Which Birth Control is Best for me?

There are many forms of birth control out there, but you might be wondering which one is the best for you.

It’s important to research what you will be putting into your body before making an important decision, that way you can make a well-informed decision. Let’s dive into some of the commonly heard forms of birth control.

The Pill

The pill prevents ovulation from occurring by stopping the process of your body from making hormones needed to ovulate and menstruate. The pill also stops the transport of sperm by changing the lining of your uterus and thickens the cervical mucus.

The pill does more than just prevent pregnancy though. It comes with its long list of side effects. Possible side effects that you should be aware of:

• Increased risk of breast cancer (44% increase if taken before first time pregnancy)
• Increased risk of liver cancer
• Increased risk of cervical cancer
• High blood pressure
• Blood clots
• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Migraines
• Post Pill amenorrhea (failure to resume menstruation after discontinuing)
• Decreases body nutrients
• Affects your gut and brain
• Impacts immune & cardiovascular systems

Opill

The Opill is an over-the-counter form of the birth control pill. It does not require a prescription, but due to the potential risks and warnings it contains, it would be beneficial to consult with a doctor before use.

Warnings: Opill is not intended for people who have liver problems, have or had cancer, taking certain medications already or supplements, have recently used any emergency contraceptives, and if you have bleeding in between periods.

Side Effects:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Increased appetite
• Abdominal pain & cramps
• Bloating
• Breast discomfort
• Fatigue
• Vaginal discharge
• Painful periods
• Backache
• Acne

IUD (Intrauterine Device)

A T-shaped device that can contain either copper or progestin hormones and is inserted into the uterus. The IUD irritates the lining of the uterus and stops the transport of sperm.

Side effects of having an IUD:

• Infection that can cause long-term complications
  • Abscess
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Risk of still getting pregnant
  • If pregnant, higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy (which can lead to death)
• Backaches
• Cramping
• Painful intercourse
• Painful menstrual cycles
• Infertility

Well, what about getting my tubes tied?

Tubal Ligation is a surgical procedure, where a woman’s fallopian tubes are either cut, burnt, or tied to be sterile. While you don’t have to deal with the consequences of ongoing hormonal contraceptives, even tubal ligation has its own unwanted risks.

Side effects may be:

• Risk of still getting pregnant
  • If pregnant, increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy (which can lead to death)
• Anesthesia or surgery complications
  • Bladder puncture
  • Bleeding
  • Cardiac arrest
• Intermittent vaginal bleeding
• Severe cramping

So, there’s no best birth control out there for me?

There is no birth control where you can avoid the negative side effects that it comes with. Birth control has short term and long-term effects, even after discontinuation there are after-effects. On top of that if you are depending on birth control solely for prevention of pregnancy, that puts you at the risk of contracting STI’s and STD’s if you are not protecting yourself.

There are natural ways to prevent conception! If you are currently married and want to prevent conception there is Natural Family Planning (NFP) where you don’t have to worry about any side effects. If you’re single or in a relationship and wanting to prevent conception, there are Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) out there waiting for you to learn more about!

Sources:

Chris Kahlenborn, MD. (n.d.). What a Woman Should Know about Birth Control. Dayton, OH; One More Soul.

Dihle, V. L. (2017). The Morning After Pill. Focus on the Family.

Natural Womanhood. (2017). Know your Body.

Opill OTC Birth Control: Usage, Side Effects & Warnings. (n.d.). Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/opill.html

Piescik, J. (2023, June 15). How post-pill amenorrhea exposes hormonal birth control’s inability to fix reproductive health problems. Natural Womanhood. July 21, 2024, https://naturalwomanhood.org/post-pill-amenorrhea/