regardless of perspective.
According to modern perspectives, these methods are essential for family planning. The main idea is to prevent initial fertilization rather than abortion, which is completely unethical. So, its perspective is two-fold.
HIV & AIDS
The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is another major element of increased urgency for contraception. Globally, 38 million individuals are living with AIDS or are HIV positive. One in every five individuals is HIV positive in seven African nations. Therefore, birth control measures have become essential to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in these nations.
The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in these nations is expected to drop by 35% by 2025. It will cut life expectancy in the states by an average of 29 years. So, birth control can prove effective this way.
Easy to Perform and Carry
Birth control pills are easy, but don’t forget that their daily intake can be hard. Conveniently, these pills are available in small packs, so you can easily carry them wherever you go.
The pill is a method of contraception that does not need extra planning or attention during sexual activity. If you take the pill as directed, you won’t have to worry about becoming pregnant at any time.
Since taking the pill, it has nothing to do with conception and sexual interruption.
Birth control tablets are only available with a doctor’s or nurse’s prescription. However, bulk purchases or postal orders for many packs may be possible. Birth control pills may even be available for online purchase in certain regions.
Higher Population Growth
A combination of factors, including a rise in global awareness of HIV/AIDS and the need to address a rapidly expanding human population, has prompted renewed interest in contraception.
With a yearly growth rate of 76 million, the world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, from the estimated roughly 6.4 billion.
Within the next two decades, China and India, the world’s two most populous nations, are projected to achieve populations of 1.5 billion. This is more than one-third of the global population at that time.
This “population boom” poses a serious threat to global stability. Thus, countries, especially those with large populations, are urged by the United Nations to implement population control measures.
Birth Control Types
Whenever you choose to have birth control, discuss it with your healthcare provider and partner first. These processes are effective only when you apply them properly. Thus, get a complete guide about the method, risks, and birth control complications.
Some of the common birth control types include:
Use of Condoms
It is an effective method that prevents sperm from entering the uterus. It can be applied every time while doing sexual intercourse. These condoms are plastic, or latex coverings rolled over the naked penis. These plastic coverings prevent sperm fluid from entering the vagina.
One drawback is that these condoms rupture easily, making the process less effective than other potential methods.
However, if they don’t rupture and are worn properly during sex, the chances of pregnancy are minimized to 85%.
Hormonal Medications
These medications are used to stop ovulation or change the conditions of the cervix or uterus. They have two primary classes; one is short-acting pills that are recommended daily. And the other is a long-acting class that contains pills inserted into the arm.
Sterilization
It’s a surgical method that is used to permanently stop the chances of getting pregnant. There are different surgeries available for both males and females. So, if a woman wants to eliminate the chances of pregnancy, she can go for sterilization.
Awareness of Fertility
This is a sort of family planning and uses natural methods to prevent pregnancy.
Emergency Contraception
If birth control pills fail, a woman can go for emergency contraception. It is supposed to be the last safety measure against unwanted pregnancy.
Abstinence
It is a simple way of avoiding sex. Avoidance of sex or doing it in safe ways dramatically minimizes the risk of unwanted pregnancies.
Most Effective Way of Birth Control
The most appropriate method of birth control is abstinence. This is the complete avoidance of sex. Though it’s hard to maintain specifically for newly married couples, that’s why it’s advised to keep the backup of birth control pills in mind.
All methods of birth control are effective if they are properly applied. Those are usually more effective, don’t require any maintenance, and are easy to perform. These may include sterilization, birth control implant, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).
Some others may include the use of condoms during sex and taking hormonal medications meanwhile.
Fertility awareness is the least effective method of all. So, discuss this with your healthcare professional every time before taking any measures.
Factors to Consider Before Taking Birth Control
Always choose the birth control process after considering these essentials. Like;
- Comfort level
- Effectiveness of process
- Protection against HIV & AIDS
- Age and overall health
- Associated complications
- Plans for pregnancy
- Number of sex and partners involved
- Privacy, e.g., how important is it to keep the birth control process a secret
Takeaway
Through public awareness initiatives, various birth control methods have been made for young people and adults. To attract target populations, contraception campaigns should be made. The quotations of these campaigns should be customized and interactive.
However, campaigners for birth control in the future may find these elements useful as they plan and execute future campaigns.
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