How to choose the best birth control method for you

When choosing a contraceptive method, it is important to consider its advantages and disadvantages. The method needs to suit your personality and lifestyle. For that, Dr. Priscila Beatriz Silvério, gynecologist and mastologist, explains how to choose the best contraceptive. Check out!

How to choose the best contraceptive for you?

When talking about contraceptive methods, it is necessary to remember that contraceptives have the function of preventing an unwanted pregnancy. In addition, some methods offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Before choosing the method that is right for you, Dr. Priscila emphasizes that “it is important to take a series of issues into consideration. Among these points, the specialist cites “health problems, whether or not there is a desire for a future pregnancy, whether or not the patient wants hormones, how menstrual flow is, whether she would have problems not menstruating and the discipline to take medication daily” .

Therefore, Dr. Priscila emphasizes that it is “very important that the choice of the best contraceptive is done together with the gynecologist”.

Types of contraceptive

To help you with that decision, Dr. Priscila lists the main contraceptive methods and comments on the positive and negative points of each one:

Condom

It is one of the most used methods by Brazilians, with a female and male version. According to the gynecologist, condoms are “known as a barrier method and they protect against STIs and pregnancy, when used correctly”.

Advantages: easy to find; low cost; protects from STIs.

Disadvantages: low effectiveness (if not used and stored correctly); it needs to be used from the beginning of the sexual act; only compatible with water-based lubricants.

Contraceptive pill

Also known as oral hormonal contraceptives, birth control pills can be made up of “1 type of hormone (progestogen) or 2 types (estrogen + progestin)”, explained the gynecologist. It is important to say that the pill can improve your skin and even solve some problems regarding your menstrual cycle and flow. However, every method that uses hormones can carry some risks.

Advantages: high effectiveness against pregnancy (when used correctly); it is beneficial for women’s health; Ease of starting and stopping.

Disadvantages: needs discipline to use; increases the risk of thromboembolic diseases; retains fluid in the body; does not protect from STIs.

contraceptive ring

According to Dr. Priscilla, the hormonal contraceptive ring is “composed of estrogen and progestin. It is placed inside the vagina for 3 weeks.” The gynecologist also recalls that “many women do not feel comfortable manipulating their own vagina”. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that the ring will only work if it is placed correctly.

Advantages: does not need strict discipline; does not interfere with sexual intercourse; It is easy to insert and remove.

Disadvantages: does not protect from STIs; not good value for money; the woman needs to remember to withdraw after 3 weeks.

hormonal injectable

The gynecologist explains that there are two types of hormonal injectables: “the first is monthly, as it is composed of estrogen and progestogen; the second is quarterly, being only composed of progestagen”. Therefore, this method is great for women who do not want a lot of discipline to use contraceptive methods.

Advantages: it is an option for women who are contraindicated from using estrogen; does not need strict discipline; menstrual flow reduction.

Disadvantages: does not protect from STIs; can cause headache and mood swings; not a good option for women who are afraid of needles.

copper IUD

The copper IUD is a great option for women who don’t want a lot of discipline and who also don’t want to use hormones. Dr. Priscila says that “it is a long-term method, as it lasts between 3 and 10 years, but it is only possible to put it in the gynecological office”.

Advantages: hormone-free; long term (from 3 to 10 years); can be used while breastfeeding.

Disadvantages: does not protect against STIs; pain and discomfort for insertion; may cause increased bleeding and/or cramping.

hormonal IUD

The hormonal IUD has the same benefits as the copper IUD. According to the gynecologist, the difference is that “it is composed of progestogen, helping to reduce menstrual flow and even, in some cases, causing amenorrhea”. If you’re someone who cares about your menstrual cycle and doesn’t like irregularities, this might not be your ideal IUD.

Advantages: long duration (5 years); reduction of menstrual flow; good for women with endometriosis.

Disadvantages: does not protect against STIs; pain and discomfort for insertion; more expensive than the copper IUD.

hormonal implant

Dr. Priscila explains that the hormonal implant “is also composed of progestin and is currently one of the safest methods possible”. The implant also lasts for a long time and, as it contains hormones, one of the effects will be the reduction of hormonal flow and irregularities in the cycle.

Advantages: long duration (3 years); reduction of menstrual flow; It is practical and reversible.

Disadvantages: can cause menstrual irregularity; chances of changing weight; expensive method.

Knowing more about contraceptive methods is important for you to arrive at the doctor’s office well informed and with your goals outlined. However, do not start treatment before consulting a specialist.

More information on choosing the best contraceptive

As seen, contraceptive methods have advantages and disadvantages. Below, check out more information about the contraceptives covered so far. Also, learn about other methods and professional reports.

Types of contraceptives

In this video, sexologist Cátia Damasceno talks about the five categories of contraceptive methods: barrier, hormonal, intrauterine, permanent and alternative methods. Each method has its characteristics, but it is important to emphasize that only condoms prevent STIs. Watch the video to understand more.

How to choose the best contraceptive

Dr. Margel Pivetta, from the Florescer Mulher Ginecologia channel, explains the main contexts for choosing the best method. Therefore, watch the video and understand what you need to observe to choose the most suitable contraceptive for your profile and your goals.

copper IUD vs hormonal IUD

Understand once and for all the difference between the copper IUD and the hormonal IUD. See what Dr. Fernanda Torras talks about the advantages, side effects and the tests required to insert the IUD. In addition, she selected the most frequent and common questions on the subject. Watch!

Information about the contraceptive pill

In this video, Dr. Margel Pivetta gives a lot of information about the birth control pill. In addition, she cites essential tips for those who intend to adopt this method. She watch the video and understand more about it.

Finally, once again, it is important to reinforce the need for a gynecologist consultation to choose the best contraceptive. If the barrier method is an option for you, how about understanding more about the female condom?

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.