This article originally appeared on SELF.
What are the different contraceptive alternatives to consider?
As mentioned, there are few different contraceptive options to consider:
Copper IUD
The copper coil, or IUD, has a dual role as a long-term contraception and as an Emergency Contraception, shares Edith Barber, a specialist nurse practitioner at the Harley Street Health Centre.
‘The effect of the copper coil makes the area of the womb hostile for a sperm and egg to survive in the womb or fallopian tubes therefore preventing fertilisation of an egg. They play a role to interfere with the structural appearance of the lining of the uterus thereby disturbing the process of implantation.’
Hormonal IUD
There are three types of hormonal coils, which contain a Progestogen type hormone called Levonorgestrel, says Barber. “The maximum duration of use with the hormonal coil option is 5 years whereas the non hormonal coil has a 10 year duration option.”
Some have hormones and some don’t. “They also act in a different capacity with the IUS mode of action being that it thickens the cervical mucus which makes it more difficult for sperm to move through and fertilise and egg, it thins the lining of the womb of the whom which prevents implantation of an egg and it partially supresses ovulation in some women.”
Hormonal implant
A small flexible plastic rod that’s placed under the skin in your upper arm, the hormonal implant lasts for 3 years, according to the NHS.
Contraceptive patch
“The contraceptive patch is a small soft sticky plaster that you place on your skin that contains two hormones that is used to prevent pregnancy,” says Barber. “It is replaced on a weekly basis for 3 weeks followed by a week off.”
Vaginal rings
“If the vaginal ring is always used perfectly according to instructions, it’s over 99% effective. This means that fewer than 1 in 100 people who use the ring perfectly will get pregnant in 1 year,” she says. However, if the vaginal ring is not always used according to instructions, it can increase your risk of getting pregnant. ‘About 9 in 100 ring users will get pregnant in 1 year,” she adds.
Contraceptive injections
Google searches for contraceptive injections and their safety are high. But, according to Barber, any contraindication to its use will be flagged following consultation with a patient and they are generally considered to be safe.“It is a discreet, reliable contraception method that can be administered by both patients or clinicians,” she adds.
What is the most effective birth control besides the pill?
“Due to the low incidences of failure rate, the most effective group of birth controls are the LARC methods,” shares Barber.
Examples, as mentioned, include the Intrauterine Device (IUD), Intrauterine System ( IUS), Contraceptive Implant and Contraceptive Injection.
What are the benefits of longer-lasting contraception?
Below Barber maps out the possible benefis to consider:
- More reliability out of all the methods and lower incidences of failure rate in comparison to other methods
- Your fertility returns back to normal immediately; with the exception of the contraceptive injection which may take slightly longer.
- Low maintenance: no incidence of you running out of prescription
- Cost-effective
- Discreet to use: within the womb (coils) or beneath skin ( implant) injection (no trace)
- Empowers women to decide and take control how, when she wishes conception
- Can be used at any age
- Immediate effectiveness (copper coil)
- Previous pregnancy is not a contraindication to insertion
- Positive effect on your sex life and reduction with anxiety during or after sex
- They can provide desired hormonal side effects for as long as is needed. For example, Mirena may be needed to support a person who is using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), who suffers from heavy periods of endometriosis and desires no period. Alternately, for people who do not want any hormonal contraception or who cannot have certain hormones, a Copper coil, which can last 5 or 10 years, is available and contains no hormones.
Are there any side effects to consider with LARCs?
There can be various side effects specific to the method being used, says Barber. “Hormonal LARCs can cause bleeding related side effects (irregular/ prolonged/no period), headaches, breast tenderness or mood changes,” she says.
‘Non hormonal coil bleeding can be heavier longer or more painful periods, Depo can cause weight gain and also bleeding-related side effects.’
At the end of the day, the side effects of the pill and LARCs will vary a ton from person to person. It’s important to choose a form of contraception that has minimal side effects for you, which again is sometimes easier said than done. On the NHS website, you can find useful tools for working out the best contraceptive method for you as you can on the website Contraception Choices.
But if the pill makes you feel awful or doesn’t seem to agree with you, ask your doctor about other options. A LARC may be a better choice for you—and it comes with the undeniable bonus of being protected against pregnancy every single day without having to remember to take a medication.