When it comes to preventing pregnancy – there will always be something to give up, regardless of which method you choose.
The popular options are hormonal birth control/implanted device, barrier methods, or a fertility awareness based method.
NONE are 100% effective.
Hormonal birth control
The Upside:
-Although there is a routine that must be remembered and adhered to, you gain the ease of a relatively mindless daily procedure.
-Intercourse can occur at any time – even if goal is to avoid pregnancy.
-It decreases the risk of some forms of cancer.
-It is often covered by insurance; easily accessible.
-Sometimes you gain symptom relief (when applicable).
The Downside:
-You may gain other unwanted symptoms and put yourself at risk for severe side effects like blood clots, stroke, and some forms of cancer.
-You may lose libido.
-You lose valuable health information that our bodies provide via a functioning system and the ability to treat any underlying cause (when applicable) because the action of the synthetic hormones is to shut down the fertility system.
-There is a risk of causing permanent infertility.
-It only gives the user one benefit (out of 3), which is avoiding pregnancy; it carries no knowledge useful for achieving pregnancy or health.
-If and when the user changes her intention in use of the method, it requires time and planning; advised to wait 3-6 months after ceasing the pill to increase chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy.
-Cost is ongoing.
-It can terminate a pregnancy without a woman knowing she’s pregnant.
Implanted device:
-Same as above, but add the possibility of migration of device through organs inside the pelvic cavity.
-Remove the daily procedures of taking a pill, but add the more invasive process of implantation and removal. There is a “shelf life” and at some point, they need to be replaced.
Barrier Methods
The Upside
-There are no synthetic hormones introduced into the woman’s body and no severe side effects.
-A woman can change her mind regarding intention in use whenever she chooses.
-Intercourse can occur at any time – even if goal is to avoid pregnancy.
-Possible to use in conjunction with a fertility awareness method (FAM).
The Downside
-No relief from symptoms (when applicable).
-It requires “suiting up” for sex; requires barrier to be present.
-Can effect pleasure/be uncomfortable/requires clean up and/or disposal.
-It requires some knowledge of “suiting up” correctly to be effective.
-Chemical reactions are possible when using condoms.
-Intercourse occurs during times that are considered infertile anyway if fertility awareness method is not understood (barrier is wasted).
-It is a less effective means of avoiding pregnancy.
-If used in combination with a mucus-only method, it can cause additional discharge that will effect accuracy of observations.
-It only gives the user one benefit (out of 3), which is avoiding pregnancy; it alone carries no benefit of knowledge useful for achieving pregnancy or health.
-Cost is ongoing.
Fertility Awareness Based Method
The Upside:
-All methods are safe with no risks or unwanted side effects.
-Intercourse can occur at any time. (Pregnancy is likely to occur if a day of fertility is chosen for couples with normal fertility).
-Awards the individual with knowledge of self and an array of health benefits, including possibilities of treatment depending on the needs of the woman/couple.
-There are 3 benefits in one (avoid, achieve, and health).
-The woman can change her mind regarding intention in use whenever she chooses.
-It often facilitates more communication between the couple and encourages them to seek growth in other areas of intimacy
-Cost can be a factor, but for many methods is front-loaded and decreases over time.
-HSA/FSA often reimburse. Insurance companies are beginning to cover services more often, but with specific requirements.
The Downside:
-If the intention is to avoid pregnancy, intercourse should only take place outside of the fertile window.
-There is a learning curve and requires time taken to form and incorporate new habits into daily routine.
-You must acquire a large amount of knowledge (also an upside).
-Time is required to research which method works for individual woman/couple. Sometimes multiple methods must be tried before finding the right one.
-Cost can be a factor; hard to find insurance coverage.
Although it has nothing to do with avoiding pregnancy, there are some who use no method at all. It is worth comparing this as well:
No Method
The Upside
-Intercourse can occur at any time. (Pregnancy is likely to occur if a day of fertility is used for couples with normal fertility).
-No extra time is needed to learn a method
-There is no need to remember daily procedures.
-It is safe with no side effects.
The Downside
-No knowledge of body is gained.
-It carries no health benefits (which are helpful for health of the woman, but also to help achieve healthy pregnancy that can be maintained).
-If a need arises to have an intention on avoiding or achieving pregnancy, time and resources must be available to do so.
What are you willing to give up?