No, there are many contraceptives that don’t contain hormones. Non hormonal contraceptives do not contain synthetic hormones; therefore, they do not interfere with the body’s natural cycles [1]. The copper IUD, condoms, and sterilization are all forms of non hormonal contraception. You can find out more about non hormonal options of birth control here: findmymethod.org/find-my-method .
\n","fmmCore":{"frontendSlug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/are-all-contraceptives-hormonal"}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo0Mzg1","title":"What is Responsible Sexual Behavior?","content":"Responsible sexual behavior is about making healthy choices based on reliable information. Sexual responsibility is a broad term that includes certain behaviors, such as respect for you partner, honest communication about your sexual activities, and taking measures to protect yourself and your partner from diseases (e.g. sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV) and pregnancy.
\n","fmmCore":{"frontendSlug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/what-is-responsible-sexual-behavior"}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo0Mzgz","title":"What is Unprotected Sex?","content":"Unprotected sex is a term that refers to any sex that doesn’t include contraception, even if it’s by mistake; for example, when a condom breaks or slips. It is stressful and high risk to engage in unprotected sex because it means that you could get pregnant and expose yourself to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as HIV.
\n","fmmCore":{"frontendSlug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/what-is-unprotected-sex"}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo0Mzgx","title":"What is Birth Control?","content":"Birth control is the utilization of a method or device that prevents pregnancy in a woman who is sexually active. Birth control is also sometimes called contraception, family planning, fertility control, or pregnancy prevention. The purpose of birth control is to stop the egg from being fertilized and/or implanted in the uterine lining. Birth control doesn’t include protection from sexually transmitted infections/diseases.
\n","fmmCore":{"frontendSlug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/what-is-birth-control"}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo0Mzc5","title":"What Are Contraceptives?","content":"A contraceptive is a system or mechanism that helps prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in women who are sexually active.
\n","fmmCore":{"frontendSlug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/what-are-contraceptives"}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo0Mzc3","title":"What Are Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases?","content":"Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases (STDs) are those diseases/infections mostly spread through sexual contact; they can be passed on via vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Sometimes, STIs and STDs are transmitted through blood or via the mother during pregnancy or birth. Diseases such as syphilis, HIV, gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, hepatitis B, and chlamydia can be transmitted this way [1].Although the terms, STI and STD, sound the same and are often used in the same way, they are actually different. An STI is an infection that hasn’t progressed into a disease yet and includes bacteria and viruses or parasites, for example, pubic lice.
\nAn STD is a disease that is a result of an STI and is more serious. What happens is that STDs begin as infections and when pathogens invade the body and start to multiply, they upset the normal functions of the body and become STDs. Not all STIs become STDs; they sometimes resolve on their own without causing major issues [2].
Different contraceptives use different mechanisms to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and diseases. These mechanisms include: stopping ovulation (when the ovaries release an egg); blocking the sperm from reaching the egg; thickening of the cervical mucus in order to prohibit sperm from entering the uterus; completely blocking the sperm before it enters the vagina, and permanently blocking the channel through which the eggs and sperm meet. Read our blog “How do contraceptives actually work” for more details.
\n","fmmCore":{"frontendSlug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/how-do-contraceptives-work"}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo0Mzcz","title":"Why should I use contraceptives?","content":"Contraceptive use benefits each person, the broader community, and society in general [1].
\nContraceptives give you options; you can decide when you want to have children, how many children you want to have, as well as whether you want to have children at all.
\nContraceptives have also led to fewer risks. For example, they allow younger women to wait until they are older and their bodies are better able to support a pregnancy; similarly, they allow older women to prevent pregnancy when their bodies can no longer comfortably tolerate pregnancy and childbirth.
\nContraceptives prevent teen pregnancies, which can negatively affect their relationships and careers. Teen pregnancies can also adversely affect the health of a newborn baby as babies born to teen mothers tend to be underweight and more at risk of neonatal mortality (when the baby dies within 28 days).
\nContraceptives contribute to healthier babies overall because when pregnancies are too close together it results in a higher infant mortality rate (number of infant deaths under age of one). This is because parents may struggle to provide the best care for their newborns when their babies are too close together.
\nContraceptives positively impact the economy, the environment, the education system, and health services because they help slow down population growth.
As soon as you are sexually active, you should use contraceptives. How often you use them depends on the type of contraceptive that you choose. For example, the oral contraceptive pill needs to be taken daily; the injection or implant is used intermittently, the IUD is inserted once every few years, a condom is used before sex, and the emergency contraceptive pill is used after sex.
\n","fmmCore":{"frontendSlug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/when-should-i-use-contraceptives"}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo0MzY5","title":"What are the different types of contraceptives?","content":"There are several contraceptives available:
\nPermanent, long-lasting, and temporary;
\nEveryday, intermittent, and before- or after-sex;
\nHormonal and nonhormonal; and
\nDiscreet and noticeable contraceptives.
The hormones used in contraceptives are merely a synthetic (made in a lab) version of those same hormones our bodies naturally produce. This introduction of hormones redirects the regular functions of the body, which prevents pregnancy from occurring. Besides protecting against pregnancy, the hormones can have certain side effects – both good and bad. Everyone reacts differently, and these side effects can differ, depending on the individual as well as the contraceptive method.
