By Nyasia Rivera, Staff Writer
DISCLAIMER: This article is primarily about pregnancy prevention. As of the publication of this article, the only contraceptives that can prevent STDs are condoms and abstinence.
When talking about sex, whether it be with your friends or partners, it can be easy to get swept up in the conversations about different positions or fetishes. However, we often forget that sex, specifically unprotected, can lead to both pregnancy and STDs. From the media we consume to incompetent sex-ed courses, birth control is a topic that can be left out or embarrassing to talk about.
In shows and movies, there is little to no discussion about pills, IUDs, or condoms. And if there is, it’s usually condoms and the scene that is used includes one of the following: 1. a shady pharmacy or gas station, 2. horrendous fluorescent lighting that’s straight out the ’80s, or 3. an awkward exchange with a creepy customer or cashier who’s staring our character down with unwavering eye contact. It’s all made out to be shameful and disconcerting when that is not at all the case.
There are a plethora of other reasons why the idea of birth control might overwhelm you. There are many different types, including the pill, IUDs, patches, injections, implants, and more. You might want to take birth control without your parents knowing. Some are an everyday task, while others can be one-and-done. Regardless of your situation, I’m here to help explain the different methods of birth control you can use, as well as sort them by their effectiveness and convenience!
The following information about the listed contraceptives was obtained from Planned Parenthood. To learn more in-depth information about contraceptives, go to www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control
- Birth control implant – 99% effective
The contraceptive implant, also known as Nexplanon, is a small, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. When you get the implant, a nurse or doctor will numb a small area on your arm (usually the underside) so that you do not feel any pain when the implant is embedded. A needle is then inserted into your arm and the implant is lodged under your skin. The implant releases a hormone called progestin into your body that can prevent pregnancy in two ways:
- Progestin thickens the mucus on your cervix, which stops sperm from swimming through to fertilize an egg. No fertilized eggs mean no pregnancy.
- Progestin can also stop eggs from leaving your ovaries (called ovulation), so there are no eggs to fertilize. When there are no eggs, you cannot get pregnant.
After inserting, the implant can last for up to five years, so this would be a good option if you’re the type of person who might not remember to take a pill every day. The implant can also lighten or completely get rid of your period: 1 in 3 women report their period stopping after a year. There are no trips to the pharmacy or doctor unless you have a problem with it or wish to have it removed.
Speaking of having it removed, the implant is reversible. Therefore, if you want to get pregnant, all you have to do is schedule an appointment for removal. And after giving birth, you can get the implant again to prevent pregnancy with a newborn without it affecting your breastfeeding!
Overall: This contraceptive is a great choice if you want to try birth control for the first time. It’s low-maintenance, convenient, and private since no one knows about it but you!
2. IUD (Intrauterine Device) – 99% effective
An IUD is a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. There are two types of iuds: copper IUDs and hormonal iuds. For copper iuds, the plastic is wrapped in a tiny bit of copper, and it can protect you from pregnancy for up to 12 years. For hormonal IUDs, they use the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. IUDs prevent pregnancy by changing the way sperm cells move so they can’t get to an egg.
- Copper is toxic to sperm. The IUD makes the uterus and fallopian tubes produce fluid that kills sperm. Copper ions decrease the sperm’s ability to move and prevent the sperm from passing through the cervical mucus and going on to fertilize an egg.
- Hormonal IUDs use progestin in the same way that the implant does. It thickens the mucus in your cervix to prevent sperm from swimming through, and can also block you from ovulating.
Depending on the brand that you use, you could be protected between 3 to 12 years. The copper IUD can also be used as an emergency contraceptive! You can have a copper IUD inserted into you up to five days after unprotected sex to block a pregnancy. It’s more than 99.9% effective. The only other form of contraceptive this effective is the morning after pill, AKA Plan B.
Same as the implant, you can get pregnant directly after IUD removal, as it does not permanently affect your fertility. And if you’ve already had a baby, you can get either a hormonal or copper IUD without it affecting your breastfeeding.
Because of the wide variety of IUDs available, this would be one of, if not my first recommendation if you’ve never taken birth control before. Obviously talk with your doctor or gynecologist before getting an IUD, since everybody’s needs are different, and they may not be covered in this article. Regardless, the IUD is one of, if not the perfect birth control method for college students since it’s low maintenance and doesn’t need to be replaced for years at a time!
3. Birth control patch – 91-99% effective
The birth control patch is a small sticky patch, like a Band-Aid, that you can put on your stomach, butt, or back. There are two different brands of patches: Xulane and Twirla. The Xulane patch can be placed in any of the locations listed above, and can also be placed on the upper arm.
