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Barrier contraception methods prevent pregnancy by blocking the sperm from reaching an egg and fertilizing it. Barrier contraceptives consist of a range of devices and medically formulated substances. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, as described below.

Types of Barrier Contraceptives and Their Pros and Cons

Barrier contraceptives are popular because they are easy to use and most are easily obtained from any pharmacy, grocery store, convenience store, or online store. They are relatively safe because they do not introduce hormones or chemical substances into the woman’s body. Although hormonal contraceptives are more effective than barrier contraceptives in preventing pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives are not safe for some women with certain health conditions. Also, some women object to the idea of ingesting hormonal substances, and other women experience unpleasant side effects. Barrier contraceptives are a viable alternative for all of those women.

Male Condom

Male condoms are the most commonly used barrier method. Male condoms are usually the first type of contraceptive that young people use. Condoms are available made of latex, polyurethane, or lambskin. Some are coated with silicone, water-based gel, or spermicide. Use of the male condom is controlled by the male. The male condom wraps the penis during sex and blocks semen from entering your vagina.

Pros: Easily available and affordable, condoms can prevent the spread of STDs when used properly.

Cons: Effectiveness as a contraceptive is compromised when the condom is damaged or not used properly. Using a male condom requires a pause just before the sex act resulting in people foregoing using it at all. It can reduce sensitivity during sex. Condoms can only be used once—a new condom must be used for each act of sex.

Female Condom

The female condom is a thin membrane that is placed inside the vagina no more than eight hours before having sex. Use of the female condom is controlled by the female. With a female condom, a male condom cannot be used.

Pros: The female condom is less likely to tear than the male condom. Like the male condom, the female condom also helps prevent the spread of some STDs.

Cons: Can become dislodged or the penis can penetrate between the membrane and the vagina. Can be uncomfortable for the woman. Can only be used once. A new condom must be inserted for each act of sex.

Contraceptive Sponge

A contraceptive sponge is a small, round sponge that is placed in the vagina near your cervix before sex. It is infused with a spermicidal substance. The sponge helps to block sperm from reaching your cervix and also kills sperm that comes into contact with the sponge.

Pros: You can have sex more than once with the sponge left in place. You can leave the sponge in place for up to 24 hours.

Cons: Requires planning Not as effective in preventing pregnancy for women who have had a vaginal birth.

Vaginal Spermicide

Vaginal spermicides kill sperm or inhibit sperm from reaching an egg. If you use a spermicidal tablet or suppository, you must insert it into your vagina about 30 minutes before having sex. Creams, foams and gels are inserted just before sex. They start working up to 15 minutes after applying them and are effective for up to 60 minutes.

Pros: Can be used in combination with some other barrier methods

Cons: Spermicides are not very effective when used alone. They work best when used with other barrier contraceptives. You have to reapply spermicide before each act of sex. Also, you must leave it in place for at least 6 hours after you apply it. Spermicide may irritate vaginal mucosa. They can be difficult to find in local stores.

Diaphragm

A diaphragm is a soft silicone dome that covers the cervix to block sperm from entering the uterus. It can be inserted three hours before sex and left in place during sex and for at least six hours afterward. It must be removed within 24 hours after sex.

Pros: An advantage of the diaphragm over a condom is you can have sex more than one time with the diaphragm left in place.

Cons: To get a diaphragm, you will need an appointment with your healthcare provider for an examination and fitting. A diaphragm requires planning and careful insertion, as well as the use of spermicide for maximum protection. Users will need a re-fitting after weight gain or pregnancy. It can create a higher risk of urinary tract infections

Cervical Cap

The cervical cap is similar to a diaphragm. It is a small rubber cap that covers the cervix to block sperm from entering the uterus. You must insert the cap before sex and leave it in place for up to eight hours afterward. Like the diaphragm, you can have sex more than one time with the cap left in place. However, you should remove it within 48 hours after having sex.

Pros: Same as a diaphragm.

Cons: Same as a diaphragm. Not as effective in preventing pregnancy for women who have had a vaginal birth.

