Is There Such A Thing As Natural Birth Control? + 4 Natural Birth Control Options
A New Year is upon us and with a new year comes lots of changes. We change our eating habits, we hop on that treadmill, and we may even cut a few toxic people out of our lives. Needless to say, our birth control is not exempt from these changes. Some of you may be looking for something that’s “more natural” but may not be sure if a natural form of birth control even exists (beyond our good friend Mr. Pull Out 😜 ). Well, today I’ve come through to answer your natural birth control questions & give you more options besides the pill or IUD.
Let’s Jump Right In
Okay, girl let’s start on the same page by defining what I mean when I say “Natural Birth Control”. For the purpose of today’s discussion, natural birth control is defined as non-hormonal birth control. Though hormones exist naturally in our body and are made by several glands in our body, the hormones present in popular birth control options like the pill, Depo shot & implants (Mirena, Nexplanon/Implanon) are synthetic and mimic the actions of natural hormones like estrogen and progesterone. So, all 4 of the options discussed today will be non-hormonal birth control.
So, the answer is…YES! Natural birth control does exist. Here are your options:
Option #1: The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)
This birth control method is by far my favorite and if you've followed me on social media, and on my personal blog Tulips & Merlot, then you know that I have credited the FAM with helping me get to know my body & truly understand my cycle. FAM aka the Rhythm Method involves you tracking your cycle and determining the 6 days when you are most fertile. During these 6 days, you can either use protection or abstain from sex. I can say from personal experience that abstaining during these days is quite difficult and you'll find yourself ready to risk it all for the D. Just sayin'!
You can track your cycle with the help of several apps. I have used Kindara, Fertility Friend, & Ovia. Hands down Ovia is my favorite app of the 3. It's very intuitive & easy to use. All you have to do is plug in your information about your last menstrual cycle, how long it lasts & boom...the algorithm will calculate your fertile days and will rate your level of fertility from 1.0 to 10.0 (1 being the lowest 10 being the most fertile). You can even track your temperatures to increase the accuracy of the app but I have found that temping is not necessary when using FAM to prevent pregnancy.
Pros:
99% effective when used properly
FREE (minus the cost of a thermometer if tracking your temperature)
easy to track when using an app
no hormones
great for couples who don't want to use condoms but also want to avoid pregnancy
helps you get in-tune with your body and learn what's normal for YOU
Cons:
requires diligence, consistency & active participation (logging symptoms & changes)
does NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases
MUST use a form of barrier protection to avoid pregnancy during the fertile week
Option 2: The Copper IUD aka Paragard
For those who do not know, there are two kinds of IUDs (intrauterine devices): a hormonal IUD (Mirena) and a non-hormonal IUD (Paragard). While Mirena obviously uses hormones to prevent pregnancy, Paragard uses copper to create an inflammatory response within the uterus. The inflammation makes the uterus toxic to sperm, thus preventing them from reaching the egg & fertilizing it. This is an option for those of you who know that you won't be able to keep up with FAM and want something that you don't have to think about.
Pros:
No hormones
lasts for 10 years
doesn't require daily data entry
Cons:
does NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases
requires a doctor for insertion & removal
may cost money (depending on insurance)
may increase your risk of ectopic pregnancy or complications associated with IUDs
Option #3: The Pull-Out Method
Now, before you roll your eyes at me and start scrolling, I just want to acknowledge the fact that the pull-out method IS a natural form of birth control. It doesn't involve synthetic hormones. However, it is only as effective as your man. So...if you know your man's pull out game is weak don't even bother, girl. This is not an option for you so just keep scrolling. BUT if you have confidence in your man AND a positive pregnancy test WOULDN'T be the end of your world then have at it!
If you aren't familiar with the pull-out or withdrawal method, it involves the man withdrawing his penis (or pulling out) before ejaculation. Unfortunately, most men aren't the best at calculating the right time to pull-out which leads to ejaculation inside the vagina and an increased chance of pregnancy (depending on the time of the month). All I have to say is use caution, sis.
Pros:
no hormones
FREE (unless you get pregnant)
the responsibility lies with the man
Cons:
the responsibility lies with the man
does NOT protect against STDs
Option #4: Barrier Birth Control (Diaphragm, Sponge, Cervical Cap, Condoms, etc.)
Barrier birth control involves the use of an object and/or liquid to prevent the entry of sperm into the uterus. Diaphragms, sponges, & cervical caps are inserted into the vagina and physically block the sperm from entering the uterus. Condoms are placed on the penis before sex, preventing the release of sperm into the vagina. The addition of spermicide to these forms of barrier birth control further prevents pregnancy by killing the sperm. It is important to note that the male condom is the ONLY form of birth control mentioned today that will prevent STDs!
Pros:
only used at the time of intercourse
does not affect future fertility for both the man and the woman
can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy
condoms prevent STDs
Cons:
higher failure rate
may impede spontaneity
requires preparation before sex
All in all, there are many options to choose from when looking for a natural or hormone-free form of birth control. Take your time when choosing a form of birth control and make sure that it fits your preferences & lifestyle. If you've used any of the methods we've talked about today, leave a comment below & share your story.
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Xo,
Sarah