If you don’t like taking pills, there are other birth control methods that work just as effectively. Some are better at preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) while others help relieve symptoms like painful periods. Hormonal contraceptives have the potential to cause blood clots and can increase your risk for certain cancers; there are safer options such as IUDs and implants which don’t use hormones as birth control measures.
Birth control pills
Birth control pills (or oral contraceptives) are widely known to help prevent pregnancy; however, they can also make your periods lighter or more regular and stop any spotting between periods or even lighten heavy ones. Furthermore, birth control can reduce symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome or PMDD, reduce risks related to ovarian and endometrial cancer and help ease transition to menopause (perimenopause) by helping avoid hot flashes during the transition phase.
Pills work best when taken on a consistent schedule at around the same time every day, yet many forget or don’t take them when necessary, leading some healthcare providers to recommend using other methods of birth control such as spermicidal foam or condoms in conjunction with your pill while on it.
Combination birth control pills are the most widely taken form, containing estrogen and progestin to safely stop you ovulating. There’s also a progestin-only pill known as “minipill” that may be more suitable for women who have experienced blood clots in their legs or lungs as well as high blood pressure or migraine headaches in the past.
IUDs
IUDs and implants are highly effective forms of birth control, helping women avoid pregnancy by creating an environment in their uterus that’s less inviting for sperm to reproduce and conjoin with egg to form fertile eggs. Furthermore, depending on which model you select they may also thicken cervical mucus production or restrict sperm movement.
Hormonal IUDs (Kyleena, Liletta, Mirena and Skyla) release small doses of levonorgestrel hormone which works just like birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Furthermore, these devices may make your periods lighter while some individuals even stop experiencing them entirely.
Copper IUDs (ParaGard) do not contain hormones, yet start working immediately to stop pregnancy due to copper’s natural ability as a spermicide – killing any that come in contact with it before fertilization can take place and altering uterine lining to make implanting harder for fertilized eggs. Both types of IUDs are long-lasting, highly effective and easily removed by medical personnel if desired; safe for breastfeeding use and compatible with other methods of birth control such as condoms.
Minipill
The minipill is an oral contraceptive pill containing progestin as its sole hormonal component, making it suitable for women who cannot take combination pills due to health reasons–for instance blood clots in legs or lungs, high blood pressure or heart disease. Furthermore, its use can reduce estrogen side effects like bloating, breast tenderness and cramps while providing reliable contraception.
Work by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining to stop sperm from reaching an egg and fertilized eggs from attaching themselves to your womb, as well as prevent ovulation by keeping your ovaries from producing an egg and releasing one.
The minipill is 87% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly; however, its efficacy lags behind other hormone-based birth control methods. If you miss a dose or your period shortens due to travel sickness or diarrhoea, pregnancy risk increases considerably and backup methods should always be available as backup options. It’s essential that it is taken at a set time each day in addition to having backup birth control available when necessary.