Drawbacks of Barrier Contraceptives

Barrier methods of contraception are not as effective in preventing pregnancy as many hormonal methods of contraception. The reason for this is that barrier contraceptives are subject to being damaged and improperly used. For that reason, barrier contraceptives are only about 70-75% effective. That means that of 100 women who use barrier contraceptives per year, around 20 or 25 of them will become pregnant.

The most effective barrier contraceptives in preventing pregnancy are the male condom and diaphragm.

Contact Our Specialists to Learn More About Your Options

Barrier contraceptives are convenient and affordable. Many women use them to avoid health risks associated with hormonal contraceptives. To learn more about your options for contraceptive methods, contact the women’s health experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness. They are available to answer your questions and schedule an appointment with one of their experienced professionals.

If you are not ready to have children, you need to think about hormonal contraception. When appropriately used, hormonal contraceptives are incredibly effective. However, hormonal contraceptive methods each have their own pros and cons. Before you decide which contraceptive option you prefer, you may want to consider the pros and cons of different hormonal contraceptives.

What Is Hormonal Contraception?

Hormonal contraceptives of any kind — the pill, the patch, the vaginal ring, the implant — all work by delivering a small number of hormones into your body. The hormones include synthetic (or artificial) estrogen and progestin hormones. Your ovaries produce the natural forms of these hormones.

The estrogen and/or progestin in hormonal contraception will prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg. Without an egg, sperm have nothing to fertilize. Depending on the makeup and formulation of the hormones in the particular contraceptive, it can prevent pregnancy by:

• Preventing ovulation, which means your ovaries do not release an egg.
• Thickening the cervical mucus, making it difficult for the sperm to go through the cervix and find an egg.
• Thinning the uterine lining, making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant itself in the uterus.
• Some combination of the above.

Pros Of Hormonal Contraception

In addition to the convenience of hormonal contraceptives, you may find other benefits of using a hormonal contraceptive. They include:

Reduces Premenstrual Symptoms

Certain hormonal contraceptives can help to alleviate unpleasant premenstrual symptoms. Some women struggle with symptoms like moodiness or physical complaints like cramping or bloating during the week before their period. This is referred to as premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is an extreme form of premenstrual syndrome. The use of hormonal contraceptives may alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms.

Lighter Or No Periods

With many hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills, patches or vaginal rings or progestin-based IUDs like Mirena and Kyleena, you will likely experience lighter and shorter periods. Some women have no periods at all after a few months of using a hormonal contraceptive. They can also help to alleviate painful menstrual cramps for many patients.

Interruption Of Intercourse

Once you are certain you are not pregnant, you can begin using hormonal contraceptives at any time. If you begin using them within the first five days of your period, you do not need additional contraceptives. However, if you begin using them more than five days after your period started, you need to abstain from sex or use another form of contraceptive protection for seven days.

With hormonal contraceptives, you can engage in intercourse without interrupting it for purposes of preventing pregnancy.

May Reduce Risks Of Cancer

Research shows that using hormonal contraceptives may decrease your risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer. These contraceptives may also provide some protection from noncancerous growths. These benefits may be offset somewhat by the possible increased risk of breast cancer, although the risk of breast cancer due to birth control use is likely very low.

Effective Methods Of Birth Control

Hormonal contraceptives are the most effective form of birth control, second only to abstention. Their effectiveness depends entirely on their proper use. For example, the Nexplanon hormonal implant is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy for three years once it is implanted– the woman never has to do anything else. However, the birth control pill loses its effectiveness significantly if the woman forgets to take a pill for a single day.

Cons Of Hormonal Contraception

Certain hormonal contraceptives may not be appropriate for women with certain health conditions. Those include heart disease, high blood pressure, deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism, tumors or breast cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver or kidney problems, along with others. It is very important to discuss this with your health care provider before beginning hormonal contraception. Your health care provider may want to conduct additional testing before prescribing you a hormonal contraceptive.

Does Not Protect Against STDs

Hormonal contraceptives do not protect against STDs. If you plan to have sex with multiple partners, you need to use a condom for protection against STDs.

Possible Side Effects Can Be Associated

Hormonal contraceptives can cause side effects in some women. They may interfere with certain prescription medications and dietary supplements. They can also cause moodiness, breast tenderness, weight gain, and acne. However, some women report an improved mood and an improved complexion while using hormonal contraceptives. The side effects seem to be unique for each woman.

