3 Types of Female Birth Control That are Nearly 100% Effective

Birth control has come a long way. Today, women have a variety of highly effective options, from hormone-based solutions to implantable copper devices. Long story short, if you don’t want to have a baby right now, you have multiple different female birth control choices you can explore. 

In fact, birth control has become so effective and so readily available that nearly two in three American women ages 15-49 are currently using it. 

The question, though, is which option is best for you? Here at Rise and Thrive Healthcare in Joliet, Illinois, Jessica Gutierez, FNP-BC, and our team can help you find out. As medication specialists, we’re familiar with the options on the market today and the pros and cons of each.

To give you the best family planning control, let’s look at three options that are 99% effective.

The birth control pill

One of the most common types of birth control, this option uses a daily dose of specific hormones to prevent you from getting pregnant. 

While the pill is 99% effective when taken correctly, plenty of people miss a pill here and there. Because this option requires you to take your pill at the same time every day, it’s not always right for someone with a busy schedule. In fact, on average, this birth control is closer to 91% effective. 

If you do choose the pill, you need to be ultra diligent about staying on top of your daily dosage if you want the 99% effectiveness rate.

An intrauterine device (IUD)

More and more women choose IUDs because they’re 99% effective and, unlike the pill, they don’t require you to do anything on a regular basis to make them work. 

Several IUDs exist on the market today. Most of these small devices use hormones, although there is a hormone-free copper option (ParaGard). When Jessica places your IUD in your uterus, it’s a quick, albeit somewhat uncomfortable process. If you’ve ever had a Pap smear, it’s similar. Plus, it takes just minutes and gives you years of birth control.

Depending on the type of IUD you choose, it can last from three to 10 years. If you have an IUD and want to have a baby, you just need to have the IUD removed first. 

A birth control implant

If you’re not overly excited about getting something placed in your uterus, you can explore an alternative type of birth control implant. This one goes in your arm and gives you three years of birth control. It’s removable and replaceable every three years and helps with ongoing pregnancy prevention. 

Like an IUD, this option doesn’t require any maintenance to deliver a 99% effectiveness rate. 

With so many options available today, it’s easier than ever before to find a birth control that works for your body and your lifestyle. To get started, call our office or book your appointment online today.