Far too many people don’t realize how impactful the decision to choose a permanent form of birth control is. It’s about more than deciding if you will or won’t have children at some point and under which conditions — it’s a decision that impacts every aspect of your life, from your health to your finances to your emotional well-being.
It’s important to know which methods suit your current needs and make an informed decision that aligns with your plans. Each method has pros and cons, and permanent methods are a long-term commitment, so spend as much time as you need to pick a suitable birth control method.
If you want to switch or it’s your first time, but you can’t decide, we are here to help. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about permanent birth control options to make you confident in your choice. Let’s take a look.
What Matters Most When Choosing a Birth Control Method?
Before we address your permanent birth control options, you should know that there’s no one-size-fits-all. And what works for your friend or colleague might not be your best option.
Here are some of the questions to answer to find clarity about your unique needs:
- Your plan for children: Do you want to have kids later, or not interested?
- Side effects: What are each method’s side effects, and are you willing to handle them?
- What’s the cost? The cost of birth control methods varies. Some can be expensive upfront; check if your insurance covers it.
- Do they protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Barrier methods such as condoms offer protection against STIs. Most of the methods used in the body do not.
Birth Control Methods
1. Hormonal Birth Control Methods:
These methods are simple to apply, and that’s why many people prefer them. But they do have side effects such as increased bleeding during the first few days and cause a hormonal imbalance leading to mood swings.
Birth Control Pills
The pills come progestin-only or in combination with estrogen. If used consistently, they can successfully prevent pregnancy by suppressing periods.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
They are small devices with T-shaped copper (hormone-free) or hormonal (Mirena) that are placed into the uterus and work for 3-10 years with 99% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
Hormonal Shots
Hormonal shots such as Depo-Provera usually require an injection every 3 months. They are 99% effective, but this can be reduced if you are late on the shots.
Hormonal Implants
Birth control implants inserted under the skin and the hormones they release prevent pregnancy with high accuracy for up to 3 years. About 1 in 1,000 women can get pregnant with the implant.
2. Barrier Methods
Condoms
Male and female condoms are popular barrier birth control methods that prevent sperm from reaching the eggs. Although less effective than other methods, they are good at STI protection.
Spermicide
This is a less common barrier method. Spermicide is a chemical that makes sperm ineffective, and it works well when used with other methods, such as condoms.
Cervical Cap and Diaphragm
These devices are inserted into the vagina and work with spermicide and are about 86% effective with perfect use.
3. Permanent Birth Control Options
Tubal Ligation (Female Sterilization)
Female permanent birth control is commonly done through tubal ligation. This is a surgical procedure (laparoscopically) in which the ends of fallopian tubes are cut or sealed, tied off with bands, clips, or rings that block eggs from making their way from the ovaries to the uterus.
With 99% accuracy, only 1 in 100 women might get pregnant after this procedure.
The good thing with female sterilization is that it does not interfere with your hormonal cycle, so no irregular menstrual cycles, frequent mood swings, or even weight gain due to hormone imbalance.
When the operation is done, you should be back on your feet in a week; the full recovery might take a couple of weeks. And while it prevents pregnancy, you are not safe from STIs, so consider using other methods.
Vasectomy (Male Sterilization)
Vasectomy is one of the most widely used procedures to get permanent birth control in men. It requires minimal to no incision (no-scalpel vasectomy), which means no larger cuts or incisions- just a small puncture or incision to access the vas deferens- the tube that carries sperm will do.
With slight tissue disruption, local anesthesia is enough, and healing is quick after the surgery. Other than a few discomforts and swellings in the affected area, recovery usually happens quickly.
But within the first 3 months of the procedure, consider using barriers as they might not be effective yet. Like tubal ligation, having a vasectomy doesn’t mean you are safe from STIs; always use condoms to enhance protection.
Conclusion
It can be tricky to find a suitable birth control method to choose, but it doesn’t have to be. From temporary to permanent, this guide has all you need to make an informed choice. If you’re sure you don’t want children or any more children, permanent birth control might be your best option. However, this choice is permanent, so think very carefully before making this choice.
It’s always advisable to talk to your partner and doctor about each method’s benefits and potential effects. We hope you find the best option that aligns with your goals and protects your future.