If the side effects are too severe, your health care provider may recommend that you switch brands or use another form of hormonal contraception.

Hormonal Contraceptives Depend On Proper Use For Optimum Effectiveness

The effectiveness of the hormonal contraceptive depends entirely on proper use. For the pill, that means the woman must take it every day. The patch must be replaced every week. For the ring, the woman must replace it every month. The effectiveness of those devices is impaired by human error. Other forms of hormonal contraceptives, like Nexplanon and IUDs, are longer lasting without the woman having to do much of anything to remain protected against pregnancy.

Talk With Raleigh Gynecology And Wellness About Hormonal Contraception

The women’s health experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness are available to discuss the various types of hormonal contraception with you and answer any of your questions about their safety and effectiveness based on your health profile. Contact them today to schedule an appointment.

With the wide variety of contraceptives available to men and women, you may be struggling to figure out which one you should use. The best contraceptive regimen for you depends on several factors, such as your health profile, your lifestyle, and your plans for starting or growing a family.

Types of Contraceptives And Their Effectiveness

Some types of contraceptives are more reliable in preventing pregnancy than others. The most effective types of contraceptives are those which eliminate the risk of human error.

Hormonal Contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives work by preventing you from releasing an egg and by making it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg or for a fertilized egg to implant itself in your uterus. Hormonal contraceptives are very effective when used properly. They can cause side effects which some women find positive but some find negative. Also, hormonal contraceptives may not be appropriate for women with certain health conditions. They are only available by prescription from your healthcare provider.

Hormonal Implant

One of most effective contraceptives is the hormonal implant, called Nexplanon. It is a thin plastic rod that resembles a matchstick. It contains hormones and works by releasing a small amount of hormones into your body that prevents you from getting pregnant. Your healthcare provider uses a special instrument to insert the device under the skin of your upper arm. Once implanted, you do not have to do anything else to prevent pregnancy.

The implant remains effective for up to 4 years. One reason the implant is so effective is that it eliminates the risk of human error. That is, you do not have to remember to take a pill or put on a condom or worry that whatever device you are using malfunctioned.

Hormonal IUD

Another very effective hormonal contraceptive is the hormonal IUD. It is a T-shaped plastic device that your healthcare provider inserts in your uterus. It releases a small amount of hormones that prevent you from getting pregnant. The IUD remains effective for three to ten years.

Hormonal Patch

The patch is a small hormone-infused patch that is applied to your skin. Your body absorbs the contraceptive hormones through your skin to prevent pregnancy. It is very effective but must be replaced every week.

The Pill

The pill is effective if you take it every day at the same time for a certain number of days each month. If you forget to take it or fail to take it properly, it loses its effectiveness.

Vaginal Ring

You use the Ring by inserting it into your vagina and leave it for three weeks. It releases pregnancy-preventing hormones into your body. At the end of three weeks, you must remove it. You can replace it immediately with a new ring to avoid having a period. Alternatively, you can wait seven days while you have a period and then insert a new one.

Barrier Contraceptives

Barrier contraceptives work by physically preventing sperm from reaching the egg. They are effective between 71% and 88% of the time, depending on the contraceptive used. Barrier contraceptives provide one-time protection and they lose their effectiveness if they are not used properly. In many cases, the sex partners choose not to interrupt their intimacy to put the device in place. However, barrier contraception methods are readily available without a prescription in many retail stores and online.

Copper IUD

A copper IUD is a copper wrapped device that your healthcare provider inserts in your uterus. It contains no hormones. Technically, the copper IUD does not create a barrier to sperm, but the copper causes inflammation in your body which is lethal to sperm and eggs. It is highly effective for women who prefer to avoid hormonal contraceptives and are looking for a relatively hassle-free, effective, long-term contraceptive option.

Condoms

Condoms block the sperm from entering your vagina and reaching the egg. However, a condom can fail if it is damaged or if it is not properly fitted. One advantage to condoms is that they are the best way (other than abstinence) to prevent the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease.

Spermicide

Spermicide foam is most effective when used in combination with another form of contraception, such as a condom. It is not sufficiently reliable to depend on when used by itself.

