You want to get on some type of birth control but it’s like a candy store out there. Choices, choices. Your doctor wants you to take this. TV commercials advertise that. Everything looks groovy and slick. But hang on a minute…what actually works? What’s healthy?
To judge the effectiveness of these contraceptives, we’re going to look at their Pearl Index. The Pearl Index reveals how many users out of 100 become pregnant while using a particular method. The lower the Pearl Index, the more reliable the method. You also want to balance the effectiveness with the pros and cons.
Lady-Comp All Natural Contraceptive
Pearl Index: 0.7
LadyComp is a mini-computer that looks like a round, flat blackberry. It has been pre-programmed with hundreds of in vivo cycles. It combines bio-mathematical calculations and computer forecasting to correctly analyze approximately 1,000,000 cycles in vivo up to the present time to date. Essentially, Ladycomp has been programmed to identify the exact time when ovulation will take place. Placing a small sensor under the tongue each morning allows the unit to correctly identify whether you are ovulating that day or not and displays either a green, yellow or red light. Green light = go for it! Yellow or red lights = use backup method as you’re either ovulating or moving in or out of ovulating.
Pros: Natural, easy to use. No additional costs after initial purchase. Very reliable. If desired, can later be equipped with the Baby-Comp special planning program. Environmentally appropriate and healthy.
Cons: There are a few days a month when abstinence or the use of a barrier method such as a condom is necessary.
Baby-Comp All Natural Contraceptive and Fertility Planner
Pearl Index: 0.7
The sister unit to the Ladycomp. The Babycomp features both contraceptive benefits plus has the main feature of determining when one is most likely to conceive. With this device, one can detect ovulation and optimum days for conceiving, up to 6 days in advance, receive a prognosis of due date, auto-record temperatures and chart cycle, identify days for increased chance of male or female gender, enter when intercourse takes place, detect and indicate date of conception, have data printed for analysis and even use it for contraception. This allows one to either plan a pregnancy or prevent one.
Pros: Same as Lady-Comp but equipped with a special program for all-natural pregnancy planning.
Cons: Same as Lady-Comp
Contraceptive Pill
Pearl Index: 0.1 - 0.9
This is a pill, taken daily, which contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. It prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg by thickening the cervical mucus so sperm cannot pass through it and changing the lining of the uterus so the egg cannot implant.
Pros: Very reliable. Brings increased regularity to menstrual cycle. Tends to reduce menstrual cramping.
Cons: Hormonal influence. Various possible side-effects, such as infertility, clotting, PMS, headaches, irritability, increased cancer risk, osteoporosis, etc. Higher risk when smoking or drinking alcohol. Nausea, weight gain, fluid retention, breast tenderness, headaches, missed menstrual periods, acne. Mood changes, depression, anxiety, fatigue, decreased sex drive. Circulatory diseases. Gastrointestinal disorders.
Mini-Pill
Pearl Index: 0.4-2.5
This is a contraceptive pill that does not contain estrogen. It has progestin only.
Pros: Does not prevent ovulation. Quite reliable. Brings increased regularity to menstrual cycle. Tends to reduce menstrual cramping.
Cons: Requires discipline. Even differences of two hours in the time of taking the pill reduce reliability. Hormonal influence. Often, spotting and inter-menstrual bleeding may occur. Progestin in the mini pill can cause the appearance of ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg attaches and grows outside the uterus). There can also be a change in the body’s ability to use glucose, which is a concern for diabetics.
IUD
Pearl Index: 1-3
An IUD (Interuterine Device) is a small, plastic flexible device with copper or hormones that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy for up to five years. The copper causes added changes in the uterus and can directly inhibit sperm mobility to prevent pregnancy. The hormone IUD releases the hormone (levonorgestrol) which also causes changes in the uterus and the cervical mucus which prevent pregnancy.
Pros: Can be used for one to three years depending on the model chosen.
Cons: Risk of inflammation, infection and pregnancy in the fallopian tube. There may be painful insertion, regular gynaecological examinations necessary. Not suitable for women who want to become pregnant later. Other possible side effects include: Uterine cramping, abnormal bleeding, and heavy menstrual flow. Pelvic inflammatory disease or perforation of the uterus during insertion of the IUD; also violent allergic reaction; infection of the ovaries.