One of the downsides of using the patch is that it has to be replaced weekly, and sometimes you can experience difficulty in keeping the patch on your body. For example, if you start the patch on a Monday, then you’d have to continually change your patch each Monday. Sometimes the patch can dislodge from your skin if it’s constantly rubbing up against clothing or if it’s submerged in water for more than 30 minutes. If the patch becomes unstuck from your skin, contact your doctor immediately.
- The patch contains both the hormones estrogen and progestin. The patch uses progestin in the same way that the implant and IUD does. It thickens the mucus in your cervix to prevent sperm from swimming through, and can also prevent you from ovulating.
The patch has other benefits besides averting pregnancy, and your doctor may recommend the patch if you are suffering from any of the following conditions: acne, bone thinning, anemia, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and/or PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). If you believe that the patch could benefit you, be sure to talk to your doctor about the benefits and disadvantages of using the patch.
Unlike the implant and IUD, it can take a little bit to get pregnant if you decide to go off the patch. After you stop using the patch, it usually takes 1-2 months for your periods to return to the cycle you had before you started using it. Once in a while, people have irregular periods or no periods at all for up to 6 months.
This is more likely if your periods were irregular before you started the patch. Even if your period doesn’t come back right away, it’s still possible to get pregnant when you’re not using the patch. Therefore, if you don’t want to get pregnant, be sure to use condoms during sex or seek out another form of birth control.
Since nobody is perfect, it’s nearly impossible for the patch to be 99% effective because of the fact that you need to replace it weekly, on the same day, at the same time. Because of that, the true effectiveness of the patch hovers around 91%. Because we all live very different lives with different schedules, this method may not be friendly towards everyone and their daily routine.
Not to mention, if you are forgetful, you may forget to replace your patch weekly. However, if you believe that the advantages outweigh the risks, then this may be the method for you. Because you have to follow a strict schedule with replacing your patch, definitely talk to your doctor and try to figure out a weekly routine that works for both you and your patch.
4. Birth control pill – 91-99% effective
The birth control pill (also called “The Pill”) is another form of hormonal contraceptive. Birth control pills come in a pack, and you take one pill every day. The Pill is safe, affordable, and effective if you always take your pill on time. A few ways to help remind you to take your pill might be:
- Keeping it somewhere close to something you use everyday, like your toothbrush
- Keeping your pills in a bag so they’re easy to transport
- Using an alarm set to a specific time everyday
- Having your partner or roommates remind you
Most birth control pills are “combination pills” containing a mix of both estrogen and to progestin to prevent ovulation. The word progestin has come up a lot in this article, but let’s cover it one more time in case you forgot:
- The Pill works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones in the Pill can also sometimes affect the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the wall of the uterus.
Taking The Pill can be very easy and convenient since the packs are very small–only about the size of a phone–so you could put it inside of a purse or bag and transport it with ease if you’re not going to be home in time to take it. You also don’t need to worry about The Pill during sex the way you would with condoms or spermicide.
As long as you remember to take your medication at the same time everyday, The Pill will hover around 91-99% effectiveness. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what to do if you miss a day on your birth control.
One of the downsides to The Pill is that it’s not as private as other methods. Taking a pill everyday, sometimes in different environments than usual, can be daunting for some. You may not want other people knowing that you take birth control, or are not sure where to put your packet.
Or maybe you’re worried that you won’t remember to take a medication around the same time every day. This is definitely a contraceptive that you should thoroughly talk through with your doctor, as well as with yourself to see if this is the right method for you.
5. Condoms – 85% effective
Most likely the method you’ve been waiting for. Because they’re available in almost every department store and pharmacy without restriction, condoms are easily the most accessible form of contraceptive on this list. They are also the only contraceptive on this list that can prevent pregnancy and STD transmission when used correctly.
Condoms are small pouches usually made out of one of three materials: latex, plastic (AKA latex-free), or lambskin.
The most popular type of condom on the market today is the latex condom. A latex condom is made out of rubber. However, only use water-based or silicone lube when you’re using a latex condom. Any lube that contains oil can break the condom down, and cause it to rip mid-intercourse.
Plastic condoms are good matches for those with latex allergies or sensitivities. They are usually made from out of materials such as polyurethane, nitrile, or polyisoprene. Unlike latex condoms, you can use any type of lube, whether it be water or silicone based, and you could generally use lube that contains oils, but make sure to read the directions on the packaging to be absolutely sure.
