Female Contraceptive Methods: What Are the Options?
Published: February 2, 2022 by Maria Dominique Canlas
Last updated on February 17, 2022
Contraceptives, also known as birth control, are methods, medications, or devices used by both men and women to prevent pregnancy. They come in a variety of forms, some of which are more effective than others. A person’s choice of birth control is determined by their health, desire to have children now or in the future, and their need to avoid sexually transmitted infections.
Often referred to as “the pill,” this kind of contraceptive is the most commonly reported method of contraception among those available to women. This birth control pill (a little tablet containing estrogen and progestin) is prescribed by a doctor and should be taken once a day. There are a few diverse types of pills to choose from, so it is about finding the one that is right for you.
Watch the brief animation below to know more about oral contraceptive pills:
Advantages
When used correctly, it is highly effective.
It allows for sexual spontaneity and does not interfere with sexual intercourse.
Other birth control pills can reduce acne in women.
Some of these pills may help avoid painful and heavy periods.
Disadvantages
It is not recommended for women who cannot use estrogen-based contraception.
If you forget to take your medication, it will not be as effective.
It is solely for ladies to use.
It does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Intrauterine Device
The intrauterine device (IUD) is a tiny T-shaped birth control device — typically made of a plastic with some portion covered with exposed copper — that is inserted into a woman's uterus by a skilled healthcare professional to prevent pregnancy. Some IUDs contain hormones called progestin that are gradually released to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Advantages
It is highly effective, with a 98% to 99% success rate over five years of IUD use.
Its effectiveness lasts between 3 to 10 years if unremoved.
It does not interfere with intercourse and can be used as emergency contraception.
It is reversible as fertility returns following discontinuation.
It can be used by women who are on any type of medication.
Disadvantages
A provider needs to insert or remove the IUD.
Menorrhagia (menstrual bleeding for more than a week) is a frequent complaint, so are dysmenorrhea (pain associated with menstruation) and polymenorrhagia (heavy frequent periods).
It does not offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Expulsion of the IUD may occur during or after menstrual periods in the first three months.
While rare, an IUD can slip out of place and need to be removed.
Contraceptive Implant
A small, flexible plastic rod is inserted beneath the skin of a woman's upper arm in this procedure. A progestin is contained in the rod, which is delivered into the body over a three-year period. The hormone prevents the ovary from releasing the egg and thickens cervical mucus to make sperm entry into the womb more difficult. To fit and remove the rod, a simple surgery using local anesthesia is required, and it must be replaced after three years.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Advantages
It possesses high effectiveness of up to 99% within seven days of implant insertion.
Contraceptive implant is an inexpensive method of long-term contraception.
Its efficacy lasts for three years without further intervention.
It can be easily removed to allow pregnancy to occur naturally.
It relieves menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea in many cases and reduces the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Fertility quickly returns within 21 days of implant removal.
Disadvantages
It requires a trained healthcare provider for insertion and removal.
It offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It can sometimes cause the disruption of normal menstruation.
Interaction with medications such as anticonvulsants, certain antibiotics, or St. John’s wort may occur.
Immediate protection may not be available in all situations. Hence, another mode of effective contraception must be used for at least seven days following insertion.
Contraceptive Patch
This type of contraceptive is a square skin patch that can be worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper torso and is prescribed by a doctor. It releases hormones (progestin and estrogen) through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. Once a week for three weeks, the contraceptive patch is changed and placed on the skin, for a total of 21 days. During the fourth week, a patch is not worn to allow menstrual bleeding to occur.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Advantages
It is simple to use.
It can be used by just one partner.
Contraceptive patches are highly effective if used properly, with almost 100% protection.
The patch needs to be applied only once a week.
Its presence can be verified by sight.
The patch does not detach with exposure to water or sweat.
Contraceptive patches may improve bone strength due to the estrogen content, reduce the risk of benign breast diseases, as well as uterine endometrial and ovarian cancers.
Disadvantages
It does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
It must be prescribed by a healthcare provider.
The estrogen levels are higher with the patch than with other hormonal methods.
The return of fertility may be delayed by up to two months after stopping the use of the patch.
Skin irritation may occur in some women.
Diaphragm
A diaphragm is a small, flexible, and reusable dome-shaped cup (made of either latex or silicone) that is inserted into the vaginal canal to prevent sperm from accessing the uterus, serving as a physical barrier between the man's sperm and the woman's egg. After sexual intercourse, the diaphragm must remain in place for at least six hours before being removed and cleaned after each use.
Watch the animation below to learn more:
Advantages
It gives women control over their decisions to become pregnant.
It is safe to use during breastfeeding.
It can be easily carried in a pocket or purse.
It has no effect on hormone levels.
It is 92% to 96% effective at preventing pregnancy and is immediately reversible.
It can be inserted at a convenient time, hours before vaginal intercourse.
It is less invasive than an IUD or hormonal treatment.
Disadvantages
It does not provide reliable protection against STIs.
There is a possibility of the diaphragm moving due to penis size, sexual position, or heavy thrusting.
It needs to be inserted before every act of vaginal intercourse.
Sterilization
Through open or limited invasion surgery, sterilization or tubal ligation is the procedure of entirely removing the body's ability to reproduce. It is a permanent procedure in which the fallopian tubes are permanently blocked or removed, serving as a long-term option for women who are certain that they never want children or do not want to conceive anymore.
Watch the brief animation below to know more about female sterilization:
Advantages
It is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Blocking the fallopian tubes and removal of the tubes is immediately effective, contraception is to be used before the next period.
It does not affect a woman’s sex drive nor interfere with sex.
It does not affect a woman’s hormone levels.
Disadvantages
It does not protect women against STIs.
It cannot be easily reversed.
Although rare, the procedure can fail – the fallopian tubes can rejoin and make a woman fertile again.
There is a very small risk of complications, including internal bleeding, infection, or damage to other organs.
If a woman gets pregnant after the operation, there is an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus.
When choosing the most appropriate contraceptive technique, women must examine a number of factors at each given period in their lives: safety, effectiveness, availability, and acceptability. In addition, contrary to what is available for male individuals, women have a wider selection of contraceptives.
References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, August 13). Contraception. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm National Health Service. (2017, December 21). Female sterilization. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/female-sterilisation/ Office on Women’s Health. (2019, February 14). Birth control methods. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods Queensland Health. (2019, October 9). 9 types of contraception you can use to prevent pregnancy (with pictures!). https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/types-contraception-women-condoms-pill-iud-ring-implant-injection-diaphragm Smith, L. (2017, June 20). All about diaphragm birth control. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295727
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