The best birth control for you

Whatever your lifestyle, belief, and budget, there is a birth control method for you and your family.

Couples are now more conscious of how many kids they’d have. Parents want to make sure they can bring up their children well and provide for their needs. Fortunately, a wide array of birth control methods is now available.

1. Combined oral contraceptives.

Known as “the pill,” it has both estrogen and progestin. It stops ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus so sperm has a harder time to get through.

PROS: When you want a baby, just stop taking the pill. You may be pregnant as soon as the next cycle. Easy to take. Easily available.

CONS: Some may gain weight or have headaches. Regular OB-GYN checkups a must to see how the baby responds to it. Pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

EFFECTIVENESS: 99.6%

GOOD FOR: Women who don’t mind the routine of taking pills every day.

2. Progestin-only contraceptives.

Also called the “mini pill,” it thickens the cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to get through. It stops ovulation in about half of menstrual cycles.

PROS: Won’t affect milk supply. Easy to take. Easily available.

CONS: Regular OB-GYN checkups a must to see how body responds to it.

EFFECTIVENESS: 98%

GOOD FOR: Breastfeeding moms.

3. Injectable.

Delivered via intramuscular injection on the arm or buttocks, one dose is good for three months to prevent ovulation.

PROS: Convenient.

CONS: If stopped, it may take a while for a woman to get pregnant.

EFFECTIVENESS: 99.6%

GOOD FOR: Those who don’t want to take pills everyday.

4. Contraceptive Patch.

Marked as Ortho-Evra, this contraceptive patch can be placed on the arm or abdomen to prevent ovulation.

PROS: One can do regular activities and even go swimming. Easily available.

CONS: May cause skin rashes. Patch needs to be changed every week.

EFFECTIVENESS: 98%

GOOD FOR: Those who don’t like taking pills every day. Not good for smokers, and those with a history of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.

5. Condom.

It is a sheath made of thin latex rubber that is fitted over an erect penis. Female condoms that fit over the vagina are also available.

PROS: Easily available. Cheap. Easy to use. Helps prevent STDs. May be used with other birth control methods.

CONS: May cause allergies. May decrease sensation during sex. May break.

EFFECTIVENESS: 90% to 98%

GOOD FOR: Men who are open to it.

6. Bilateral Tubal Litigation.

This is a semi-major operation. Fallopian tubes are cut to prevent the egg from meeting sperm.

PROS: More or less a permanent method of birth control.

CONS: Discomfort and pain after surgery. A small percentage of BTL may need microscopic surgery when tubes find their way together. Our cells have magnetism. In some cases, the cut tubes become connected again. this may result in ectopic pregnancy.

EFFECTIVENESS: 99% to 99.5%

GOOD FOR: Women with high-risk pregnancies. The stress of labor and delivery will put these women at greater risk if they become pregnant again.

7. Vasectomy.

A small cut is made in the scrotum to cut tubes that carry sperm from testicles. Once done, a man’s semen will not contain sperm anymore.

PROS: Vasectomy will not decrease a man’s libido; it is merely a permanent form of birth control.

CONS: Pain after surgery.

EFFECTIVENESS: 99% to 99.5%

GOOD FOR: Men who do not plan on having children anymore.

8. IUD.

This small flexible plastic frame with copper wires inserted in the vagina makes it hard for the sperm to move in the woman’s reproductive tract; may prevent sperm from meeting the egg.

PROS: Provides birth control for three to five years.

CONS: Must be inserted by a doctor in a clinic; may cause heavy periods.

EFFECTIVENESS: 97% to 98%

9. Diaphragm.

A dome-shaped rubber disk with a flexible rim that covers the cervix, it prevents sperm from entering the uterus..

PROS: Safe. Helps prevent some STDs.

CONS: Has to be fitted by a doctor in a clinic. Has to be inserted before sex. May cause toxic shock syndrome if left inside body for more than 24 hours.

EFFECTIVENESS: 94% when used with spermicide.

GOOD FOR: Almost everyone.

10. Cervical Cap.

Smaller than a diaphragm, the cervical cap is also made of rubber. It blocks the sperm from entering the uterus.

PROS: Safe. Helps prevent some STDs.

CONS: Has to be inserted before sex. May cause toxic shock syndrome if left inside the body for more than 48 hours. Prolonged use may also cause foul odor or discharge.

EFFECTIVENESS: 94% when used with spermicide.

GOOD FOR: Almost everyone.

11. Spermicide

.It kills the sperm with the use of a chemical. Available over the counter as cream, jelly, foam, film, vaginal suppository, or tablet. It may be used with the condom, cervical cap, and diaphragm for added protection.

PROS: Safe. May help prevent STDs. May increase vaginal lubrication.

CONS: Messy.

EFFECTIVENESS: 93% when used alone

GOOD FOR: Almost everyone not allergic to it.