Birth control is a method used to prevent pregnancies from occurring. Birth control was initiated 3000 BCE in ancient Egypt and Crete by creating the first condom out of fish and animals’ bladders or intestines and linen sheaths till it progressed into the various and diverse birth control products available today.

What are the different types of birth control?

There’re physical and non-physical contraceptives. The physical type is limited to male and female condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, and vaginal spermicides. However, the non-physical contraceptives are further subdivided into hormonal and non-hormonal methods; for instance, it includes pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs) which are hormonal and non-hormonal, vaginal rings, implants & birth control patches.

How to know the right choice of contraceptive for you?

• Physical contraceptives are suitable for women who have never conceived a child before and for women who have experienced uncomfortable side effects of non-physical contraceptives.
• Hormonal contraceptives are of 2 subtypes:

1. Estrogen and progestin birth control pills.
2. Progestin-only contraceptive pills or the “mini pill”.

Furthermore, hormonal contraceptive pills provide a practical and cost-effective option. If the pill contains both estrogen and progestin then it would be taken for the whole 21 days of the cycle with a break of 7 days. However, if it’s the mini pill then it would be taken every day for the whole cycle of 28 days. Hence, if you’re a forgetful person then it would be more convenient to go along with the mini pill.

• Other people would prefer other methods like Natural Family Planning (NFP) or the withdrawal method since they don’t cost anything and are free of side effects. However, these methods are of higher chances of failing so consequently conception can occur depending on the case. 
• If someone would prefer contraception of a lower maintenance kind then the implants, hormonal and non-hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) are the selected choice. 

What could be some of the expected side effects?

• Nausea.
• Headache. 
• Breast tenderness.
• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting.
• Elevation of the blood pressure.