It can be so confusing as a fully grown adult to understand all the contraceptives available to you, not to mention their laundry list of side effects and uses, never mind trying to understand them as a teenager. We have a basic guide here to understand what options you have. Take a look to come to a more informed decision.

 

The Combi Pill (COCs)

The Combi Pill, as the name suggests, is the all-rounder pill that contains both oestrogen and progestin. It is the most commonly prescribed type of birth control pill as it’s more effective than the Mini Pill but can’t be used by people who can’t take oestrogen and have less side effects overall.

However, the benefits of COCs include more regular bleeding patterns, reducing menstrual cramps, improving acne and less chance of ovarian cancer. This is a good option if the goal is to stop or manage your periods more than preventing pregnancy. For more information on these options, consult AnyTime Doctor at anytimedoctor.co.uk.

 

The Mini Pill (POPs)

Progestin-Only Pills are essentially The Combi Pill minus oestrogen. They make for a good option for people in different situations, such as breastfeeding mothers, trans men who don’t want any oestrogen introduced to their bodies, or simply people who want to be less medicated as progestin has minimal interaction with other drug pathways.

However, it’s important to be vigilant with the Mini Pill, as is the case for The Combi Pill, but without the aid of oestrogen, the Mini Pill is optimal with meticulous routine.

 

Extended Cycle Pills and Continuous Pills

Designed to be taken for 12-13 weeks before taking a break, compared to 21-28 days for typical pill packs, extended cycle pills allow you to manage your period on top of offering birth control. Typically, it aims to reduce the total number of periods per year, but every woman is different and it’s possible you could get a different result, as is the case for The Implant. However, if it works as intended you can enjoy less frequent periods, reduced symptoms, and improved contraceptive efficacy as you’re filling the gaps in your monthly cycle with contraceptives.

 

There are more options

And then there are the other options that don’t involve a pill. Pills can be accidentally skipped and come with a range of side effects that might put you off. Other options include the patch, the ring, the IUD, the implant, injectables, and more. If you’re really not ready to be pregnant, it’s a good idea to double up to be sure. Here’s a rundown of your options:

• Intrauterine devices or IUDs are T-shaped devices inserted into the uterus that release either copper or progestin to prevent pregnancy.
• Contraceptive implants are small rods implanted under the skin of the upper arm that release progestin and have the highest rate of success at 99%.
• The contraceptive patch is a transdermal patch placed on the skin that releases oestrogen and progestin.
• The vaginal ring is a flexible ring inserted into the vagina that releases oestrogen and progestin.
• Injectables are shots administered every 2-3 months with progestin to prevent ovulation.
• The diaphragm is a dome-shaped cup inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix to block sperm. Must be used with spermicide, which are creams, gels, foams inserted into the vagina to immobilize and kill sperm.
• The cervical cap is a thimble-shaped cup that fits over the cervix to be used with spermicide.