Lambskin and other animal membrane condoms are made from the lining of animal intestines (usually sheep). Like plastic condoms, lambskin condoms are safe for those with latex allergies, and can be combined with any type of lube. However, unlike latex and plastic condoms, they do not protect against STDs; they are only effective against pregnancy.
Lambskin condoms contain very small holes that are successful at blocking sperm from leaking into the vagina, but big enough for bacteria and viruses to slip through. Therefore, it’s best if you use latex or plastic condoms to protect yourself and your partner from pregnancy and STDs.
- Carefully open the wrapper and take out the condom. Do not use your teeth or scissors to open the wrapper, as this could break the condom.
- Double-check that the condom is ready to be rolled on in the correct way. The rim should be on the outside so it points upward.
- Place it on the tip of your fully erect penis. If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first.
- Pinch the air out of the tip of the condom. Unroll it all the way down the penis. If you want, dab some lube on the inside of the condom before rolling it onto the penis. This can help sex feel better and more lubricated, as well as ensure that the condom is less likely to break from friction.
- Have sex! If you switch to different types of sex (vaginal, anal, oral), be sure to change condoms so you don’t transmit bacteria.
- After ejaculation, hold the condom in place at the base of your penis while you pull out of your partner. Make sure to do this before you get soft to ensure that no semen accidentally spills out.
- Remove the condom from the penis and throw it in the trash. Do not flush them down the toilet, as this can cause it to clog pipes.
Because of how accessible condoms are, as well as the dual protection against unwanted pregnancies and STDs, this is most definitely the number-one recommended contraceptive on this list. Always ask your partner to wear a condom when having sex, especially if you’re not on another form of birth control. Don’t ever let someone pressure you into having sex without protection if you’re not comfortable with it.
If you’re ever unsure about buying condoms at the store, grab some here on campus! Health services has a basket full of free condoms in the waiting room, so grab as many as you want during your next visit. They’re also available in the commons, so be sure to use your bear bucks if you don’t want to spend actual money. However, condoms are normally between $1 to $5, so you won’t be breaking the bank if you need to grab a pack.
6. The Morning-After Pill – 75-89% effective
The morning-after pill–AKA Plan B One Step, Take Action, My Way, AfterPill, etc–are levonorgestrel pills that can prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex, but the sooner you take it the better. Regardless of the brand you take, they all contain the same medicine and effectiveness.
If you’re in need of a morning-after pill, check your local pharmacy or drugstore. Normally, they’re about $40-50, in the same aisle as other sex-related products like condoms and vibrators. Sometimes they may be locked away in plastic containers or behind counters for security reasons, so you may need to ask for assistance in getting them. However, do not be afraid about purchasing this; you’re being responsible for yourself and others.
To use a morning-after pill, read the instructions on the side of the box to see if you’re taking any medications that may alter the effectiveness of the medication. If you’re certain that this pill will help you, simply swallow it with some water.
Never take more than one morning-after pill at a time. Vomiting for up to two hours after you’ve taken the pill will not allow it to work correctly. If you haven’t gotten your period three weeks after taking the pill, take a pregnancy test.
You might be concerned with side effects of a morning-after pill, which is completely normal and valid! This is a scary process for some, but the whole experience is not as terrifying as you might think.
Your period might be different than what you’re used to–it might be lighter, heavier, earlier, or later than what it’s been before. You may have headaches, dizziness, and tender breasts for a little while after taking the pill, but other than that, you’ll be okay. It’ll be okay.
Quickfire Methods:
- Birth control ring – 91% effective. Can cost $0-200. Replace monthly.
- Birth control shot – 94% effective. Can cost $0-150. Get every three months.
- Internal condom – 75% effective. Can cost up to $3. Use every time you have sex.
- Outercourse & abstinence – 100% effective. Costs $0. Use every time you have sex.
- Sterilization – 99% effective. Can cost $0-6,000. Lasts for life.
I hope this list was both informative and fun to read for you! If you would like even more in-depth information about the contraceptives listed above–and even more that weren’t covered in this article– visit https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control.
Remember that we also have Health Services here on campus that can help you with any questions or needs that you may have. Remember: never be ashamed of using contraceptives.
Having safe sex can protect you from a plethora of nightmarish situations that could range from merely inconvenient to lifelong incapacitations. Remember to never let someone pressure you into having unsafe sex, and that you’re not in the wrong if you’re a victim of assault. You are strong. You’ve got this!
