One of the best ways to prevent early or unwanted pregnancy is through hormonal birth control formulas. The problem begins when you don’t know which contraceptive is most appropriate for your body. Furthermore, the most suitable way to use birth control can make all the difference if you tend to forget things or if you enjoy convenience.

How Birth Control Works

Most hormonal contraceptives work by inhibiting a woman’s ovulatory cycle1. It stabilizes only one of the hormonal phases, preventing the other hormones that complete the ovulatory cycle from prevailing. As a result, ovulation does not occur.

There are several contraceptive methods. Talk to your doctor to find out which one is best for you
The person who can best guide you about which birth control method is most appropriate for you and your body type is your doctor. But it is always good to know what options are available among all the different hormonal contraceptives on the market. Currently, the types of hormonal contraception are:

  • Oral
  • Injectable
  • Patches
  • Intrauterine devices
  • Subcutaneous (implants)

What Is the Best Birth Control for You?

The way each one is used can be decisive when choosing the best birth control for your case. Read through this list and, together with your doctor, make the most informed decision. Check out below the types of birth control and how to use each one:

Oral

The oral form is the most commonly used, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best birth control. Usually, birth control pills are based on estrogen and progesterone. Ethinylestradiol, a synthetic hormone, and estradiol valerate are derivatives of estrogen and are effective in contraception when used properly and at the ideal dose. Most of the time, packs contain 21 pills, which must be taken at the same time daily, with a 7-day break, and resumed on the eighth day.The pros: This form of contraception is affordable and easily accessible, as well as very effective. Some pills are provided at public health clinics2.The cons: Undisciplined women may easily forget to take the pill. If you happen to forget just one day, your cycle can be thrown off and you may enter your fertile period due to discontinuing the medication. That’s why talking to your doctor is always important to make sure this is the best option for you and what is the best oral contraceptive.

Injectable

With a formulation similar to oral contraception, the monthly injection is also based on estrogen and progesterone. It should be injected once a month, always around the same time, with a maximum tolerance of three days earlier or later. The injection works gradually in the body, releasing a small amount each day.The pros: For women who often forget to take the pill, the injection is a perfect alternative because you only need to remember it once a month instead of every day.The cons: The injection may not be the best option if you want to become pregnant soon. It takes considerably longer than the oral pill to leave the body, and, in addition, it may cause a lot of breakthrough bleeding if stopped, resulting in coffee grounds-like periods. The biggest disadvantage of this method is that it cannot be stopped mid-cycle.About injections: There are also progesterone-only injections, which are a great option. The main difference is the frequency—they are given every 3 months and can be used by women who have just had a baby. It is definitely the best birth control for women who have recently given birth. However, they take longer to be eliminated from the body. Also, failures can occur and a woman may end up pregnant.

Hormonal patches

These are patches that can be changed every 21 days and applied anywhere on the body, although they should preferably be used on the inner thigh or back. It releases small amounts of contraceptive every day, which are absorbed through the skin. It works much like the injection, with the advantage that it can be removed at any time.The pros: Like injectables, the patch works regardless of whether you forget. The best news is that it’s a very gentle product and, in rare cases, causes swelling or weight gain. There are several brands of patches with different formulations available. The most well-known brand in Brazil is Evra.The cons: The patch should be applied to a different place on the body each time, and areas with friction should be avoided so it doesn’t come loose mid-cycle. It can also cause nausea during the first and second cycles of use.

IUD

Hormonal intrauterine devices work much like the pill. They release hormones continuously for their duration, which is usually 5 years. They are inserted in an outpatient procedure done right in the doctor’s office. There are also copper IUDs, which don’t use synthetic hormones.The pros: IUDs are great for those looking for a good long-term contraceptive method, and are also very safe3.The cons: They are expensive and can only be inserted or removed by a doctor. There is also a remote possibility of displacement, which can create a chance for pregnancy and cause some discomfort.

Subcutaneous

These are implants with a composition very similar to the IUD. The difference is that they are placed under the skin. They last for at least 3 years. It has been chosen as the best birth control method for women who wish to wait longer before becoming mothers, or for those who, for some reason, need a more effective method of prevention. A curiosity: this was the contraceptive chosen by São Paulo’s Hospital das Clínicas for women living on the streets. Because of this, we know it is a practical, safe, and long-lasting birth control option.

The pros: They are very easy to insert. Most of the time it is a painless procedure since a local anesthetic is administered. They are safe and last a long time.The cons: They are expensive and not all insurance plans cover this type of birth control. To have it placed, you need to go to a private clinic or wait in line at a public health service for the procedure to be done for free. The most well-known brand on the market is Implanon.Birth control methods have some variations in their formulations, which is why there are so many options on the market. Different formulas also tend to have some advantages. To give you an idea, here’s a list of formulations besides progesterone and estrogen and their particular benefits:

  1. Gestodene: Micropil, Ginesse, Femiane, Diminut, Harmonet, Tamisa, Ginesse (which helps increase libido)
  2. Desogestrel: Mercilon, Gracial, Mercilon Conti, Minian, Femina, Primera and Minian (which helps control weight gain)
  3. Cyproterone acetate: Diane 35, Selene, Diclin, and Artemidis (which has a high estrogen content)
  4. Drospirenone: Yasmin, Yaz, and Elani ciclo (great for preventing premenstrual bloating)
  5. Chlormadinone: Belara (prevents skin problems often associated with birth control)
  6. Dienogest: Qlaira (excellent for reducing heavy menstrual flow)

Don’t forget: only a doctor can determine which is the best birth control for your body, your needs, and your particularities. There are various formulations with different hormone dosages, and your doctor is the one who will know the correct dose. Never take medication without medical advice.For women who are thinking about becoming pregnant, it’s important to know that it can take a few months to get a positive result after prolonged use of birth control. The best way to ensure everything happens as quickly as possible is to give your fertility a little extra help.See also: Getting Pregnant While Taking Birth Control: Can It Happen?