How To Avoid Pregnancy Scares
Many of us have experienced an unwanted pregnancy scare, those moments can be terrifying. Having kids can be life-changing and not everyone wants to be a parent or is ready to become one. Although there is no way to 100% avoid getting pregnant if you are sexually active, there are a ton of options to help get you pretty close to that 100%.
Get Talking
Whether you’re having sex with someone new or a long-term partner, birth control methods should always be a topic of conversation. It’s easy to get into the mindset of “it would never happen to me,” but there’s no way to know until you’re faced with it. Safe sex is a two way street and everyone shares equal responsibility. Women are often the ones carrying the burden of managing birth control because they are the ones who can get pregnant and sometimes the one taking birth control. However, we want to empower you to be a part of the conversation and informed of the options.
If you’re going to have sex with someone new, there are a couple of ways you can go about this topic. First, you can default to wearing a condom no matter what. This is our favorite option because it will not only protect you from an unwanted pregnancy, but also from STI's. Our condoms are made with 100% natural latex and come in ultra-thin, ribbed, and extra-large. If you don’t have a condom or don’t want to use one (again, we highly recommend wearing condoms when you don’t know your partner’s STI history), ask them if they are on any form of birth control. Having that peace of mind will help everyone feel much more at ease moving forward and in turn lead to better sex.
When you have a long-term partner, the birth control conversation may not come up as much. It’s easy to get into a rhythm of what works for you. Every once in a while, we recommend checking in with your partner to see if status quo is still working for them or if they want to change things up. If your partner is using birth control such as an IUD, pill, or shot, it’s important to remember that the decision is deeply personal and unique to them. People have all sorts of reactions and side effects to different birth controls, so help support them by encouraging them to choose whatever method works best for their body and lifestyle.
Get Educated
A survey done by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than half of men said they don’t know a lot about the different contraceptive options and one out of five men said they know little-to-nothing about it. We want to help change that, so here’s a crash course on birth control.
Prescription Methods
IUD's, Implants, Rings, Shots, and Pills are all forms of birth control that people usually have to see a doctor to get. There are some advancements being made with OTC birth control pills, but the majority require a prescription. Since all of these methods require hormones or a procedure, there can be short or long term side effects. Everyone is affected differently and side effects can be all over the map including cramping, an increase or decrease in bleeding, weight gain or loss, mood swings, nausea, and headaches.
Intrauterine Device (aka IUD): ~99% Effective
IUD's are one of the more invasive, but long term birth control options, lasting between 3 to 12 years depending on the brand. It’s a small T-shaped device that gets placed inside the uterus (hence the name intrauterine). There are two different materials that it can be made out of -- copper and hormonal. Copper IUD's act as a repellent for sperm whereas hormonal IUD's thicken the walls of the cervix, trapping the sperm and sometimes prevent eggs from leaving the ovaries in the first place.
Implant: ~99% Effective
This is a little rod, also known as Nexplanon, containing hormones that gets implanted in an arm. You’ll get a numbing shot, get a little cut, and have it stuck in. It lasts up to 5 years and does the same thing as hormonal IUD's which thicken the cervical lining and prevent eggs from dropping.
The Shot: ~96% Effective
AKA The Depo Shot (or Depo-Provera) is a shot of progestin given every 3 months. It’s essentially the same as the other forms of hormonal birth control, but just in injection form.
Vaginal Rings: ~93% Effective
There are two different types of rings, the NuvaRing and Annovera. These are both disc-shaped rings that get inserted into the vagina, similar to a tampon or period cup. But unlike menstruation products, it’s hollow, so you can still have sex with it. The NuvaRing lasts for 5 weeks, so it’ll be changed about every month. The Annovera is worn for 3 weeks, left out for 1, and is reusable for a year. They also use hormones to thicken the cervical lining and prevent ovulation. Remember that you can’t use any vaginal suppositories, oils, or silicone-based lubricants while the ring is inserted. So, if your partner is using the ring, check out our water-based lube instead.
Birth Control Pills: ~93% Effective
“The Pill” is one of the more commonly talked about birth control methods. Just like any other method, some people love it and some people hate it. Some people also take the pill to help with PMS or menstruation symptoms like cramping, hormonal acne, and heavy bleeding. It has to be taken once a day around the same time every day in order to be most effective, so it requires the most involvement out of other prescription birth control methods.
Each pill contains hormones, which can vary between estrogen and progestin or progestin only depending on the type, and work the same as the previous methods. Some people still get their period on the pill and some don’t. The key is that the hormone stops ovulation, not the period for protection against pregnancy.
Barrier and Physical Methods
These birth control methods are exactly as they sound. They are barriers and physical products that prevent the sperm from coming in contact with the vagina or slow down the sperm before it reaches the egg. Spermicide, diaphragms, and sponges help prevent pregnancy, whereas condoms are the only method that protect against STIs and pregnancy.
Condoms: ~87% Effective
We may be biased, but this is one of our favorite methods. Condoms are easy to get, don’t require advanced planning, and are the only method that protects against STIs. Condoms act as a barrier to catch all of the semen, which prevents sperm from entering the vagina. There are internal (vaginal) and external (penis) condoms. External condoms are the kind you’re likely picturing, and the type we offer at Champ. Internal condoms are a bit bigger and go inside the vagina rather than around the penis. They both work the same way, so it’s up to personal preference on which you and your partner prefer. Condoms can be used on sex toys, for anal, oral, manual and vaginal sex. They prevent pregnancy and also prevent STI's, so we always think condoms pair well with other birth control methods. Just remember that user error does impact how effective condoms are.