Condom
Pearl Index: 1-5
This is a soft, disposable sheath that is placed over the penis before intercourse. It acts as a physical barrier to prevent sperm from leaving the condom. It also prevents the exchange of genital fluids.
Pros: No side-effects. Offers protection from AIDS. Can be used at any time.
Cons: Can be seen as an interruption to sex play and an intrusion. On highly fertile days, discipline is required. Some women are allergic to latex. Some reduction in sensation on the penis. Breakage of condom. Not leaving space at tip of condom tocollect sperm. Lubrication with petroleum jelly or presence of some vaginal medications weaken rubber condom.
Diaphragm
Pearl Index: 4
This is a latex dome with a flexible steel ring around its edge that is positioned in the vagina over the cervix. It works by blocking the entry to the vagina, so sperm cannot enter.
Pros: No side-effects. Can be inserted spontaneously.
Cons: Must be fitted to the individual woman by a doctor. Insertion technique must be learned and used with a spermatocidal cream. Some women report that it is not very adaptable. Increased risk of toxic shock syndrome. Possible ladder infection or vaginal soreness because of pressure from rim.
Chemical Substance
Pearl Index: 9 – 25
Chemical substances consist of spermicides, the most common spermicide being nonoxinol ‘9’, which attacks sperm. Spermicides come in the form of foams, vaginal tablets, creams, jellies, films and sponges. The spermicide disables or kills sperm upon contact.
Pros: Can be inserted spontaneously.
Cons: Must be inserted into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse. Occasional itching, allergic reactions and inflammation occurs. Not very reliable.
Hormone Injections
Pearl Index: 0.2 – 0.4
This is an injectible substance containing the hormone progestin, which needs to be injected 4 times a year. It works the same way as the oral contraceptive pill by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg, thickening the cervical mucus so sperm cannot pass through it and changing the lining of the uterus so the egg cannot implant.
Pros: Very reliable.
Cons: Serious side effects are possible. High hormone level may cause massive interference in the cycle. Can often results in irregular menstruation. Can lead to a weight gain of around 15 lbs in the first three years of use. Some women have even reported multiple sclerosis-like symptoms. Other possible side effects include headaches, depression and possible bone mineral loss. Not suitable for women who want to have children later.
Traditional Temperature Method
Pearl Index: 2-4
One tracks their fertile days by taking their temperature daily. The information is used to determine when one is ovulating and therefore most fertile.
Pros: No side-effects; natural.
Cons: Involves adhering to many rules and requires discipline. Larger margin of error when various methods are used. Must record temperatures on calendar daily. Prospective interpretation very difficult.
Pill for Men
Pros: Men take the pill.
Cons: Men take the pill. Damaging side-effects.
Mucus Method
Similar to the temperature method, one tracks their fertile days by checking the changes in the vaginal mucus. The information is used to determine when one is ovulating and therefore most fertile.
Pros: No side-effects; natural
Cons: This method is time-consuming and requires training. The mucus method is not very reliable or adaptable as there are 4 different types of mucus and in the case of many women the mucus only appears when it is too late for contraception (i.e. after ovulation). It can be used as an aid to conception.
Sterilisation
Sterilisation consists of either a tubal ligation for women or a vasectomy in men.
Pros: Very effective. Vasectomies are usually reversible and are a minor out-patient procedure.
Cons: Sterilisation in females requires major surgery. Women can still become pregnant and may be at a very high risk of ectopic pregnancies (which are life threatening). In males, it can sometimes lead to sexual problems.So here they are. They most common forms of birth control currently used in North America today. Some of these side effects sure take the fun out of sex, don’t they? The trick is to choose between the most reliable methods with the least painful side effects, short of abstinence. Research them for yourself. Question both traditional allopathic doctors and natural doctors (homeopaths, naturopaths) on these methods and choose the one that you feel most strongly inclined towards.
It’s your body, you get to decide.
References
For more details, visit www.healthybirthcontrol.com.
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