Modern women have the possibility to use different types of birth control, each of them has advantages and disadvantages. Comparison of different contraception types helps to choose the birth control method, which will be optimal for both sexual partners. There are three main types of contraception: hormonal, non-hormonal, and surgical.
Each of these birth control methods is divided into numerous subtypes. Therefore, a woman is difficult to understand what contraception method is more effective namely in her case.
For non-hormonal pregnancy prevention, it can be used:
- Spermicides
- Coitus interruptus
- Sexual abstinence
- Male and female condoms
- Cervical caps
- Vaginal diaphragms
- Copper-containing IUDs
If you want to compare different types of non-hormonal birth control, you can do it by yourself. Almost all non-hormonal contraceptives are available for sale without a prescription and complex medical procedures are not required for their use.
An exception is the intrauterine device (IUD), which cannot be installed and removed by yourself. Therefore, besides the purchase of non-hormonal intrauterine device, it is necessary to pay the procedure – its installation and removal.
It should be noted that two types of IUDs are available for sale.
- The first type of IUDs contains only copper. In the USA, copper-containing intrauterine contraceptives are sold under the trademark ParaGard T 380A.
- The second type of IUDs contains only hormone – Levonorgestrel. In the USA, Levonorgestrel-containing IUDs are available for sale under the trademarks Mirena and Skyla.
You can compare two different types of intrauterine birth control by various indicators, including effectiveness and duration of contraceptive effect.
- Copper-containing intrauterine device – ParaGard is set once in 10 years. When ParaGard is properly installed, the effectiveness of this non-hormonal contraception method is 99.4%.
- Hormone-containing intrauterine device – Mirena should be replaced every 5 years. When Mirena is properly installed, the effectiveness of this hormonal birth control method is 99.9%.
It is noteworthy that effectiveness of different types of hormonal birth control is almost identical. Even when hormonal contraceptives are taken orally, their efficiency no less than 99%. When hormonal contraception irregularly or improperly is used, the probability of unwanted pregnancy increases.
For the scheduled or emergency contraception, different types of birth control pills can be used. Oral contraceptive may contain one or two active ingredients. Effectiveness of birth control pills depends both on the number of active ingredients and on the individual features of female body.
By choosing one of the plurality of types of birth control pills, pay attention to their indications for use. Combined birth control pills are used for regular (scheduled) contraception. Birth control pills containing only one hormone are used for emergency contraception after unprotected sexual intercourse.
Hormonal birth control pills for emergency contraception are very often called «mini pills» or «morning-after pills». At the U.S. pharmacies, mini pills are sold under different proprietary names. The most popular brand of mini pills in the USA is Plan B.
Many women choose different types of birth control shots for contraception. Injectable hormonal medicines are used as long-term contraception. Administration method of birth control injections depends on their type.
Suspension for subcutaneous injection – Sayanaject and solution for intramuscular injection Depo-Provera are available at the UK market. Both these hormonal contraceptives contain an active ingredient Medroxyprogesterone.
Administration method of Depo-Provera and Sayanaject injectable contraceptives is different, but the duration of their contraceptive effect is identical and lasts 3 months.
One more popular injectable contraceptive (available in the UK) is sold under the brand Noristerat. Noristerat injectable solution for birth control includes an active ingredient Norethisterone. Noristerat differs from other types of birth control injections by less prolonged contraceptive effect, which lasts just 2 months.
Considering different types of birth control methods, pay attention as to their effectiveness, so and to their side effects.
- When using different barrier contraceptives, the most common side effect is genital itching and burning.
- When using different types of birth control pills, gastrointestinal side effects occur most often.
- Different types of birth control injections may cause pain and redness at the site of solution administration.
The frequency, severity and risk of side effects depend on the type of birth control. For most women, oral contraceptives provide the optimal balance of advantages and disadvantages.
If you want to compare different types of birth control medicines, you can find out from a pharmacist of online pharmacy the information about oral contraceptives.
On online pharmacies, you can find different types of birth control pills and buy the oral contraceptive, which is necessary in your case after a pharmacist’s qualified advice.
For more information about different types of hormonal and non-hormonal contraception, ask all your questions by email or phone. Visitors of online pharmacies have the opportunity to buy different birth control medicines and to get a free advice from a pharmacist in any country of the world.