Are you ready to take control of your body? You could not worry about getting pregnant for a while, have a lighter period, and fewer menstrual symptoms. The only thing you need to do is pick one of the different types of birth control. Here are some options.

• Vaginal Ring

This is a plastic ring placed in your vagina monthly. It contains hormones that prevent your body from ovulating and creates thick cervical mucus that prevents sperm from swimming up the cervix. It is 91 % effective, decreases menstrual symptoms, and makes lighter periods. You can remove it whenever if you decide to try to get pregnant. It also decreases the likelihood of ovarian and endometrial cancers. However, it does not protect you against STDs.

• Birth Control Pills

These are pills that use hormones to prevent you from ovulating and increase cervical mucus to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. It is temporary so you can stop taking it whenever you decide to have a baby. It is 91% effective. Also, it causes lighter, less painful, and more regular periods. But, it does not protect against STDs.

• Birth Control Shot

This is a shot that uses hormones to prevent pregnancy by stopping you from ovulating and letting the sperm fertilize the egg. You should get it every 3 months, and it 94 % effective. But, it may take up to 6 months after the stop of using it to get your regular period back. So, it may take a while before you can get pregnant again.  It can also cause weight gain, acne, irregular bleeding, headaches, lower bone density, and mood swings. It also does not protect you from STDs.

• Copper IUD

It is a T – shaped plastic wrapped in copper inserted in the uterus. It prevents the egg from meeting the egg without using hormones, lasts up to 10-12 years, and is 99 % effective. Once you decide to get pregnant, you can simply have it removed and you may get pregnant quickly afterward. It may cause some heavy periods at first and will not protect you from STDs.

• Hormonal IUD

It is a T-shaped hormonal plastic placed in the uterus. It releases hormones to prevent fertilization, lasts from 3–7 years, and is 99 % effective. However, it may cause some bleeding between periods for up to six months and will not protect you from STDs. You can try to get pregnant right away after removing it.

• Arm Implant

It is a small rod placed under the skin of your upper arm. It releases hormones to prevent you from releasing eggs. Also, it lasts from 3–5 years and is 99 % effective. You are not protected from STDs, and it may cause irregular bleeding for up to 12 months. You may try to get pregnant right after removal. Your arm will be numbed before placing the rod.

I hope you may now be able to choose one of the different types of birth control. If you have questions, leave a comment.