The easiest way to find out which birth control fits you is research. There is a type of birth control to fit every lifestyle, from the traveling woman to the housewife. Some birth control methods are not indicated because of age or health status, so ask your Doctor or Doctors.
The IUD or IUC (Intrauterine Device or Intrauterine Contraceptive)
The Mirena
There are currently two kinds of IUD's available on the market at this time. Either can be placed by your doctor in the office or outpatient surgery. One of them, the Mirena, is a soft T-shaped plastic device that does not contain any type of estrogen. The Mirena releases what is known as levonorgestrel, into your uterus. The systemic effect on your body is not like that of other birth control, such as bloating, moodiness, nausea.
The Mirena works to prevent pregnancy by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg, making your uterus lining thinner, and preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg such as making your cervix develop a mucous the sperm generally cannot penetrate. It is because of these three effects the Mirena is 99.8% effective, more effective than most other birth control methods. The Mirena is good for 5 years, but can be removed before then if you choose.
The Mirena can have a noticeable effect on your menstrual cycle. Because it thins out the lining of your uterus, many women have very light or nonexistent periods, which is perfectly safe and normal with the Mirena.
The Paraguard
The Paraguard is also T-shaped and plastic but releases no hormones and has copper wrapped on the ends of it. The Paraguard does not have any systemic effect on your body except the first few months after insertion; some women do experience heavier and longer menstruation. The Paraguard is good for 10 years and can also be removed when you are ready to conceive.
The Paraguard works to prevent pregnancy by preventing sperm from reaching or fertilizing the egg, which is still released while on the Paraguard, and keeping an egg from adhering to the wall of the uterus to grow if it becomes fertilized. The Paraguard is as effective as the Mirena to prevent pregnancy.
The Nuvaring
The Nuvaring is a small, flexible round plastic circle that is bent in half and inserted in the vagina by the wearer once every 4 weeks. The Nuvaring is removed at the end of the third week, and not worn for one week while you have your menstrual cycle. The Nuvaring works by preventing ovulation and is just as effective as the birth control pill, 99%.
Few people feel the Nuvaring with intercourse or while wearing it. If the Nuvaring does interfere with intercourse, it can be removed for almost 3 hours, rinsed and put back in. The Nuvaring is designed not to fall out, the muscles in your vagina hold it in, and it will not go past your cervix so it will not "get lost".
The Patch
The Ortho-Evra Patch is a sticker that is applied on different parts of the body three times a month. It, like the Nuvaring, is removed at the end of the third week, inducing your period. The Patch also has the same drugs as the birth control pill, so it is just as effective as the Pill and prevents pregnancy in the same manner. The Patch is very discreet and you don't have to worry about taking a pill every day.
The Patch can cause an allergic skin reaction in some people. It also releases an increased amount of estrogen into the blood stream, sparking worries at one time of an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. However, the risk of these effects is increased with any type of medicine containing estrogen.
Implanon
The Implanon is a small plastic rod that is placed under the skin of your arm. The rod is inserted through a hole under your skin, with a local anesthetic to numb the area. The rod then releases etonogestrel, a non-estrogen hormone through your skin. The Implanon is removed the same way through the skin.
The Implanon is just as effective as the birth control pill. It works much like the Mirena IUD in the way which it prevents pregnancy. Most women cannot see or feel Implanon once it is inserted.
The Depo Provera Injection
The "Depo Shot" is a progesterone only injection given every 3 months either in the muscle by the Depo Provera 150 mg or under the skin by the Depo Subq Provera 104 mg. The Depo Shot has been shown to be between 97 and 99.7% effective. The Depo works the same as the birth control pill with the way it prevents pregnancy.
Some women on the Depo Shot will discontinue their menstrual cycles while getting the injection. Depo has been proven to cause some weight gain, which is decreased in the 104 mg injection. Depo has also shown it decreases the bone density in some women.
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