Which contraceptive is right for you?

Every woman should be in control of choosing which birth control method is right for her

Adoctor once shared to me an anecdote about one of his medical missions, where he encountered a poor family living beside the Santa Mesa railway. The husband, wife, and all seven of their children were suffering from tuberculosis. After helping them out, he had returned six months later to check up on them, only to find out that the mother was pregnant once again. I don’t know how to stop having babies, she cried to the doctor.

Another instance that depicts the love-hate relationship our country seems to have with birth control is a personal one back in college. A younger version of myself had inquired about contraceptive pills at a clinic near my campus, as I was in a relationship and wanted to be responsible. Instead of basic information, the gynecologist curtly replied to me, “This is the problem with your generation—you think its the ‘in thing’ to have sex.” I still remember the sting of her words as if it were just yesterday. And to this day, I still wonder why that woman was practicing gynecology.

Lack of knowledge, harsh judgement—this is the grim reality of the state of sex education in the country. Most schools in the city have also remained silent or vague about the topic. When asked, most of my peers cannot recall having a basic sex ed class.

It’s very simple, actually: once you start to become sexually active, you should prioritize your responsibility over it before anything else. In the Philippines, however, natural family planning is the only method approved by the Catholic Church. Determining whether a woman is fertile or not can be extremely difficult, especially when factors such as stress and diet can slightly alter

one’s menstrual cycle. This can be even more difficult when a female has an irregular cycle.

There shouldn’t be any shame in becoming proactive and deciding which birth control method is right for you. Dr. Willie Ong and his wife Dr. Liza Ramoso-Ong guide us on the different methods one can choose from, sharing with us the specific benefits (and possible disadvantages) of each:

WITHDRAWAL METHOD (81% TO 96% EFFECTIVE)

“This method involves the man’s ability to withdraw the male organ prior to ejaculation, avoiding the meeting of the sperm and the egg. The problem with this method is the high failure rate of 4 to 19% in the first year of use, depending on the man’s ability to control himself. Although the method is not perfect, there are an increasing number of couples who practice it with success.”

CONDOMS (96% EFFECTIVE)

“Condoms—a plastic ‘balloon-like’ material worn over the male organ— are the only form of birth control that has the advantage of preventing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. There is a female version called the diaphragm as well.”

CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS (97% EFFECTIVE)

“The pill works by preventing the brain from secreting hormones (called FSH and LH) responsible for production of the female egg. The newer generations of pills have fewer side effects and uses substantially lower amounts of estrogen and progesterone. Minor side effects include nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, fluid retention and weight gain. However, there are certain women who should probably stay away from contraceptive pills, such as those with a history of smoking, high blood pressure, blood clots, breast cysts and masses, and uterine abnormalities. These women should get a clearance first from their doctor.”

INJECTABLE SHOTS (97% EFFECTIVE)

“An injectable birth control hormone can prevent pregnancy for up to three months. Possible side effects include loss of menses (which isn’t necessarily harmful), weight gain and bone loss. Injectables are convenient and effective, and thus are preferred by some women.”

INTRAUNERINE DEVICE (97% EFFECTIVE)

“Commonly used worldwide, the IUD is inserted inside the woman’s uterus and prevents conception mainly by preventing the sperm from reaching the egg in the fallopian tube. An IUD device lasts between five to ten years. Side effects may include menstrual changes, weight gain, headaches and abdominal pain.”

PERMANENT METHODS

“Litigation in females (99.5% effective) and vasectomy in males (99.8% effective) are also available options. Ligation is a surgical procedure, which involves the tying of the woman’s fallopian tubes. Meanwhile, vasectomy is a simple procedure that involves the cutting of the tubes where the sperm passes through prior to ejaculation. The latter is safer and easier to perform.”

One should never feel stuck in terms of choosing their preferred type of birth control. At the end of the day, a sexually active individual should use their discretion when deciding which method best fits their lifestyle, health conditions and personal beliefs.

“WHEN ASKED, MOST OF MY PEERS CANNOT RECALL HAVING A BASIC SEX ED CLASS.