Hormone-Free Birth Control Options

Some of the most popular forms of contraception — including the birth-control implant, patch, shot, vaginal ring, pill, mini-pill, and progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) — use female reproductive hormones to stop ovulation and prevent pregnancy.

But what if you can’t take hormonal medications or you simply don’t want to? 

Our team at Panhandle Obstetrics and Gynecology in Amarillo, Texas, has you covered. Here, our contraception and family planning experts take a closer look at the various nonhormonal birth control methods that can help you prevent an unplanned pregnancy. 

Copper intrauterine device

A copper-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped device that’s placed in your cervix by your doctor. As a form of long-acting, reversible contraception (LARC), a copper IUD works for up to 12 years before it needs to be replaced, and your gynecologist can remove it as desired (i.e., when you’re ready to start a family or you’re no longer sexually active). 

A copper IUD works to prevent pregnancy in two ways: It physically blocks sperm from entering your uterus, and it emits copper ions that strongly repel sperm. 

This set-it-and-forget-it birth control is 99% effective, requiring no additional action on your part when you have sex. It’s the only nonhormonal birth control in the long-acting category; all others are single-use, in-the-moment contraception methods. 

Single-use barrier contraceptives

Barrier contraceptives prevent pregnancy by keeping sperm out of your uterus (either by blocking it, killing it, or both). Designed for one-time use, these are the only forms of birth control that also help protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 

All barrier contraceptives are nonhormonal. Options include:

• Male (external) condoms (87% effective)
• Female (internal) condoms (79% effective)
• Silicone diaphragm (83% effective) 
• Cervical cap (71-86% effective)
• Vaginal sponge (78-86% effective)
• Spermicide and gel (79-86% effective)

While condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and sponges work well on their own, combining any barrier method with spermicide or contraceptive gel makes it more effective. 

Diaphragms and cervical caps are only available by prescription from your gynecologist following a pelvic exam to ensure proper fit; both can be washed and reused. 

All other barrier birth-control methods are available without a prescription at most pharmacies; condoms and sponges should be discarded after use. 

Fertility awareness methods

Also known as natural family planning or the rhythm method, fertility awareness methods (FAMs) include a variety of techniques for tracking your menstrual cycle and fertile days to help prevent pregnancy. 

With the FAM approach, you figure out when you’re ovulating, using the calendar method, body temperature method, cervical mucus method, or a combination of all three. You may opt to avoid intercourse completely when you’re ovulating or use a barrier method, like condoms and spermicide, if you want to have sexual intercourse during this fertile time.

Because FAM relies on individual information and intuition, it’s more vulnerable to human error. Accordingly, FAMs are 77-98% effective, depending on how well they’re applied. 

Sexual outercourse and abstinence 

Two lifestyle contraception methods — sexual outercourse and abstinence — are 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. These nonhormonal methods include not having sex at all (abstinence), or only engaging in sexual activities that don’t include penetrative vaginal sex with a penis (outercourse). 

By comparison, another lifestyle contraceptive method called withdrawal (pulling out) is only 78% effective because it requires your partner to completely withdraw before ejaculation, and perfect timing isn’t always easy. Pregnancy can occur even when just a little bit of semen enters your vagina. 

Permanent birth control

Permanent contraception (sterilization) prevents pregnancy indefinitely through surgical sterilization, which is 99% effective for life. It’s a good option if you’re in a long-term partnership and you’re done having children or are certain you don’t want to have any. 

For women, this involves a tubal ligation — blocking, cutting, or tying off your fallopian tubes so eggs can’t enter your uterus for fertilization. For men, this means having a vasectomy to cut or block the scrotum’s vas deferens tubes, so sperm can no longer enter semen and leave the body during ejaculation. 

Expert contraception guidance 

Looking for more detailed information and expert guidance on contraception? We’re here to help you find the method that best suits your needs. Call 806-359-5468 to schedule a visit at Panhandle Obstetrics and Gynecology today.