Birth control refers to a wide range of methods to prevent pregnancy. Recently doctors have begun to use it to treat other symptoms and issues within the female body, but the original intention is to prevent pregnancy.
Birth control originated in 1950, but within the past decade there has been an increase in production (types and options) and use within teens.
Before exploring its types, intended benefits, possible drawbacks, current research, future plans, and male birth control.
Installment 1: Forms and their Effectiveness
There are many options of birth control available to women through prescription. As of now all users must go through planned parenthood, doctor, or certified medical website to obtain such drug. The diversity in types and purposes has led to a rise in use of birth control.
Implants:
Nexplanon is an implant placed in the upper arm that releases progestin for three years before needing to be replaced. The most common side effect is irregular bleeding for 6-12 months. This is the most effective and easily reversed form of birth control on the market.
An Intrauterine device (IUD) is either a copper or plastic device placed in the uterus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Copper IUDs have been known to cause heavy, painful periods while plastic IUDs with hormones can cause irregular bleeding for 6-12 months. IUDs can go years without needing removal or replacement and are close to 100% effective.
Hormonal:
Oral contraception is the most common amongst teenage girls and there is a wide variety in pill options using different doses in hormones. Some pills use a combination of estrogen and progestin while some pills only use progestin. There are 261 birth control pills on the market as of now.
The patch, a newer form of birth control, is a sticker that is placed on the skin in certain areas and it releases hormones into the bloodstream. It is changed weekly and like the pill, must be used diligently to truly prevent pregnancy.
A vaginal ring is a flexible device that uses progestin and estrogen. It is inserted into a woman’s vagina then taken out after three weeks. It is then left out for one week and this is when women will experience menstrual bleeding. Some rings can be reused for up to a year, but most require women to insert a new ring after each use.
Researchers have found many women struggle to take the pill or change the patch/ring on time, so the effectiveness averages around 91% even though it is supposed to be 99% effective.
An Depo-provera shot (Depo) is essentially a vial of progestin injected into either the upper leg or arm to prevent pregnancy for 12 weeks. More often than not a licensed physician will require this to be done in office, but low doses can sometimes be self-administered. It too is 99% effective when taken 100% correctly.