Sponge

The sponge is a soft disk-shaped device made of polyurethane foam. It is infused with a spermicide that blocks or kills sperm.
You must insert the sponge deep inside your vagina before having sex. You must leave it in place for six hours after sex and remove it within 24 hours to prevent infection.

Permanent Contraception

If you know that you do not want more children, a permanent solution is available. Men can have a vasectomy. A vasectomy is an out-patient procedure performed by your doctor where the doctor ties off the vas deferens, which transport the sperm out of your body. Women can have a tubal ligation, an out-patient procedure where your doctor ties or removes your Fallopian tubes.

Contact the Women’s Health Experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness for More Information about Contraceptives

Make sure the contraceptive option you choose will help you achieve your goals safely, suit your lifestyle, and are consistent with your long-term family plans. Consult with the experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness in selecting the best contraceptive for you.

Never before have women had such a wide array for types of contraceptives options to choose from. Over twenty different types are available. Which of these contraceptive options is the best one for you depends on your lifestyle, health profile other factors that your healthcare provider can discuss with you.

Types of Contraceptives

Figuring out which type of contraceptives appeals most to you may be overwhelming. It helps to think about them based on how they work.

Barrier Contraceptives

Barrier devices work by physically blocking the ability of the sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. They include:

• Condoms: Condoms, when used properly, prevent the sperm from reaching an egg. They are also the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The male condom is more effective than the female condom. However, the risk of human error in using condoms affects their reliability as a contraceptive.
• Spermicide: Spermicide is a chemical barrier that can prevent sperm from reaching the egg. However, its effectiveness when used alone is low and must be used along with another contraceptive device.
• Diaphragm: A diaphragm is a flexible silicone dome that is positioned against the cervix.
• Vaginal sponge: The sponge is a small device made of polyurethane foam that contains spermicide. You need to leave it in place for at least six hours after having sex.
• Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD): The IUD is a small, plastic device wrapped with a copper wire. Your healthcare provider inserts it into your uterus. It creates an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to sperm and eggs.

Hormonal Contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives release small amounts of synthetic hormones that prevent pregnancy by preventing you from ovulating, so you have no egg for sperm to fertilize. It makes it difficult for sperm to reach an egg or for a fertilized egg to implant itself in your uterus.

Hormonal contraceptives are highly effective when used properly. They are effective immediately or within a week, depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you begin using them. If you decide you want to become pregnant, you can terminate them at any time and your body will return to its normal fertility almost immediately.

Some hormonal contraceptives are effective for a longer term, while others are effective for a shorter amount of time.
Hormonal contraceptive options include:

• The Pill and the Mini Pill: You need a prescription for any of the hormonal contraceptive pills. The pill contains estrogen or synthetic estrogen and has side effects that can cause health problems in women with certain pre-existing conditions. The mini-pill, which contains only progestin, was developed to avoid the side effects caused by estrogen pills. The pill must be taken once each day at the same time of day for three weeks, followed by a break of about seven days.
• Morning-after Pill: The morning-after pill is only to be used as an emergency contraception option. It contains a high dose of hormones and should be used sparingly. It must be taken within 72 hours of having sex to be effective.
• Hormonal IUD: The hormonal IUD resembles the copper IUD except that the hormonal IUD is infused with hormones. It releases enough hormones every day to prevent pregnancy. It can last for 3 to 10 years, depending on the type.
• Contraceptive Patch: The patch is an adhesive patch infused with hormones that is applied to your skin. Your body absorbs the hormones through your skin to prevent pregnancy. You need to change the patch once a week.
• Vaginal Ring: The ring is made of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer that releases estrogen and progesterone. You can insert it yourself, but it must be replaced after three weeks.
• Injection: Your healthcare provider can administer a contraceptive injection consisting of hormones. It is effective for three months.
• Contraceptive Implant: The implant is highly effective because there is no room for human error. Your healthcare provider places an implant consisting of a small plastic tube filled with hormones. It releases a small amount of hormones each day and lasts for up to 4 years.

