Being sexually active comes with a lot of anxiety over the risk of pregnancy or getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). And now that sex is slowly becoming less taboo in the Philippines, talking about birth control shouldn’t be a problem.
There is a wide range of birth control methods in the world, but not all of them are available in our country. The Department of Health (DOH) has already established different family planning programs in the past years, and various types of contraceptives can now be purchased over the counter. We’ve compiled a list of available contraceptives in the Philippines that you can choose from.
But remember, it’s still best to consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), especially since each person has different needs and health conditions.
Pill
Maintenance: Take on a schedule
Pills contain two types of synthetic female hormones: estrogen and progestin. These are similar to the estrogen and progesterone normally produced by the ovaries. These pills are called “combination oral contraceptives,” and there are many different kinds.
Healthline says that if used properly, the pill is 99 percent effective. But it’s easy to forget or miss pills. So in reality, it’s about 91 percent effective. Nine out of 100 pill users get pregnant each year. The better you are at following your pill-taking schedule and starting your pill packs on time, the better it will work.
Condom
Maintenance: Use every time
Condoms are small, thin pouches made of latex (rubber), plastic (polyurethane, nitrile, or polyisoprene), or lambskin that cover a man’s penis and collects semen. It stops sperm from getting into the vagina so that it won’t meet an egg and lead to a pregnancy.
Using condoms properly (that is, always checking if there are holes and wearing it properly) will guarantee 95 percent effectivity in preventing pregnancies. However, many tend to be careless in the height of sexual activity. This is why 15 out of 100 people still get pregnant each year even with the use of a condom. This is why you must always be extra cautious when using these.
According to Planned Parenthood, condoms are the only type of birth control that helps prevent STDs. It blocks contact with bodily fluids, which is how disease bacteria is transmitted. So even if you’re on the pill, it would be better if your partner still uses a condom.
Birth control shot
Maintenance: Use on a schedule
The birth control shot, Depo-Provera, is a hormonal injection that prevents unplanned pregnancy for three months at a time. The hormone in this shot is progestin. It works similarly to the birth control pill. It prevents ovulation and increases the mucus buildup around the opening of the cervix.
Progestin prevents ovulation, and when there’s no egg in the tube, you can’t get pregnant. It also works by making cervical mucus thicker. When the mucus in the cervix is thicker, the sperm can’t get through.
Option for Sexual Health says that the shot is a very effective method of birth control. It is about 96 percent effective at preventing pregnancy in typical use, which means that around four out of 100 people using it as their only form of birth control will get pregnant in one year. With consistent and correct use it can be over 99 percent effective.
IUD
Maintenance: Low maintenance
An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s put into your womb (uterus). It releases copper to stop pregnancy, and it can prevent fertility for five to 10 years. It’s sometimes called a “coil” or “copper coil.”
IUDs are one of the best birth control methods out there—it’s more than 99 percent effective. This is because it leaves no room for error: You can’t forget to take it (like the pill) or use it incorrectly (like condoms). And you’re protected from pregnancy 24/7 for three to 12 years, depending on which kind you get. Once your IUD is in place, you can pretty much forget about it until it expires.
Birth control implant
Maintenance: Low maintenance
The implant (aka Nexplanon) is a matchstick-sized, progestin-releasing rod that’s inserted under the skin of your upper arm. Bedsider says that it’s so small most people can’t see it once it’s inserted. It prevents pregnancy for up to four years.
The implant is one of the best birth control methods out there—it’s more than 99 percent effective. That means fewer than one out of 100 people who use Nexplanon will get pregnant each year. It’s also called the get-it-and-forget-it birth control because since it’s in your arm, you can’t forget to take it or use it incorrectly. It prevents pregnancy all day, everyday for up to five years. If you decide you want to get pregnant, you can easily have it taken out by a nurse or doctor.
Contraceptive patch
Maintenance: Use on a schedule
The birth control patch for women is a type of contraception that contains estrogen and progestin. You place the small patch on your skin once a week for three weeks. During the fourth week, you don’t wear a patch, which will lead to menstrual bleeding.
According to Mayo Clinic, the patch works similarly to birth control pills. It prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones into your bloodstream that keep your ovaries from releasing an egg. The birth control patch also thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg.
If you use it perfectly, the patch is 99 percent effective. However, people forget to change your patch on time, or it might fall off. If you often forget or misplace things, you may want to opt for another method like the IUD, implant, or shot.
Cervical caps
Maintenance: Use every time
The cervical cap is a device that prevents sperm from entering the uterus. It is a reusable, deep silicone cup that is inserted into the vagina and fits tightly over the cervix. It’s held in place by suction and has a strap to help with removal. The cervical cap is effective at preventing pregnancy only when used with spermicide.
The Philippine Clinical Standards Manual on Family Planning says that the effectiveness of this method depends on the user. The risk of pregnancy is greatest when the cap is not inserted properly. Typically, about 32 per 100 women who use the cervical cap with spermicide become pregnant over the first year of use. When used correctly, about 20 per 100 women become pregnant over the first year of use.
Fertility Awareness
Maintenance: Lifestyle
Fertility awareness methods (FAMs) help you track your menstrual cycle so you’ll know when your ovaries release an egg every month. The days near ovulation are your fertile days—which is why FAMs are used in conjunction with abstinence or other birth control methods (like condoms) on those “unsafe,” fertile days.
There are a few different FAMs that help you track your fertility signs. You can use one or more of these methods to predict when you’ll ovulate:
The Temperature Method: you take your temperature every morning before you get out of bed.
The Cervical Mucus Method: you check your cervical mucus (vaginal discharge) everyday.
The Calendar Method: you chart your menstrual cycle on a calendar.
It’s most effective to combine all three of these methods. When used together, they’re called the symptothermal method.
Art by Tricia Guevara
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