Because many women are not trying to conceive, I thought we would take a look at all the contraception or birth control methods that are available. Ranging from oral contraceptives to barrier methods to natural family planning choosing the right birth control for you and your partner can be a bit confusing. Here are the pros and cons of the most popular forms of birth control on the market today.

Oral Contraceptive Pills

Also known as birth control pills or simply “the pill” it is the most common form of birth control used by women of childbearing years. The pill is effectively a form of hormone replacement therapy. These pills vary in formula from brand to brand, but overall they work the same. By introducing synthetic hormones, a woman’s natural hormone balance is interrupted. This new chemistry will either inhibit ovulation, the release of an egg, or create a hostile environment in the uterus, making implantation of a fertilized egg impossible.

Pros: The pill is 97% effective and easy to use. Because it is a daily pill that a woman takes regardless of sexual activity many couples prefer it to having to interrupt intercourse in order to administrate birth control. Side effects are few and far between and most women do not report any side effects at all. Most insurance plans cover the cost of birth control pills, and even if they don’t, it is fairly inexpensive. Of course, if a birth control user decides to conceive, the pill is easy to stop and upon cessation, fertility is restored.

Cons: The pill is not available over-the-counter and can only be obtained by a visit to the doctor and a prescription. The pill is only effective when used properly and some women complain that remembering to take the pill everyday can be a nuisance. Forgetting to take a pill can result in an unwanted pregnancy. Though side effects are rarely reported, possible side effects can be weight gain, moodiness, and rarely more serious conditions like blood clots and embolisms especially in women that are over 35 or smoke. There is also an ethical debate about the pill as some formulas allow the egg to be fertilized but prevent implantation. You will need to discuss with your doctor if your birth control pill contradicts your ethics or religion.

The Patch

The birth control patch works very much like the pill by releasing hormones to prevent pregnancy. The difference is that instead of a daily pill, each week a transdermal patch is applied to the skin and the hormones are absorbed through the skin.

Pros: The patch is 97% effective and needs only to be administered once a week. They are cheap and usually covered by insurance. The patch is easily removed and will restore fertility quickly after stopping its use.

Cons: The patches are visible to the naked eye so some women find it embarrassing to be seen wearing these birth control patches. They can only be obtained by visiting with your doctor and getting a prescription. Side effects are rare but mirror the pills side effects as they work the same way.

Condoms

Another popular form of birth control is a barrier method called condoms. These latex sheaths are worn over a man’s penis and prevent semen from entering the woman during intercourse.

Pros: No prescription necessary. This method can easily be purchased over-the-counter and are inexpensive. There are no side effects and are 95% effective if used properly. When still in the package they are small and compact and easily carried in a purse, pocket or wallet. There is a large selection of condoms on the market and they can be bought with lubrication and spermicides already applied. Condoms can also offer some protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

Cons: Condoms can easily be damaged rendering them useless. Because they are thin in order to maximize sensation, they are susceptible to small punctures or tears that can let semen leak into the woman. Some lubricants can also damage condoms, so you will need to be careful when using artificial lubrication. Because condoms are only used during intercourse, an interruption in foreplay will be necessary in order to put on the condom. Condoms cannot be reused.

Diaphragm

A diaphragm is another method of barrier birth control. This is a small rubber dome that the woman inserts in the vagina, preventing sperm from reaching the cervix. It is usually used in conjunction with a spermicidal gel maximizing its effectiveness.

Pros: When used correctly a diaphragm is 90% effective. Fairly inexpensive and a great value as it can be reused for up to three years.

Cons: Diaphragms are not available over-the-counter. Your doctor will need to fit you and then prescribe the correct size. They can also be bulky in their plastic cases and not easily carried with you unless in a purse. Some users also complain that they can be messy to insert with the spermicide. Diaphragms do not protect against STDs.

Intrauterine Devices

Intrauterine devices, otherwise known simply as IUDs, come in two forms. Hormonal IUDs and Mechanical IUDs are both used the same way. These small t-shaped devices are inserted by your doctor into the uterus in order to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. Hormonal IUDs also release small amounts of progesterone.

Pros: Extremely easy to use as it is nearly impossible to misuse and there is no maintenance. Once they are implanted, they remain effective for anywhere between 5 and 10 years. IUDs are generally 90% effective and are easily removed restoring fertility.

Cons: IUDs can be expensive and are not commonly covered by insurance. Your doctor will implant the device in your uterus during an outpatient procedure and some women experience light cramping directly after insertion. Rarely, IUDs can slip out of place requiring medical attention. As with Birth Control Pills, there is an ethical debate about IUDs since they can allow fertilization but prevent implantation.

Injectable Contraception

This is another form of hormonal contraception and comes in many forms including a progesterone injection used every three months and contraceptive implants that last for up to five years. They work by providing concentrated levels of various hormones that interrupt the conception process.

Pros: Again many women prefer these methods as there is little to no maintenance. Once the contraceptive is inserted into the muscles or under your skin by a trained professional, the remain 90% effective for the duration of the treatment (as specified by the producers of your product.)

Cons: These methods can be expensive and not always covered by insurance. Only your doctor can prescribe these methods of birth control and may require periodical doctor’s visits.

Natural Family Planning

Natural Family Planning is the least effective method of birth control, but also the cheapest and, for many, the most ethical. These methods do not mess with hormone levels, or create a barrier, but rather avoid pregnancy by abstinence, the rhythm method (counting days and avoiding intercourse during your fertile period), and the withdrawal method (interrupting intercourse by withdrawing prior to ejaculation.)

Pros: Easy and cheap. Require no doctor’s visits or purchasing over the counter products. Many religions and ethical groups endorse these methods as they do not allow fertilization of the egg without allowing implantation.

Cons: Only 60% effective. Because a woman’s cycle can vary from month to month it is not always easy to determine one’s fertile period by counting days and since semen can be present long before ejaculation, some sperm may be released into the woman before her partner withdrawals.