It is common for people of reproductive age seeking for reliable and safe contraceptive methods. But navigating the world of birth control is not easy. Sometimes it can be hard to find accurate and wholesome information about contraception and fertility control. You may be confronted with many questions. Here, we’ll aim to answer some popular questions about birth control.

Popular Birth Control Questions

1. Which Birth Control Methods Are Most Effective?

This is a tricky question since there are numerous options to choose from. Different birth control measures come with different advantages.

When it comes to the most effective solution, your best bet would be to combine two forms of birth control methods. For instance, while using a pill or ring, use condoms during intercourse. This way, you prevent pregnancy and protect against STDs.

2. What Methods of Birth Control Protect Against STDs?

Only condoms ensure that STDs are not transmitted from one individual to the other during intercourse. Most STDs are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and condoms are your best chance to prevent transmission.

3. Do Some Methods of Birth Control Cause Infertility?

This is one of the stressing birth control questions for many young women. The good news is the birth control protection is temporary and wears off once you discontinue contraceptive use.

4. Is the Pull-Out Method an Effective Birth Control Method?

Not necessarily. It is a tricky method for many. If you look at the yearly statistics, a completely persistent pull-out technique results in 4 out of 100 women getting pregnant. When poorly used, the pull-out method leads to a whopping amount of 27 out of 100 women conceiving.

5. Does Birth Control Work After I Have Had Unprotected Sex?

Relax! The answer is yes. In case you had unprotected sex, an emergency contraceptive pill, also known as the morning after pill or Plan B, is your best option. This works within a certain time period, mostly up to 32 hours. The effectiveness drops with each passing hour.

6. What Is the Cheapest Form of Birth Control?

The pull-out technique is literally free, but its effectiveness is also quite doubtful. It is wiser to think about how much a pregnancy can cost you rather than the cost of the birth control measures.

7. Do Couples, with One or Both Partners Transgender, Need to Use Birth Control?

As long as there are male and female reproductive organs involved in the act of intercourse, pregnancy is possible. It is recommended that birth control measures are used not only to prevent pregnancy, but also as a precaution against STD transmission.

8. Do Birth Control Pills Cause Weight Gain?

If your birth control questions include fear of weight gain, relax! Most birth control methods, including the pill, do not contribute to weight gain. Research, however, does show that birth control shots cause some women to gain weight.

9. Do Birth Control Pills Need to Be Taken at the Same Time Every Day?

If you are relying on a combination of progestin and estrogen pills, a little amount of flexibility in the consumption of these pills is fine. If the pill is just progestin pills, it is highly advised that you take the pill at the same time each day.

10. What Is the Best Course of Action If a Condom Breaks or Is Lost During Intercourse?

The first step would be to pull out the condom using your fingers. You should also take an emergency contraceptive pill in case ejaculation has occurred and you are worried about pregnancy. Note that once a condom breaks or comes off, the risk of STDs rises. Be on the lookout for any changes that may indicate the presence of an infection.

11. Do I Need to Use Other Forms of Contraception with the Pill?

If your birth control questions also include worrying about reliability, birth control pills are effective when taken regularly at the prescribed time. They, however, do not prevent STDs. Using condoms in addition to the pills helps in case you fail to take the pill as required. Condoms also offer protection against STDs. Note that some medications can hinder the effectiveness of birth control pills. In such cases, it is advisable to use condoms for extra protection.

12. How Are Condoms Used/Cared For?

• Always store condoms in a cool, dark place.
• Never store condoms in your back pocket or wallet.
• Squeeze the reservoir tip to remove excess air while easing it on.
• Please do not rip open the condom packet with your teeth. We understand how some moments can get really heated up but that sexy action with your teeth might lead to a break of the condom.
• If you are performing vaginal and anal sex, be sure to switch condoms.
• Use a condom only ONCE.

Many condom packets come with instructions on proper storage and use. Read and implement the instructions.

13. How Can I Find the Right Contraceptive Method for Me?

This question is best answered when you visit a health practitioner. It is important that you share your health concerns and any hormonal imbalances should be checked. If heavy menstrual bleeding is a concern for you, birth control pills could help reduce the flow and ease PMS symptoms.

14. What Are the Potential Risks or Side Effects?

It has been found that taking certain medications, smoking, and the birth control pills can together lead to serious blood clots and other issues. Changes in menstrual bleeding patterns and irregular periods also occur in many women, especially when using Depo-Provera shots, Mirena intrauterine device (IUD) and Implanon implant.

15. Will I Lose My Sex Drive from Birth Control?

This can happen. Birth control pills lower the lust-evoking testosterone levels in the body. This lowers sexual desire. Hormonal methods are most likely to wreak havoc on your sex drive. If your birth control questions also include worrying about your libido, consider going for copper IUD or condoms.