Permanent Contraception

Permanent contraception options are available if you decide you never want to become pregnant. These permanent options involve surgery. They include:

• Vasectomy: This is an out-patient procedure for men. The doctor will simply tie off the man’s vas deferens, which transport sperm.
• Tubal Ligation: This is a surgical procedure for women. Your healthcare provider will tie off or remove the Fallopian tubes, which transport the egg. It can be done at any time using a minimally invasive outpatient procedure called laparoscopy.

Contact the Experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness for More Information about Types Of Contraceptive Options

Choosing the best contraceptive is an important decision. Get help making a healthy and safe choice from the specialists at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness. Contact them for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Hormonal contraception methods are very reliable in preventing pregnancy. Hormones can be introduced into your body through the various methods described below. Which method of hormonal contraception best suits your needs depends on a range of factors, including your overall health, age, plans for having children and other factors.

How Hormonal Contraception Works

How hormonal contraception works depends on the types and combination of hormones used. Each method will prevent pregnancy in one or more of the following three ways:

• Prevents ovulation by stopping your ovaries from releasing eggs.
• Thickens your cervical mucus to impair sperm from reaching an egg.
• Thins the lining of your uterus to prevent any fertilized egg from attaching itself to your uterus.

Description Of The Types of Hormonal Contraception

Each contraception method described below differs in the way it delivers the hormones into your body. They may also differ in the hormonal composition and dosage.
Hormonal contraceptives are very reliable when they are used properly. The most reliable forms of hormonal contraception are those that reduce the possibility of human error. For example, when the woman forgets to take a contraceptive pill every day or fails to replace a hormonal patch or vaginal ring in time, an egg may be released and fertilized, resulting in pregnancy. However, when the contraceptive method is used properly, studies show that only about 1 out of 1,000 women get pregnant per cycle.

Combination Birth Control Pills

Combination birth control pills contain both progestin and estrogen. Different combination contraceptive products are taken on different schedules. One of the most common products requires taking a single pill once a day for 21 to 24 days, depending on the product used. It is not taken for four to seven days to allow your menstrual period to occur. Then, you will resume the same cycle of taking a pill each day with a break for four to seven days, and so forth.
Another combination contraceptive product has a schedule of taking a pill each day for 12 weeks, then not taken for one week. On this schedule, you will have menstrual periods only four times each year. With yet another product, you take a pill every day. With this product, you will not have a period, but you are more likely to experience irregular bleeding.

Progestin Only Pills

Progestin-only pills are taken every day at the same time of day. Progestin-only pills are prescribed when taking estrogen may be harmful to a woman’s health. Often, progestin-only pills are suitable for certain women who suffer from migraines, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Hormonal Patch

The hormonal patch is a skin patch that contains estrogen and progestin. It is attached to your skin with an adhesive. The patch should be left in place for one week. After one week, the patch should be removed and a new patch placed on a different area of your skin. This weekly cycle must be repeated on the same day of each week for three weeks. For the fourth week, no patch is used to allow your menstrual period to occur. This weekly cycle should be repeated each month to use the hormonal patch as your contraception method.
The patch is effective immediately if you start using it during the first five days of your period. Otherwise, you need to use a backup method of birth control for the first seven days of starting the patch.
Note that the patch may be less effective in women who are overweight.

Vaginal Rings

Similar to the hormonal patch, the vaginal ring contains estrogen and progestin. The vaginal ring is a small flexible, soft, transparent device that you place in your vagina.
Two types of vagina rings are available:

• One that must be replaced each month.
• One that must be replaced only once a year.

Contraceptive Implant

The contraceptive implant is a matchstick-sized rod containing progestin. Your healthcare provider will insert it under the skin of your upper arm. It releases the hormone slowly into your body and remains effective for up to three years. It is a highly effective method of hormonal contraception.

Hormonal Shots

The hormonal shot requires an injection of a progestin hormone by a health care provider once every three months. The injection is a highly effective method of hormonal contraception.
Also, it does not increase the risk of developing breast, ovarian, or invasive cervical cancer. It reduces the woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer, pelvic infections, and iron deficiency anemia.

Talk With Raleigh Gynecology And Wellness About Hormonal Contraception

Hormonal contraceptive methods are safe and highly effective for most women. Find out which method is most suited to your needs by consulting with Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness specialists. They can answer your questions about the various methods available and schedule an appointment to get you started on a reliable contraception regimen.