The advent of the birth control pill revolutionized reproductive health for millions of people when it was first approved by the FDA in 1960 – that’s right, more than 60 years ago! At the time, it was the first widely available form of birth control in daily pill form to prevent pregnancy. When used correctly, experts estimate that the birth control pill is up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used consistently and correctly.
Today, the birth control pill remains as popular as ever. A study released by the CDC in 2018 found that of the more than 72 million American women aged 15-49 who reported using at least one form of contraception, about 12.6% of women were taking birth control in pill form. Wow!
While "the pill" is one of the more widely known contraceptive options, other methods of birth control have existed throughout history. In this blog, we will discuss the different types of birth control, reasons people may take each one, and if you should use condoms while taking birth control.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR) Birth Control and Condom Usage
- Birth control/contraception can be used for a number of reasons, however its original purpose is to prevent pregnancy.
- Contraceptives come in many different forms including hormonal methods, cervical barriers, and lifestyle methods. It is important to pick an option that suits your personal needs.
- When taking birth control, a common question people ask is: Do I still need to use a condom?
- Using a condom while on birth control can be a great choice to prevent STIs, provide as back up if the other methods you are using for pregnancy prevention fail, or during the initial start of birth control when it hasn't fully kicked in (depending on the method).
What is Birth Control?
Birth control or contraception refers to methods used to prevent pregnancy, this often includes medications (like "the pill"), devices (like IUDs or implants), surgery, or other techniques. While the main purpose of a lot of these methods is to prevent pregnancy, there are many reasons one might use birth control like menstrual cycle regulation or period pain relief.
What are the Different Types of Birth Control?
Let's take a look at some of the common forms of birth control.
Hormonal Methods:
Oral Contraception ("The Pill") (99% Effective with Consistent & Correct Use)
The birth control pill commonly referred to as "the pill" falls within the category of hormonal birth control, as it provides a daily dose of hormones that are naturally produced within the body to effectively prevent pregnancy. Technically, there are two different kinds of birth control pills: combination pills and progestin-only pills. Combination pills have both estrogen and progestin hormones, whereas progestin-only pills only have the latter. Aside from that difference, they both function very similarly.
Like a one-two punch, there are two processes that prevent pregnancy with the birth control pill. Firstly, the pill blocks ovulation. What does this mean? During ovulation, an egg is released from the ovary and pushed down through the fallopian tubes. The hormones in the birth control pill disrupt this process, so an egg is never released.
Which brings us to the second process: blocking fertilization. The pill prompts the body to thicken the mucus of the cervix blocking sperm from “swimming” through to fertilize the egg. Basically, the cervix beefs up security and denies millions of sperm entry.
Important Note: Though the hormonal makeup of the pill and emergency contraception are similar in nature, they are not prescribed or recommended to be used in the same way. Emergency contraception also blocks ovulation when used up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but is not prescribed for daily use like the birth control pill.
Birth Control Implant (99% Effective), Shot (99%), and Patch (99%)
This category of contraception represents some of the newer contraceptive options on the market, made available to consumers in the last 20 years. These products work in two key ways: 1) by thickening the mucus in the cervix to interfere with sperm swimming through to meet the egg and 2) by stopping the egg from leaving the ovaries (ovulation) to be fertilized.
The birth control implant is a small, thin bar or rod inserted into the upper arm by a doctor (close to the underarm) that continually releases the hormone progestin that prevents pregnancy. These products can be inserted for a number of years to reliably prevent pregnancy over a longer time.
The birth control shot is an injection administered every three months, also containing the hormone progestin, but with the same results: effective protection from pregnancy.
The birth control patch is a small patch worn on the belly, back, butt, or upper arm, with progestin entering the body through the skin. The patch will need to be changed on a semi-regular basis and this should be strictly adhered to. This product contains both estrogen and progestin, similar to hormones your own body naturally creates.
These all sound great, right? The one kryptonite of birth control implants, shots and patches is that they unfortunately do not prevent the transmission of STIs, as they do not protect partners from direct contact with skin or bodily fluids. Experts say: pair a condom for enhanced protection.
Intrauterine Devices or IUDs (99% Effective) and Vaginal Ring (99%)
There are a wide variety of different brands and types of IUDs, but for the sake of simplicity, we will discuss them here as one category. One feature that they all share is that IUDs are a t-shaped object (about the size of a small paper clip) inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional to prevent pregnancy. Beyond that is where the differences begin to emerge.
There are both copper and hormonal IUDs: copper IUDs ward off hopeful sperm because sperm avoids copper, and hormonal IUDs function similarly to the birth control implant (thickening the mucus of the cervix and sometimes blocking ovulation). These are also longer term contraceptive options, and can even work as emergency contraception within 5 days of unprotected intercourse.
Vaginal rings also block ovulation and thicken the mucus of the cervix using hormones built into the ring itself. Once inserted, these rings can last up to 5 weeks, providing protection from unwanted pregnancy.
All great features, but these devices cannot prevent the transmission of STIs, as partners are still likely exposed to direct skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids, which is how most STIs are transmitted. IUDs <3 Condoms, too!
Cervical Barriers
Diaphragm (84% Effective) and Cervical Cap (71-86%)
When we think of barrier methods, we often think of different types of condoms, but in their own way diaphragms and cervical caps also serve as barriers. Both of these products are inserted into the vagina to block the cervix, and therefore any sperm looking to implant into the egg. Both made of silicone, the main difference between these two contraceptive options is that diaphragms are shaped more like saucers and cervical caps are shaped almost like a sailor’s cap.
