Long-term options are often the most convenient for women who want to prevent pregnancy for at least a year. With all options, you might experience a change in your menstrual cycle and possibly stop getting your period altogether. Short term options Oral contraceptives: Pills vary in the amount of hormones delivered and whether you continue to have a period. Some trigger a menstrual cycle every month, some every three months, and others can be used continuously without a cycle. Many women believe that oral contraceptives cause weight gain, but several studies have shown that they do not cause a significant change in weight.
Vaginal ring: Commonly known as the NuvaRing, this is a plastic ring inserted in the vagina, delivering both estrogen and progesterone. The ring is left in place for three weeks, or four if you choose to not have a menstrual cycle. At the end of a cycle, you dispose of the ring and insert a new one. Patch: The patch is placed like a Band-Aid on an area of your body with fatty tissue and you absorb the hormone through your skin — just as effectively as from a pill.
You remove and replace the patch once a week, skipping a patch every three weeks to have a menstrual cycle. After a couple of doses, most women stop having their period. There is an increased risk of weight gain and lower bone density for the duration a woman receives the injections. Long term options Intra-uterine device IUD : Different types of hormonal IUDs last between three and five years, delivering varying amounts of progesterone. The non-hormonal copper IUD can last 10 years.
A common myth is that IUDs can affect fertility, but studies show that most women are able to conceive within one year of having an IUD removed. A rare side effect is benign ovarian cysts. Implant: A matchstick-size piece of plastic, known as Nexplanon, is inserted in your arm, just under the skin. Surprisingly, lots of parents are more open to discussing sex and birth control than people think.
Starting the conversation is the most difficult part since it can seem so awkward and embarrassing. If you can't talk to your folks, though, you can still get the Pill or the ring or patch from a health clinic like Planned Parenthood.
Health clinics can also give you confidential advice on protecting yourself against STDs, like using a condom every time you have sex. Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. She received a double B. Korin has been published in Read more. Topics news birth control contraception reproductive health breast cancer. Sign up for our SELF Daily Wellness newsletter All the best health and wellness advice, tips, tricks, and intel, delivered to your inbox every day.
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