Understanding Important Birth Control Options

Choosing birth control can feel a bit like standing in front of a wall of cereal at the grocery store. There are so many choices, and each one promises something slightly different. Pills, patches, IUDs, rings, implants, condoms — where do you even start? Choosing a birth control method is a highly personal decision, and having the facts about all your options is the first step to understanding what’s out there, how each method works, and which one might fit your lifestyle best.

Why Contraception Matters

First, a quick look at the landscape: The majority of women in the US who are sexually active use contraception at some point in their lives, and roughly 65% of women aged 15-49 were currently using contraception in 2017-2019. While preventing pregnancy is the most common reason (81% of women who have used hormonal birth control say this is a reason), many methods offer great non-contraceptive benefits, such as:

• Reducing menstrual pain and cramps
• Regulating menstrual cycles
• Clearing up acne
• Reducing the risk of certain cancers (such as ovarian and endometrial cancer)

The Effectiveness Spectrum

When discussing effectiveness, health experts use two terms: perfect use (using the method exactly as directed) and typical use (how people use the technique in real life, including forgetting a pill or misusing a condom). Contraception effectiveness is often measured by how many women out of 100 will have an unplanned pregnancy in the first year.

Birth Control Options

When it comes to preventing pregnancy, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution — and that’s a good thing. Today’s birth control options offer more flexibility, convenience, and control than ever before. Whether you’re looking for something long-term and maintenance-free, a method you can manage yourself, or a hormone-free approach, there’s an option designed to fit your body and your lifestyle. Here’s a closer look at the main types of birth control and how they work.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)

If you’re not great at remembering a daily pill or would prefer a set-it-and-forget-it approach, LARCs are the most effective reversible methods available.

• Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): Small, T-shaped devices inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider. These include:
  • Hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Skyla, etc.): Release progestin and last three to eight years. Many women experience cycles that are much lighter or absent.
  • Copper IUDs (ParaGard): Are hormone-free and can last up to 10-12 years. They often cause heavier cycles or more cramping.
  • Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon): A tiny rod inserted under the skin of the upper arm, releasing progestin. It lasts for three to five years.

Short-Acting Hormonal Methods

These require you to remember to take or apply them regularly.

• The Pill (Oral Contraceptives): Taken daily. Contains either a combination of estrogen and progestin or progestin-only (“minipill”). Typical use effectiveness is 93%. The biggest drawback is human error — forgetting to take it daily.
• The Shot (Depo-Provera): An injection of progestin given by a healthcare provider every three months.
• The Patch and the Ring: Patches (worn on the skin and changed weekly) and vaginal rings (inserted monthly) that deliver hormones continuously.

Barrier Methods

These methods physically block sperm from reaching an egg.

• Male Condom: A thin sheath worn on the penis. Male condoms are the only widely available method that also helps prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Typical use is 82% effective for preventing pregnancy.
• Diaphragm or Cervical Cap: Reusable, dome-shaped devices inserted into the vagina before sex to cover the cervix, usually used with a spermicide.
• Spermicide or Vaginal Gel: Chemical agents that kill or inactivate sperm. They are much less effective when used alone.

Permanent Methods

These are surgical procedures intended for people who are entirely sure they do not want children in the future.

• Vasectomy: For males, cutting or blocking the tubes that carry sperm.
• Tubal Ligation: For females, cutting or blocking the fallopian tubes.

How to Choose What’s Right for You

There’s no single best birth control method. The best option is the one that’s safe, effective for your needs, and that you will use correctly and consistently. Consider these factors:

• Effectiveness: How important is it that you absolutely do not get pregnant? (If the answer is very, a LARC or permanent method is best.)
• Lifestyle: Do you travel frequently? Are you great at remembering to take a daily pill, or would you prefer a set-it-and-forget-it method?
• Side Effects and Health: Do you have existing health conditions? Do you want to regulate your cycle, or do you prefer non-hormonal options?
• STI Protection: Remember, only condoms offer significant protection against STIs. If you and your partner haven’t both been tested and aren’t in a mutually monogamous relationship, use condoms — even if you’re already using another form of birth control.

The most crucial step is to talk to a healthcare provider! They can review your medical history, discuss your goals, and help you find a method that fits your body and your life.

Need help matching a method to your health profile? The CDC’s Medical Eligibility Criteria (US MEC) explains which methods are safe for different health conditions.

Your Health, Your Choice

Choosing birth control isn’t just about preventing pregnancy — it’s about taking charge of your health, your body, and your future. The right method can help you feel confident, balanced, and in control of your life. Whether you prefer something long-term and low-maintenance or flexible and easy to start or stop, there’s an option that fits your lifestyle. 

The best next step? Have an open conversation with your healthcare provider. Together, you can find a method that aligns with your health needs, values, and goals so you can focus on living your life, not managing your birth control.

At MyAlly Health, we offer physical and mental health screenings to promote your overall health. You can also receive examinations such as Pap smears to test for cervical cancer and Gardasil vaccinations to protect you from HPV infections. If you’d like to schedule an exam, contact us today!

MyAlly Health also provides confidential reproductive health services to women and men in the Grand Forks, North Dakota, area, regardless of income or age. These services include offering preventive care, such as STI testing, breast examinations, and pelvic examinations, and determining the best birth control for you. Nurse practitioners and resident physicians provide our clinical services.

Additionally, we provide education, counseling, advocacy, and healthcare services to empower and engage individuals in their overall well-being and reproductive health. Find out more about what we do, help make a difference by donating to our cause, or schedule an appointment with us today.