Tag Archives: birth control

Birth Control Methods – Pros and Cons

By Julie Henne-Reese, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner

There are many birth control methods to choose from, but they differ in ease of use, cost and effectiveness. Some are available over the counter while others require a prescription or a medical procedure. MPCP offers several products, including birth control pills, implants (Implanon and Nexaplanon) and IUDs (Mirena and Skyla).

The chart below lists some of the most effective birth control methods, with pros and cons for their use. The descriptions are only an overview and do not contain complete information. Talk to your medical provider about these and other methods to determine what works best for you.

Keep in mind, most birth control products don’t prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Your medical provider can advise you on how to stay safe.

Which Method is Right for You?

MethodEffectivenessFeaturesProsCons
Birth Control Implant99%Matchstick-sized rod that doctor places under the skin of woman's upper arm. Releases hormone to prevent pregnancyLasts 3-5 years. You don’t have to think about itMore expensive than other methods
IUD (Intrauterine Device)99%Placed inside the uterus to prevent conceptionLasts 5-10 years. Low maintenanceMore expensive, may cause irregular/heavy periods
Vasectomy99%For men. Doctor surgically closes the tubes that carry sperm from the testesDoes not affect ejaculationMay not be reversible, more expensive
Tubal Ligation99%Surgeon closes off the fallopian tubes, preventing eggs from leaving the ovariesVery effectiveMay not be reversible, more expensive
Tubal Implants99%Doctor puts a small metal or silicone implant inside each fallopian tube, blocking them and preventing ovulation testVery effective, doesn’t require surgeryNot reversible, more expensive
Birth Control Shot97%Hormonal shot protects against pregnancy for three months. It is injected four times a yearSince you don’t have to think about it, is usually better than birth control pillsMore expensive. May cause spotting and other side effects
Birth Control Pill92%-95%Uses female hormones estrogen or progestin to prevent ovulationVery effective if used right. May cause more regular, lighter periods, or no periodsMay cause breast tenderness, spotting, blood clots and raised blood pressure
Vaginal Ring92%-95%Soft plastic ring goes inside the vagina. It releases the same hormones as the pill. A woman replaces it herself once a monthWorks as well as the pill. May cause lighter, more regular periodsMay cause vaginal irritation or other side effects similar to the pill
Male Condom84-89%Latex condom blocks sperm from entering the woman's bodyInexpensive. One of the few birth control methods to prevent sexually transmitted diseasesNot reusable. Effective only if used correctly every time
Diaphragm84-89%Rubber dome that a woman places over her cervix before sex. It is used with spermicideInexpensiveDoctor must initially fit it to ensure proper function
Cervical Cap84-89%Similar to a diaphragm but smaller. Slips into place over the cervix. Used with spermicideInexpensive, can stay in place for 48 hoursDoctor must initially fit it to ensure proper function
Birth Control Sponge84-89%Made of foam and contains spermicide. A woman can place it against her cervix up to 24 hours before sexEffective immediately. Works about as well as the cervical capCan be hard to put in

Julie Henne-Reese, CRNP

Julie Henne-Reese, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Family Practice. She sees patients in MPCP’s Queenstown office.

Implanon Implant: A Convenient Birth Control Option

by Jamie Harms, M.D.

The Implanon implant is a single-rod Norplant-like birth control device about the size of a toothpick implanted by a certified physician under the skin in a women’s upper arm. It stays in place for 3-years and is forgettable and discreet. It’s a nice form of birth control because it starts working within a couple days of insertion; and should the woman change her mind, she once again becomes fertile soon after the implant is removed.

Implanon’s efficacy is 99%, which is better than that of the pill, primarily due to the simplicity of not having to remember to take a pill every day, since poor adherence to the daily dose of oral contraceptives is usually the most likely reason for failure. It is as effective as male and female surgical sterilization and implantable uterine devices, or IUDs. It’s also more cost-effective than birth control pills; with a monthly cost that is approximately 1/3 lower than that of the pill. Insurance plans that reimburse for birth control, cover Implanon as well.

Implanon is a progestin-only contraceptive product that fills a unique niche that has been empty for the past few years since Norplant was removed from the market. It’s ideal for women who are not planning on having a child soon or who, for medical reasons, cannot tolerate estrogen in their contraceptives. One side effect of the device is irregular menstrual bleeding or no periods at all while using it; outside of that, the side-effect profile of this product is quite good.

The insertion process is a simple, painless procedure that is done in the office and takes but a few minutes. Patients are pleased with the ease of the procedure, and outside of some slight bruising at the point of insertion, there are no adverse effects.

Patients interested in this form of birth control may schedule an appointment by calling 410.643.7800 to perform this procedure at our Queenstown office.