Types of Prescription Birth Control

If you are looking for an effective way to prevent pregnancy, prescription birth control methods may be right for you. There are numerous different types of prescription birth control available, so everyone should be able to find at least one suitable option that will meed their needs. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to thoroughly discuss options with your doctor before deciding whether the specific product is right for you.

Pill

There are numerous choices of birth control pills available. Some only contain progesterone, while others contain a combination of both progesterone and estrogen. According to the American Pregnancy Association, birth control pills are about 99 percent effective when the instructions are properly followed. Due to women missing pills or not starting a pack on time, the rate of effectiveness is closer to 93 to 97 percent on average.

Shot

If you have trouble remembering to take a pill everyday, the birth control shot may be for you. This shot contains the synthetic hormone progestin, and effectively prevents pregnancy for up to three months. The effectiveness rate for the birth control shot is over 99 percent when used accurately, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

Patch

The birth control patch is a small patch that is placed directly on the skin. You place the patch somewhere on your body, and forget about it for the week. When the week is up, you switch out the old patch for a new one. After this is done for three consecutive weeks, you leave a patch off for a week to get your period and start a new cycle. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the patch is about 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

Vaginal Ring

The vaginal ring is a flexible, plastic ring that is inserted in the vagina to prevent pregnancy. The ring contains synthetic hormones, which are absorbed inside the vagina, effectively preventing pregnancy for three weeks. At the end of the three weeks, the ring is removed for menstruation. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the vaginal ring is about 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly.

IUDs (Intra-Uterine Device)

IUDs are small devices containing either copper or hormones. They are inserted into the uterus by your doctor. Depending on the type, an IUD can remain inside of a woman to effectively prevent pregnancy for five or 10 years. The IUD has less than a 1 percent failure rate, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

Diaphragm

A diaphragm is another type of barrier method of birth control. It is small and dome-shaped and is placed in the vagina before sexual intercourse to block the cervix and prevent sperm from being able to reach the egg. In addition for seeing a doctor to get a prescription for the diaphragm, the doctor will also have to do a procedure in the office to properly fit the diaphragm. The American Pregnancy Association states that the diaphragm has a 5 percent failure rate for perfect and consistent use, but the average failure rate is much higher at about 18 percent.

Cervical Cap

According the American Pregnancy Association, the cervical cap is not recommended and not often prescribed anymore. It states the cervical cap has a failure rate of about 20 percent, even when properly used. In addition, there are many other disadvantages, including the possibility of it becoming stuck and requiring a doctor to remove it, as well as contributing to increased urinary tract infections and cervical changes. However, it is reusable, relatively inexpensive and may not hinder the sexual experience as much as some other birth control options.

References

• American Pregnancy Association
• FHI.org
• ACOG..org

Resources

• PlannedParenthood.com
• BirthControl.com
• Birth Control Comparison