![]() ![]() It can be effective for 10 to 12 years, but can be removed at any time. Paragard is a hormoneless IUD that’s wrapped in copper, and it produces an inflammatory reaction that’s toxic to both sperm and eggs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some IUDs can stop you from getting a regular period.Īccording to Planned Parenthood, three brands of IUD - Paragard, Mirena, and Liletta - can also be used for emergency contraception if inserted within five days of unprotected sex. There are two general types: a copper IUD and a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUD), and five brands have been approved by the FDA. It's known for its ease of use and efficacy as a long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Pros: At 88 percent, diaphragms are more effective than condoms.Ĭons: According to Planned Parenthood, for greatest protection, diaphragms should be used with a spermicide - more on this below.Īn IUD is a small, flexible, T-shaped plastic device that’s placed at the bottom of the uterus. Diaphragms aren’t condoms, so they don’t prevent STIs, but when used correctly, they do prevent sperm from reaching an egg. Diaphragms and Cervical CapsĪ diaphragm is essentially a shallow, bendable cup that sits in your cervix, kind of like a menstrual cup. Pros: Made of soft plastic, they prevent STIs and pregnancy.Ĭons: They're only 79 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. You may have heard these colloquially called “female condoms.” Internal condoms sit inside the vagina and work the same way condoms worn over a penis do: They prevent sperm from coming into contact with an egg. Wade? What Would a SCOTUS Decision Mean for Reproductive Health? Internal Condoms Pros: Latex and plastic condoms protect against STIs and are easily accessible in stores and often free at clinics.Ĭons: They're only about 85 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, in part because they can break. But keep in mind that lambskin condoms do not protect against STIs.Ĭlassic condoms are designed to cover a penis and catch semen, as well as protect partners’ genitals from coming into direct contact. If one or more partners has a latex allergy, you can find condoms made of non-latex plastic and lambskin. It’s important to always use a water-based lubricant - instead of an oil-based lube - with latex condoms because oil-based products can damage the material and make it less effective, according to Planned Parenthood. Most condoms are made of latex, a type of rubber. RELATED: A Contraception Checklist: 9 Things to Do Before Your Teen Leaves for College “Condoms are an incredible method of contraception, it’s just that they aren’t always used,” says Shah, noting that if you don’t use one every time, it’s a good idea to have another method, like emergency contraception, on hand. ![]() There are two types of barrier methods: condoms and diaphragms.Ĭondoms are the only method of birth control that have the added protection of preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the traditional type, used on a penis, is not your only option. Here’s a quick and easy guide to birth control options, including the pros and cons of each. Sometimes it takes a few attempts to find something that folks are comfortable with.” “If you need to change, even after a month, don’t feel bad about it. “It’s about finding the best method for the patient, not a doctor pushing an agenda of what they think is the best one,” she says. It’s your healthcare provider’s job to help you navigate each one and advise on how it might apply to your lifestyle, goals, and needs. ![]() Shah, you are never locked into one form of reversible birth control and can always switch to another. The form of birth control that’s right for each person is very personal, and may change down the line. What Type of Contraception Is Right for You - Right Now? “Everyone should be counseled on all methods of contraception,” she says, from birth control pills to vasectomies, regardless of their gender. According to Meera Shah, MD, MPH, birth control is every partner’s responsibility. That’s not to say that birth control should only be a concern for women. In women, birth control can also help lighten heavy periods, regulate menstrual cycles, and clear up acne, according to the Office on Women’s Health. ![]() “Before jumping into efficacy, when we talk to patients about contraceptives, we first narrow down what they want out of it,” she says. Contraception Is Not Just About Preventing Pregnancy Plenty of people have sex with no intention of having a baby, and there are more options than ever to prevent a pregnancy.Īccording to CeCe Cheng, MD, a maternal fetal medicine physician in Texas and a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health, preventing pregnancy may not be the only or most important goal of birth control, either. ![]()
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