The Contraceptive Contraption: Birth Control Overview

Hello! With us approaching The Handmaids Tale sooner than later, I thought it would be a good idea to write a bare bones blog on Birth Control! My intent with making this bare bones is that you my dear reader take the extra step and finish the research that I have started. With that, I will begin my quick overview of the types of birth control and their stats, uses of birth control outside of pregnancy prevention, and emergency contraceptives.

Birth Control - Birth control is any method used to prevent pregnancy. There are many different methods of birth control including condoms, IUDs, birth control pills, the rhythm method, vasectomy, and tubal ligation. - WebMD.

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There are eighteen types of birth control and they are ranked from most effective to least effective. They are as follows:

Implant

  • 99% effective

    • Costs up to $1,300, but can be $0

    • Put in by a doctor or nurse

    • Lasts up to 5 years

  • Intrauterine Device

    • 99% effective

    • Costs up to $1,300, but can be $0

    • Put in by a doctor or nurse

    • Lasts up to 12 years

  • Birth Control Shot

    • 94% effective

    • Costs up to $100, but can be $0

    • Injected by a doctor or nurse, or yourself at home

    • Get it every 3 months

  • Male Sterilization (Vasectomy)

    • 99% effective

    • Costs up to $1,000, but can be $0

    • Surgical procedure

    • Do it once, lasts forever

  • Female Sterilization (Abdominal, Laparoscopic, Hysteroscopic)

    • 99% effective

    • Costs up to $6,000, but can be $0

    • Surgical procedure

    • Do it once, lasts forever

  • Injectable

    • 94% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $100

    • Get every 3 months

  • Pill

    • 91% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $50

    • Take daily

  • Patch

    • 91% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $150

    • Replace weekly

  • Ring

    • 91% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $200

    • Replace monthly

  • Diaphragm

    • 88% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $75

    • Use every time

  • Male Condom

    • 85% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $2

    • Use every time

  • Female Condom / Internal Condom

    • 79% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $3

    • Use every time

  • Withdrawal

    • 78% Effective

    • Cost $0

    • Use Every Time

  • Sponge

    • 76-88% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $15

    • Use every time

  • Fertility-Awareness Based Methods

    • 76-88% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $20

    • Use daily

  • Spermicide

    • 71% Effective

    • Can cost $0 to $8

    • Use every time

  • Abstinence

    • 100% Effective

    • Cost $0

    • Used every time

If you want to read more about birth control and get more in depth information on the types listed above, you can visit the website of Planned Parenthood here: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control

I also found this really handy chart on the effectiveness of each type of birth control from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/pdf/contraceptive_methods_508.pdf

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Outside of pregnancy prevention, birth control has many benefits to its users. If you, or your lady friends are like me than they too use birth control for medical reasons. Here is a small list of uses of birth control outside of pregnancy prevention:

  • Regulate Periods

    • Because you are on a set schedule, there are no surprises about when your period should come.

  • Help With Anemia

    • Because birth control lightens your perid, you bleed less meaning it lowers the chance of iron deficiency.

  • Helps with Cramps and PMS

    • If you have PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), birth control pills may ease symptoms like mood swings, breast soreness, weight gain, bloating, and acne by evening out hormone levels during your cycle.  - WebMD

  • Relieve Endometriosis Symptoms

    • Birth Control helps relieve pain associated with Endometriosis by preventing periods.

  • Clear Up Skin and Prevent Unwanted Hair Growth

    • Birth control pills can improve acne and hair growth in the midline of your body by reducing the levels of male hormones your ovaries make. - WebMD

  • Help With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

    • Birth Control helps regulate hormones and prevent high levels of testosterone. It also relieves symptoms like irregular periods, unwanted hair growth, and acne.

If you want to read a bit more, Buzzfeed has a great article with perspectives from readers on why they use birth control: https://www.buzzfeed.com/caseygueren/28-reasons-people-really-use-birth-control 

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"Emergency contraception is a safe way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. There are a few types of emergency contraception, and some work better than others." - Planned Parenthood. There are two types of Emergency Contraceptives:

  • The first is the Paragaurd IUD. This can be used within 5 days of your oopsie and is the most effective emergency contraceptive

  • The second is the Morning After Pill. These can be used up to five days after your oopsie, but is most effective when used within 72 hours. There are two types of morning after pills: Ella and Plan B

    • The main ingredient in Ella is ulipristal acetate. You actually need a doctor to prescribe this to you to obtain the medicine.

    • Plan B is over the counter and a cheaper option. It's main ingredient is levonorgestrel (which is one of two main ingredients in the combination birth control pill.

And of course, of you want to learn more about Emergency Contraceptives, you can do so here: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care/our-services/emergency-contraceptive


Well, I hope something in here was informative, but I do ask that you continue your research. Google and Google some more and don't be afraid to talk to your PCP or OBGYN about any of the topics covered in this blog. The best way to protect yourself is to educate yourself.

Briana Fountain