Can You Lose Weight While on the Birth Control Pill?

Every birth control has benefits and side effects. The decision about whether to use birth control pills and/or another method of contraception is personal. The doctor may be able to guide individuals so that they can identify which method will be the best for them to prevent pregnancy safely and effectively. The following are a few birth control methods with the least amount of side effects

Abstinence: The only 100 percent certain way to avoid pregnancy is to not have penis in vagina sex or do any sexual activity where sperm can get on the vulva or in the vagina. This method is called abstinence.

• Advantages
  • The only method which is 100 percent effective to prevent pregnancy.
  • No side effects.
• Disadvantages
  • It may be difficult to abstain from all sexual activity for extended periods.

Male condom: This provides 84 percent effectiveness at preventing pregnancy.

• Advantages
  • Widely available over-the-counter.
  • Easy to carry.
  • Protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• Disadvantages
  • It may break during use, especially if it is used improperly.

Female Condom: This provides up to 79 percent effectiveness at preventing pregnancy.

• Advantages
  • Female-controlled.
  • More comfortable to men because it gives more sensation than a male condom
  • Offers protection against sexually transmitted diseases (covers both internal and external genitalia).
  • Can be inserted before sex.
  • Stronger than latex.
• Disadvantages
  • Not aesthetically pleasing.
  • Can slip into the vagina or anus during sex.
  • Difficulties in insertion/removal.
  • Not easy to find in drugstores or other common sources of condoms.
  • Higher cost than male condoms.

Withdrawal or pulling out method: This provides up to 78 percent effectiveness at preventing pregnancy. In this method, an individual may need to pull out from their partner before ejaculation.

• Advantages
  • Can be used in combination with other birth control methods.
  • No cost involved.
• Disadvantages
  • May not withdraw in time.
  • Pre-ejaculate can still contain viable sperm.

Sterilization: This provides up to 99.5 percent effectiveness at preventing pregnancy.

• Advantages
  • Highly effective.
  • Long-lasting contraceptive solution.
• Disadvantages
  • Reversal procedures are expensive and complicated.

Contraceptive patch: This provides up to 92 percent effectiveness at preventing pregnancy.

• Advantages
  • Small and easy to use.
  • Stays on the skin without much disturbance to daily activity.
• Disadvantages
  • Skin rash.

Emergency contraception: This provides up to 89 percent effectiveness at preventing pregnancy. Usually found in stores as “morning after pill” or “Plan B.”

• Advantages
  • Reduces the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent when started within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
• Disadvantages
  • Must be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.
  • Possible side effects, including nausea, vomiting and irregular bleeding.

Conclusion

A condom with any type of birth control is the only way to get protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during vaginal sex. No birth control method is perfect. Using condoms with another type of birth control (such as an implant, intrauterine device or IUD or birth control pill) gives backup protection in case either method fails. Also, condoms usually reduce the chances of getting all kinds of sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes. Using a condom with any birth control is the safest and most effective contraceptive method.