 Birth control is an essential practice to explore as you start your reproductive health journey for your present and future self. With nearly half of pregnancies all over the world unintended, birth control options help reduce unwanted pregnancies and empower couples to foster healthy families.3 Different methods are available to prevent pregnancy and choosing what is best for your health and lifestyle is important in ensuring that you are able to reap the benefits of birth control without putting yourself at risk of experiencing detrimental effects on your well-being.  What is birth control? Birth control (contraception) is an empowered approach that allows you to take charge of your reproductive health and actively plan for your future family by preventing or delaying pregnancy. This may be achieved through introducing hormones that will modify the stages of your uterine cycle, using barriers that will physically block the entry of sperm into the uterus, or not having sex during fertile days.1 The best birth control option for you may depend on your health history, medications you are currently using, and lifestyle practices that may affect your adherence to a specific method. Additionally, the best way to increase the effectiveness of any method of contraception is adherence and discipline.  Hormonal Contraceptives Hormonal contraceptives are a form of birth control which utilize either progestin or estrogen, two hormones which control the stages of the uterine cycle. Progestin, which progesterone is derived from, suppresses ovulation (the release of an egg) by limiting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which is responsible to activate luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland.2 A surge in LH signals the beginning of your fertile period and its inhibition prevents you from getting pregnant. Estrogen, on the other hand, works by suppressing the development of a viable egg that interacts with sperm to form a baby. Other than being effective birth control options, hormonal contraceptives are also used to manage irregular bleeding in people diagnosed with hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Hormonal contraceptives are a form of birth control which utilize either progestin or estrogen, two hormones which control the stages of the uterine cycle. Progestin, which progesterone is derived from, suppresses ovulation (the release of an egg) by limiting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which is responsible to activate luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland.2 A surge in LH signals the beginning of your fertile period and its inhibition prevents you from getting pregnant. Estrogen, on the other hand, works by suppressing the development of a viable egg that interacts with sperm to form a baby. Other than being effective birth control options, hormonal contraceptives are also used to manage irregular bleeding in people diagnosed with hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Non-hormonal Contraceptives Non-hormonal contraceptives consist of reversible and irreversible options that aim to prevent pregnancy without causing disruptions in your body’s estrogen and progesterone levels, thereby preventing the unwanted side effects of hormonal contraceptive use.  Traditional Family Planning Traditional methods of birth control highlight your willingness and adherence to regularly monitor important dates and events in your cycle, as well as practice self-control on your partner’s end to withdraw prior to ejaculation.4 Tracking your fertile days (period in your cycle when you are ovulating and more likely to get pregnant) may require you to check changes in your temperature at the same time each day, inspect your vaginal secretions for color and consistency, or use a bracelet that will help you monitor specific dates to perform intercourse.2 The failure rate of this type of contraception is 22 out 100, which means that 22 per 100 women are able to get pregnant even after using traditional family planning methods. Aside from preventing pregnancy, traditional family planning methods are also used to help the woman in having a baby as these ultimately track body changes signaling ovulation (when your eggs are released and ready to be fertilized by a sperm). Talking to your naturopathic doctors on what type of birth control is best for your preference, health risks, and lifestyle, are important as you take charge of your health and plan for your future family.  Chemical and Physical Barriers Condoms and diaphragms protect you from getting pregnant by acting as physical barriers that prevent sperm from entering into the vaginal canal or impair their movement. Additionally, physical barriers (such as condoms) help protect users against sexually-transmitted diseases or infections (STDs or STIs). Spermicides, on the other hand, are chemical barriers that contain ingredients which are destructive to sperm. Although helpful in boosting the efficacy of condoms, spermicides may cause vaginal irritation. When used in combination with a cervical cap or diaphragm (internal vaginal barrier methods), spermicides have a good success rate against pregnancy, but these methods do not provide STI protection. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) The widely used form of contraception is the copper intrauterine device (IUD), which is inserted into the vagina for 5-10 years to prevent pregnancy. These devices can protect users from getting pregnant by releasing copper ions that trigger an inflammatory response in the uterus, thereby reducing the survival and movement of sperm.4 Despite being efficient and effective forms of birth control, copper IUD insertion may put you at higher risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), especially when proper hygiene is not practiced. Sterilization Both males and females have the option to permanently avoid pregnancy through undergoing surgery that irreversibly prevents fertility. In women, tubal ligation is a surgical option that seals or removes both fallopian tubes, preventing viable eggs from reaching your ovaries and blocking the entry of sperm that could fertilize these eggs.4 Vasectomies, on the other hand, are surgical procedures that prevent pregnancy by sealing off the vas deferens in males, which is responsible for supplying sperm into the semen. Once performed, the procedure prevents the release of sperm during ejaculation, thereby avoiding the possibility of fertilization. Since surgical methods of birth control may be permanent and lifelong, careful considerations on their implications to your long-term health and well-being are crucial to fully enjoy the benefits of undergoing surgery for your reproductive health. Common Health Issues All forms of birth control have their own side effects, either physically or emotionally, and making the right choice for your health and lifestyle should be your first priority. The use of hormone-based methods may increase risks of cancer and formation of blood clots, which is why the type of birth control should be individualized based on your health risks1 and lifestyle. Since these alter hormone levels and cause changes to the normal stages of your uterine cycle, you may also experience irregular bleeding from using birth control, which can be inconvenient especially when you’re busy and hustling every day! For green tea lovers, oral contraceptives may reduce the clearance of caffeine in your favorite drinks, increasing the risks of unwanted effects of excessive caffeine levels. Intrauterine devices, which are commonly used in this country for convenience, may put you at risk of having pelvic infections and affect your chances of giving birth altogether.1 Most importantly, no method of birth control, except complete abstinence, can guarantee a 100% chance of avoiding pregnancy. As you explore the best birth control options for your optimal health, talking with your healthcare providers ensures you are guided and fully supported through every step. The Naturopathic Approach for Birth Control Recovery Stopping birth control is another step in family planning that includes a variety of steps you should be guided with. If your body has become acquainted with the effects of hormonal contraception, recovering from it may require support as your body adjusts and reestablishes a healthy cycle. Additionally, you will need to support and nurture your liver as it flushes out excess hormones from contraceptive use. Your skin may also show the effects of the imbalance caused by hormonal birth control and managing this is another important factor to consider with your naturopathic doctor. At Natural Path to Wellness, we empower you to make conscious decisions for your reproductive health without sacrificing your optimal well-being. Discover the naturopathic approach for an empowered you! AuthorKate Nemenzo studied in nursing school as an academic scholar. Her passion for holistic health has led her to become a registered nurse who promotes optimal care throughout her patient’s therapeutic journey. When not writing, she spends her time crocheting, watching Korean dramas, and playing the guitar! Comments are closed.
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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