Diaphragms and cervical caps are non-hormonal options for birth control, but unfortunately, neither provides protection from STIs, as both still allow for direct skin-to-skin-contact and the transmission of bodily fluids from one partner. This risk can easily be avoided with the use of a condom.
Lifestyle Methods
Fertility Awareness or Natural Family Planning (76-85%)
This category of methods may seem a little mysterious, but it’s actually quite simple once you determine the best system for you and your body. Essentially, this boils down to tracking your ovulation so you can prevent pregnancy based on your body and its natural cycles.
The most popular methods of tracking include: charting your menstrual cycle on a calendar (the calendar or standard days method), taking a daily temperature every morning (the temperature method) and checking your “cervical mucus” or vaginal discharge daily (the cervical mucus method). For best results, experts encourage all three methods.
This method of contraception can be easily supplemented by the use of condoms to ensure protection from any STIs and pregnancy protection on the days where you are most fertile.
Other Perks of Birth Control
Because of the way hormonal birth control works with the body’s naturally produced hormones and reproductive cycles, it can also be prescribed for the treatment of other medical conditions in addition to pregnancy prevention.
If you are experiencing any of the below conditions, it may be worth discussing with your doctor whether birth control is a worthwhile option for you and which type of contraception is best for alleviating your symptoms:
- Regulating menstrual cycle
- Alleviating cramps, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and anemia
- Helping with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- Lowering risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers
- Clearing up complexion and avoiding unwanted hair growth
Important Notes on Safety with Birth Control
Though this method of contraception provides peace of mind for millions of people around the country (whether for pregnancy prevention or other health conditions), it is important to discuss a few important safety concerns to keep in mind.
Side Effects 
Firstly, with hormonal birth control, there can be a number of side effects, some of which can be serious and/or unpleasant. Each body will react differently to medication, but here are a number of the most common side effects of the birth control pill:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Sore breasts
- Changes in your periods
- Spotting (bleeding between periods or brown discharge)
While these side effects should start to subside after a few months, if you continue to experience any of the above, it is important to discuss with a health care professional – there are many contraceptive options on the market and they may recommend a different approach that is more comfortable for you and your body!
Prevention of STIs
Birth control is incredibly effective at preventing pregnancy, however many forms of it cannot prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections). Most STIs are transmitted through direct contact with skin or bodily fluids, neither of which many birth control methods alone can prevent.
The good news is that you can achieve pregnancy prevention and avoid the transmission of STIs through sex by pairing birth control pills and condoms. That’s right, condoms are up to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy and can protect against HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and other STIs. Condoms provide a latex barrier to prevent direct skin-to-skin contact, as well as contact with bodily fluids.
Tips and Tricks for Combining Birth Control and Condoms
Birth control and condoms are a dream team for preventing pregnancy and the transmission of STIs. We have compiled some helpful tips and tricks for combining the effectiveness of both of these contraceptive/safer sex methods into an easy to follow list below:
- If you have been prescribed birth control pills, make sure to follow your daily dosage closely (your doctor will explain how and when each dose should be taken)
- Before using a latex condom, make sure to check the wrapper for the expiration date
- Avoid using teeth or any sharp objects to open condoms, this can damage them!
- Make sure you are putting the condom on correctly (think: hat, not shower cap).
- Add a drop of lube in the reservoir tip of the condom for a smooth sexual experience.
- Pinch the tip and roll down the full length of the penis.
- Add additional lube to keep things suave and silky – make sure to use a silicone or water based lubricant and not oil based lubricants (e.g. lotions, creams), as the latter can cause damage to latex and create greater risk of STI transmission.
- If a condom breaks or is damaged, carefully withdraw, roll it back up the shaft of the penis and discard in a trash can (not the toilet or a sink!).
- After a satisfactory sexual experience (hopefully), make sure to carefully dispose of the condom (and its contents) by tying a knot at the base and throwing it away.
- A simple rinse in the shower with soap and water or unscented wipe will do the trick for clean up, no heavy duty douches or fragrant products needed.
- If the condom does not fit correctly (slippage, erection loss due to the condom being too tight, or bunching and squeezing), consider MyONE® Condoms and its 52 different sizes.
For more detailed tips and tricks, check out our post here. You can also browse our selection of sexual health products, including premium condoms and lube here!
Conclusion
In short, yes, condoms and birth control can be used in tandem! While birth control can help to prevent pregnancy, condoms can be used as a safer sex method to help prevent STIs. Practicing safer sex in this way can boost confidence in the bedroom by enabling partners to feel more at ease knowing they are making an effort to protect themselves.
FAQs
Can you have sex without a condom on birth control?
Yes, you can have sex without a condom while taking birth control, however this may not always be your best option. Condoms help to prevent the transmission of STIs which many methods of birth control do not. Additionally, condoms can also be used as a contraceptive, so in the case that one method fails, using both is a great way to find additional comfort if you are worried about pregnancy.
How long does it take for birth control to work?
It depends on the type of birth control that you are using to prevent pregnancy. Some contraceptive methods are effective immediately while others take over 7 days. Back up methods can be used during (and after) this time, like condoms!
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