The Pros and Cons of Birth Control
What contraception offers and what it can cost you
Birth control, also called contraception, covers the methods and devices people use to prevent pregnancy, from pills and patches to barrier methods. It lets you decide if and when to have children. Each option has its own advantages and drawbacks, and which one fits depends on your health and your situation.
Some people start for family planning, others to manage a health condition. Here are several benefits and drawbacks worth weighing before you pick a method.
Pros
Most of the benefits concern planning a family and looking after your health.
Family planning
Being able to plan and space pregnancies is one of the main benefits of birth control. Having that choice gives you room to finish an education, build a career, or get your finances in order first. It also gives you time to become emotionally and mentally ready for parenthood. When you decide when to start a family, the decision about your future rests with you and is made with more information in hand.
Regulating menstrual cycles
Certain forms of birth control, hormonal contraceptives among them, can make periods more regular and lighter. That helps most if your periods are heavy or irregular, and it can also help people with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A cycle you can predict and manage is easier to live with, and it can improve reproductive health and general well-being along the way.
Managing health conditions
In some cases, the reason to start birth control has little to do with pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives are often prescribed to manage endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and acne, which gives them a therapeutic role alongside contraception. For people living with one of these conditions, the relief can noticeably improve their quality of life.
Improved skin
Certain forms, hormonal contraceptives in particular, are known to improve skin conditions such as acne. Regulating hormones can lead to clearer skin and a better appearance. For many people, that alone is a significant benefit.
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Cons
The drawbacks range from medical risks to practical matters such as cost and keeping to a schedule.
Health risks
Hormonal methods in particular may be linked to a higher risk of certain health problems. Blood clots and high blood pressure are on that list, along with breast tenderness and mood changes. Which method is safe for you depends a lot on your medical history, so talk it through with a healthcare provider, along with any health concerns you already have, before you choose.
Side effects
Many types of birth control cause side effects, ranging from mild to severe. They can include changes in menstrual bleeding, weight gain, headaches, and nausea. Some people barely notice them. Others find them intolerable. Before you settle on a method, it helps to know which side effects it can cause and how they might affect your daily life.
Fertility concerns
After stopping certain forms of birth control, particularly hormonal ones, it may take some time before fertility returns to its normal state. That matters if you plan to conceive in the near future, or if you want to avoid any delay in getting pregnant once you stop. It is worth asking about before you choose a method.
Financial costs
One drawback of birth control is simply what it costs to obtain and to keep using. How much you pay depends on the method you choose and on your health coverage. For some people that means ongoing expenses, month after month, which not everyone can afford.
Inconvenience and compliance
Some forms of birth control only work as intended if you stick to a strict schedule or replace them on time, and many users find that inconvenient. Forgetting a dose or not following the usage guidelines can make the method less effective. When that happens, the risk of an unintended pregnancy goes up.
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Conclusion
If you have a history of blood clots or high blood pressure, or you want to get pregnant fairly soon, bring it up with your healthcare provider early, because it narrows down which methods make sense. For any method that needs a strict routine, be honest with yourself about whether you will keep to it.
What do you think?
Do you think the pros outweigh the cons?