Pro Tip: Condoms expire! Check the expiration date on the condom wrapper prior to using it.
Diaphragm: ~83% Effective
In order for a diaphragm to get the full 83% effectiveness, it should be used in conjunction with Spermicide. It’s a bit of a combination between a period cup and the ring. It’s shallow like a ring but solid like a period cup. It’s placed in the vagina to prevent sperm from getting to the cervix. Because there isn’t a skin and full fluid barrier, it doesn’t protect against STI's like a condom. When using it in conjunction with Spermicide, it helps ensure that any sperm that might sneak through are slowed down after entering the cervix.
Spermicide: ~79% Effective
Sperm lives for about 5 days in the female reproductive system before dying. Spermicide helps to slow the sperm down before it has a chance to reach the egg. It’s a chemical gel that you put deep in the vagina prior to having sex. When the sperm are slowed down, they’ll eventually die, and won’t have a chance to fertilize the egg. Spermicide works best in conjunction with other methods, but can be relatively effective on its own and doesn't require a prescription.
Sponges: ~78% Effective
Sponges are a bit of a hybrid between Spermicide and a Diaphragm. It’s a sponge containing Spermicide that gets inserted into the vagina prior to sex. It blocks some of the sperm from going into the cervix and slows down the rest.
Other Methods
There are a handful of other methods that people use other than birth control. They are a bit different from the other categories, so we’ll cover them here.
Vasectomy and Sterilization: ~99% Effective
These are both surgical procedures that are permanent most of the time. Vasectomies can be reversed in a lot of cases, but we recommend consulting with your doctor about which decision is best for you.
Vasectomies are a minor procedure done on the penis. It take about 20 minutes and doesn’t require going under anesthesia. The doctor will make a small poke or cut in the skin of the scrotum to reach the vas deferens (check out our Anatomy 101 article if you need a refresher on the vas deferens). The tubes are then either tied off, cut, cauterized, or blocked. People can usually resume sex a week after surgery with little-to-no discomfort, but you will need to continue using another form of birth control until a post-vasectomy semen analysis is conducted to ensure it was successful.
Sterilization (or tube tying) is more invasive, but just as safe and similar to a vasectomy. Under anesthesia, a doctor will make an incision in the stomach to access the fallopian tubes (another plug to the Anatomy 101 refresher). The tubes will similarly be sealed or removed to prevent sperm from getting to eggs. It’s effective immediately, but can cause discomfort for a few weeks, so doctors often recommend waiting to have sex.
Fertility Awareness Method: ~77%+ Effective
Cycle tracking, fertility awareness, and natural family planning have all been around for a while, but only gained FDA-approval as a birth control method in 2018. It’s a pretty involved process and doesn’t work for everyone. It consists of tracking the menstruation cycle in order to determine when and when not to have sex. Because of this, it only works well when someone has a consistent cycle with no irregularities. It can be done through tracking body temperature, checking cervical mucus, and charting the full cycle on a calendar. It’s most effective when all three methods are used together. It requires a significant amount of consistency to not only track correctly, but also to avoid sex during certain parts of the month. It works best with people who have a consistent cycle, are working with a doctor or nurse, and are willing to learn a lot about the menstrual cycle.
Pulling Out: ~78% Effective
Pulling out is technically a method of preventing pregnancy, but it’s not one of the most effective ways. We do not recommend this method since so many things can go wrong. Typically because pre-cum, premature ejaculation, and just not pulling out on time can all happen pretty easily. And make sure to pull out far before ejaculation happens. When you ejaculate, ensure it’s away from your partner’s vulva because even a bit of semen in or near the vagina can help sperm get in. We recommend keeping condoms on hand as an option if you don’t want to worry about pulling out and want to focus on being in the moment.
Emergency Contraception: ~75 to 99% Effective
Although Emergency Contraception (EC) is a little different in the sense that it’s often used after-sex in emergency situations, it still works just as well as birth control. Whether a condom broke, you didn’t use protection, a pill dose was missed, or any other reason, EC can help provide an extra level of protection.
People often refer to EC pills as “the morning after pill” or “Plan B” (which is just a brand name of EC pills). They all refer to a pill that contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic form of the progestin hormone used in the birth control we talked about above. These are not the same as an abortion pill. They are still considered a contraceptive and are not terminating a pregnancy. The pill can be taken up to 5 days after sex, but should be taken within 3 days to get the most effectiveness. They’re pretty easy to access and are often available OTC at pharmacies for anywhere from $15-50. You can also get them (sometimes for free or low cost) at your local Planned Parenthood. If you want to have some on hand there are companies that will ship them and you may even have health insurance coverage of emergency contraceptives depending on your plan.
There are a few restrictions when it comes to taking EC pills. If you weigh over 165 pounds or take certain medications, it may not be as effective. So talk to a physician if you have any concerns about drug interactions. Side effects can be similar to hormonal birth control including cramping, bleeding, fatigue, nausea, and headaches. Overall, it’s incredibly safe and there are no long-term side effects. But, we do recommend consulting a doctor if you have any questions.
Hopefully you feel a little more knowledgeable around birth control and more equipped to engage in these conversations with your current or future partners. No matter what method works best for you, Champ is always here as a primary or backup option in avoiding pregnancy scares. Especially with our Ultra-Thin Condoms, you can get the protection you need with a barely there feel. That way you’re focusing on pleasure instead of a potential pregnancy. As always, consult your doctor with any questions you have, to go over the pros and cons of each option, and find the best fit for your sex life.