Contraception

Methods of Contraception

Contraception, or birth control, helps prevent pregnancies and plan the number and spacing of children. No single birth control method is best for everyone, nor are all equally effective. That is why it’s essential to seek more effective contraception methods to control your life and your sexual and reproductive health.

Understanding the Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods

The VIVAA staff understands the need for effective birth control methods and makes them readily available for those who seek them. Many women seek information on contraceptives like condoms, diaphragms, fertility awareness, and birth control sponges.

However, many medical professionals can attest that some are less efficient at preventing pregnancy. The efficacy of many methods often depends on whether couples use them in the way intended rather than typical use, meaning contraception is not used regularly. Spermicides and withdrawal before ejaculation are among the least effective birth control methods.

How Do I Choose the Right Birth Control for Me?

The best method of birth control for you is safe, effective, and you feel comfortable using it correctly and consistently. Your preferred contraceptive method may change over your lifetime and is influenced by the following factors:

• Your age and health
• Your reproductive goals, including how soon you want to get pregnant
• Relationship factors, how often you have sex and partner preferences
• Religious beliefs
• Differences between methods, including efficacy at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections

Birth Control Method Categories

Birth control methods fall into two broad categories: reversible and permanent. Reversible methods allow individuals to stop birth control when they want to become pregnant. Permanent methods ( e.g. Tubal Ligation) cannot generally be undone once completed, although, with advances in science, successful reversal has become more common.

Reversible Methods of Birth Control

Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives

These contraceptive methods are the most reliable way to prevent pregnancy, lasting multiple years. Intrauterine devices (also called IUDs) can consistently prevent pregnancy and are less drastic than other birth control methods, so it's easy to see why women prefer them. Three  main types of these devices are available.

• Non Hormonal copper IUD(ParaGard and others): These contain no hormones and are wrapped in a small amount of copper. Sperm are sensitive to the copper ions released by the device, which makes it impossible for sperm to get to an egg. These can last up to 10 years.
• IUD with progestogen(Mirena Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla): These IUDs are usually made of plastic, and use a synthetic progestogen called progestin for hormonal birth control. They thicken the mucus in the cervix, trapping sperm and preventing eggs from leaving the ovaries.  Some also thin the lining of the uterus. The lasting effects of all of these differ. Mirena can last up to six years. Kyleena can last five years, Liletta four, and Skyla three.
• Implantable Rod (Nexplanon): This thin, matchstick-sized rod contains a progestin hormone placed under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. It stops the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens the cervical mucus to keep sperm from getting to the egg. These can last up to 3 years.

The primary benefit of IUDs is that they’re reversible, so if you decide to have children, a contraception expert at VIVAA can easily remove the device, with fertility returning soon after removal. IUDs are by far the most effective way of preventing pregnancy while retaining sexual and reproductive health.

Short-Acting Hormonal Methods

Additional hormone-based birth control methods include oral contraceptive pills, vaginal rings, injections, and patches. Although taking birth control pills is a popular option, reliability depends on taking the pills daily on the specified order each month.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is not a standard method of birth control and should only be used after unprotected sex or when a barrier method, such as a condom, fails. Women should use it as soon as possible, within three to five days, to prevent pregnancy, as emergency contraception is more effective the sooner they are taken. The most common method is emergency contraceptive pills, with some available over the counter. Women can also have a copper T intrauterine device IUD inserted within five days of unprotected sex.

Trust VIVAA for Your Birth Control Options

VIVAA provides contraceptive counseling for women seeking reliable reproductive health care and can help women looking for intrauterine devices, which are proven to be long-acting yet reversible birth control methods.

By taking your reproductive and sexual health seriously through a hormonal IUD, oral contraceptives, or another reliable method, you’ll feel more empowered and in control of your life’s path.

Call or stop by our center in Bellevue, WA, today to see how we can help. For your convenience, use our site to schedule a consultation. We have compassionate and highly attentive medical professionals on our staff to help you with all your contraception needs.

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