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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.

Concussions & Head Injury

Q: What prompted you to get certified by the CDC in diagnosis & treatment of concussions?

A: I was initially interested as a result of my children’s participation on travel lacrosse teams. I also wanted to expand my knowledge to include head injury assessment in my practice. I see this as key information that needs to be more widely understood by individuals of all ages. The CDC points out that head injuries occur in falls and accidents in young children and older adults, so it pertains to more than sports-related head trauma.

Q: What exactly is a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) or concussion?

A: It’s a complex process affecting the brain caused by a blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the brain’s function. It results in a constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional and/or sleep-related symptoms and may or may not involve a loss of consciousness. MTBI symptoms may appear mild, but can lead to significant, life-long impairment. Symptoms can last from several minutes, to days, weeks, months or longer in some cases.

Q: If I’m a parent of a young athlete, how can I help protect my child before a head trauma occurs?

A: To reduce the risk of concussion or traumatic brain injury, individuals should always wear a seat belt when riding in a motor vehicle, wear a properly fitted helmet when biking, skiing, etc., or when playing any contact sport. Athletes should also get a baseline screening every year before the start of the sports season. A set of simple cognitive tests will allow your health care provider to assess changes that may occur with any subsequent head trauma. Also, parents should check with schools or county sports programs to make sure there is a process in place for handling concussions.

Q: What should I know about the recovery process if a loved one is diagnosed with a concussion?

A: It’s important to limit physical and mental activity after a concussion (generally at least one week) until being reevaluated and cleared to return to normal activities by a health care provider.

Julie Henne-Reese, CRNPJulie Henne-Reese, is a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner at our Queenstown office, who has been with Maryland Primary Care Physicians since 2001. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Ms. Henne-Reese is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Family Practice, and has recently received her CDC certification in diagnosis and testing of MTBI (concussions).