So let's talk about the big BC.
You have alarms on your phone reminding you to take it at a certain time everyday, you try to finesse the system to skip your period over beach weeks and special occasions, and we ALL know there are days you just forget to take that damn little colorful pill.
The pill is typically the first, and maybe only, type of birth control that most of us are knowledgable on thanks to Health 101 in our high school classes. The pill was first approved for contraceptive use in 1960, and after five years and FDA approval, 6.5 million women were on the pill. However, we are all different and birth control affects all in different ways.
Whether the pill is the method best for you, it is better to be informed on all forms.
Here is my history with birth control:
It all started on a Saturday morning when little sixth grade Miranda woke up at a sleepover, her Kiss My Tiara pajama pants stained red. Growing up in a house with all girls besides my dad, periods weren't that rare of talk. Plus you best believe I read up on my American Girl Doll Puberty book.
(TBH: if your tween body didn't have this I feel bad for you.)
After struggling through pimples, cramps, and irregular periods, I talked to my mom about getting on the pill around 10th grade. My first trip to the GYNO was definitely less traumatic and scary than I had anticipated. I sat on the table, didn't even have to get undressed, and explained why I wanted birth control.
Soon enough, I started my first pack of multicolored blue pills, with a row of green guys on the fourth week. I was on the pill until my freshman year of college. I decided I should look into other birth control options when I realized I totally forgot I was on birth control the first 3 weeks of school and completely failed to take my pills. I was always playing catch up, doubling up on pills, and trying to finish a whole pack in a month.
In order for the pill to work most effectively, you must take it everyday at the same time. The pill can help with ache, cramps, and can make your period shorter, however it does not prevent STDs or STIs.
After very little research, I briefly tried NuvaRing for a month. NuvaRing is a vaginal ring that is inserted and removed once a month by yourself at home. Imagine a glow stick bracelet. Now imagine shoving that glow stick bracelet as far into your vagina as you can. And after a month, you are to go on a search and rescue mission and find said glow stick bracelet and remove it, just to repeat the process.
Vaginal rings are good for those who are extremely bad at remembering to take the pill because it is a once the month insertion and removal and has all the same benefits as the pill. However you have to be 1) comfortable with yourself in order to insert and remove the ring, 2) the ring may be felt during intercourse by your partner depending how far it is inserted in your vagina 3) the ring can fall out during intercourse, 4) the ring can lasso around the penis like you just won a carnival game of ring toss.
After talking to my roommate who had an IUD and doing my own research, I decided to try Skyla. Skyla is an IUD, or intrauterine device. An IUD is a small T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It is considered once of the most effective forms of birth control out there and are long term. Out of the 5 FDA approved IUDs on the market, four are hormonal and can last up to 6 years, while one is wrapped in copper and can last 12. IUDs change the way sperm travel, preventing them from entering and egg.
After having the IUD for about six weeks, my period changed a lot and now I barely even get one, which is normal for some people.
IUDs are controversial and may not fit your lifestyle, but are worry free, long term, and have the same benefits as the pill or vaginal rings. There are other options out there, such as a shot or the patch, but I felt as if the IUD fit my lifestyle best.
Please remember that these forms of birth control do not protect you against STDs and STIs so still use condoms and have a happy period.
