The Risks and Benefits of Contraception
Since the seventies the available variety of contraception has exploded. The explosion hasn’t been completely without risk. There are many benefits to the widespread availability of birth control but there are some risks to it as well. This is a basic guide to the main types of birth control available along with the risks and benefits associated with each.
The Birth Control Pill
There are a variety of different birth control pills on the market today. Some like Yaz offer extra benefits like help with PMS. Others like the minipill are better for mothers who breastfeed because of the low dose of hormones that they offer.
There are some birth control pills now that allow women to have fewer periods throughout the year. For most birth control pills the system works by providing three continuous weeks of a hormone based pill and one week of placebo. During the placebo week the user will experience something like a period. Some women skip the placebo week in order to continuously avoid having a period. This should not be done for more than three consecutive months however.
Benefits
The birth control pill is about 99% effective with perfect use. Average use is probably closer to 95%. Even with average use the birth control pill is far more effective than simply using a condom to prevent pregnancy.
Risks
Most birth control pills come with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism which can be fatal. This risk is especially high in women who smoke. The same goes for cardiovascular disease. Women over 35 and women who smoke appear to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease while using birth control pills.
Birth control pills that are used for long periods of time have also been linked to cancers such as cancer of the cervix, though the link is not entirely clear.
Birth control pills may cause a rise in blood pressure and for this reason they should be avoided by some women who already have issues with high blood pressure.
Condoms
Condoms are one of the oldest forms of birth control and they should be used in conjunction with birth control among those who are in non-monogamous relationships since other forms of birth control do not offer protection against HIV or other STDs. Condoms are generally made of latex though there are some condoms that are made out of other materials like lambskin and plastic for people who are allergic to latex.
Benefits
One benefit of the condom is that this highly effective against STDs. Condoms are pretty much the only form of birth control that offers protection against major STDs. They are also cheap, easy to find, and hormone free.
Condoms give men the opportunity to take part in the prevention of pregnancy. There are no side effects to condoms except when they are used by people who have latex allergies.
Disadvantages
Though they are relatively effective against STDs and pregnancy prevention through perfect use, most people do not use them perfectly. Some people feel that condoms dull the sensation of sex, though there are a variety of different styles of condom to help with this issue.
Natural Family Planning
Natural family planning goes by a lot of names. Natural family planning, the rhythm method, and fertility awareness are some of the names that are used for natural family planning. This method is used for religious and political reasons.
Benefits
No hormones are chemicals are necessary for natural family planning. If used properly it can be very effective, average use is about 75-88% effective.
Disadvantages
There are several disadvantages to natural family planning. For one it will not work to prevent STDs and should only be used by committed couples. Also, NFP requires couples to abstain from sex around 10 days each month.
Participants must keep up with their natural fertility methods on a daily basis, which can be difficult for many. If you do not have a regular menstrual cycle it may not be possible for you to track your fertility properly.
References: MayoClinic and Planned Parenthood.