Things about birth control options you need to know

When it comes to your sexual health, knowledge really is all kinds of power. Moreover, if birth control isn’t a part of your sexual discourse—with a partner or another consenting adult—then you need to put everything aside and learn exactly what birth control options are available to you.

When it comes to birth control, one can never know what qualifies as true unbiased medical opinion and what is a collection of myths.

Covering the basics helps; for example, getting yourself screened for STDs before you engage in consensual sexual interactions with another adult who has also gotten themselves screened. Outside of that, here are a few questions about birth control options out there answered.

Does birth control protect me from STDs?

• The answer to this question is a rather unsettling no. Not all birth control options are made equal, some serve certain purposes better than others. For example, they will all protect the woman from getting pregnant, but all birth controls differ in how effective they are.
• The male condom is the only proven way of avoiding STDs such as HIV. However, it is a surprisingly largely held belief that contraceptive pills avoid or protect on from STDs. This is definitely not true.
• Even the female condom is not at good at protection. Even with male condoms, the level of protection is compromised when latex is swapped out with other materials, as is the case with those who suffer from latex allergies.

How do I choose from the many birth control options?

• There are 18 birth control options to choose from—these include spermicides and abstinence. The latter isn’t even technically birth control, but it avoids pregnancy, so it falls under the category.
• Understandably, it can be difficult to make a choice that can be best for you. Of course, women should have full control over when they choose to be pregnant, and if they have a consenting partner(s) then they need to pique in as well.

Objectively, there is no best birth control method out there as they all come with their pros and cons.

What are some factors to keep in mind when deciding upon birth control?

• Any pre-existing health conditions
• How often you and your partner engage in sexual intercourse
• Side effects you (or your partner) are susceptible to
• Your decision on kids and if and when to have them
• Your number of sexual partners
• You (and your partner’s) level of comfort with the method

What is the most effective of all birth control options?

• Unsurprisingly, the most effective form of birth control is also the most permanent of the lot. Surgical birth control—vasectomy for men and tubectomy for women—is 99.9% effective at birth control. It is a slightly invasive procedure best for those who’re looking to never have children. However, men often freeze their sperm and turn to it if and when the couple change their mind.
• This is next to impossible to undo, and even if it is managed, the likelihood of having a child is drastically reduced. However, this birth control method does not protect from STDs such as HIV.
• Partners still need to use condoms to avoid infection or get themselves screened for STDs.
• A nonsurgical option available to women that 99.8% effective is the Essure permanent birth control system. It takes months to be effective and is essentially a kind of scarring of the fallopian tubes such that they become inefficient and can no longer transport the egg.

What are some side effects of typical birth control options?

• This issue is not nearly addressed as enough and as often as it should be. Women often get the short end of the stick when they take pills since they can cause side effects such as nausea, gastrointestinal problems, increase in menstrual flow, mood swings, hormonal imbalance, and skin problems, the list is long and lousy.
• These, along with other, reasons make the condom a much better birth control option, be it the male or the female condom. There are also birth control shots and sponges.
• If you or your partner is susceptible to the adverse side effects of some forms of birth control, it is best to take it slow and get medical advice. It is always better to consult a doctor when you are dealing with something that you are not sure about.