\n","fmmCore":{"frontendSlug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/are-hormones-in-contraceptives-dangerous"}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo0MzYz","title":"What are the side effects of using contraceptives?","content":"Side effects can vary greatly and they can be both favorable and unfavorable. It depends on how each person reacts to medication and also on the type of contraceptive that is used.
\nThere are a wide variety of contraceptives available. To learn about the side effects for each of the methods, visit https://findmymethod.org/birth-control-options/, select the contraceptive you are interested in and check the “side effects” section.
For certain people, hormonal birth control does cause slight weight gain. Others may experience changes in the overall composition of their body, i.e. the allocation of fat, as well as bloating, which may result in a perception of weight gain.
\nNevertheless, there is no evidence that confirms that hormonal contraceptives do cause weight gain. If they do cause any fluctuations in weight, the change will likely be small. It’s also difficult to measure because as people age they tend to gain weight regardless. In general, people’s weight increases when they move from being a young adult to a middle-aged adult – on average, people put on 0.52kg every year. Plus, our weight fluctuates daily, and there is also seasonal weight gain and loss.
It is a common concern that hormonal contraception lowers sex drive (libido) by decreasing testosterone and tricking the body into thinking it’s pregnant; however, sexual pleasure is layered and complicated and can be affected by several factors, which are difficult to determine. Our physiological make up, psychological outlook, and societal and cultural beliefs all impact libido. Furthermore, there is not yet an in-depth understanding of female sexual anatomy or orgasm.
\nThis article provides a comprehensive outline of what the research shows about how contraceptives affect sex drive: helloclue.com/articles/sex/birth-control-and-sex-drive
Hormonal contraceptives use either progestin or estrogen, or both, to stop a pregnancy from occurring, and these hormones are also important in the menstrual cycle. It makes sense then that hormonal contraceptives will affect your periods.
\nDepending on the type of contraceptive that you use, it can cause lighter or heavier bleeding and can also influence the length of your period. Also, bleeding patterns tend to change as time goes on.
In a regular menstrual cycle (of 28 days) hormones dip and peak. The hormone, estrogen, is highest mid-way through the cycle (at 14 days). At this point, most people feel good physically and are emotionally elated. Hormonal contraceptives interfere with this dip and peak and maintain a steady level of hormones for 21 days, and then in the last seven days of the cycle, the hormones, progestin and estrogen, plummet, which can lead to irritability etc. in some people.
\nThere is some research that indicates that women on hormonal birth control have a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, and anger. Similarly, other research shows there is no notable connection between hormonal contraceptives and mood swings.
\nSome studies have discovered that women taking the pill and women receiving placebo (dummy) pills have reported similar fluctuations in mood, indicating that there is no link between the pill and mood. Despite this clear lack of connection between emotional instability and hormonal contraceptives, several people still connect the two because they: Become highly sensitive to changes in hormone levels,
\nGet stressed about preventing pregnancy and using the contraceptives correctly, and
\nBecome more aware of potential symptoms, especially in women who already have mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Ask Myka our chatbot.
\n\n","generic_block_data":{"linkLabel":"Chat with Myka now","linkTo":{"target":"","title":"","url":"https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=12029295301&text=Hi"}}}}]},"OurTeam":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo5NQ==","content":null,"team_data":{"priorityOrder":"1","about":null,"designation":"Associate Director","name":"Claire Crossett","image":{"sourceUrl":"https://fmm-admin.safe2choose.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/claire.svg"}}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo5Nw==","content":null,"team_data":{"priorityOrder":"2","about":"Call me \"Ceci\". I live in Mexico City, I am always starving; and I am a huge Manga and K-Pop fan. I am passionate about sexual and reproductive rights and I invite you to join me in speaking up about sex and sexuality.","designation":"Program Manager","name":"Cecilia Gonzalez H","image":{"sourceUrl":"https://fmm-admin.safe2choose.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ceci_.svg"}}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDo5OQ==","content":null,"team_data":{"priorityOrder":"3","about":"I’m from Yucatán, México; and I studied Habitat Design but after finishing school I dedicated myself to graphic design and Illustration. I am a feminist who lives with her two cats Lili and Nora and two dogs Luna and Nacho. I love to draw, doing ceramics and I am also obsessed with interior design and cat videos. I am really proud of being independent and one of my biggest dreams is to have a book published with my illustrations. ","designation":"Designer","name":"Varenka Bolio","image":{"sourceUrl":"https://fmm-admin.safe2choose.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Varenka_.svg"}}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoxMDQ=","content":null,"team_data":{"priorityOrder":"4","about":"I live in a small town in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I studied Image and Sound Design, Motion Graphics and Animation. I really enjoy making videos of all kinds. What I like most about my job is learning new things all the time; that’s why I enjoy YouTube tutorials. Though I really like working on my computer, in my free time, I also enjoy being outdoors, in contact with nature.","designation":"Animator","name":"Maria Florencia Scasso","image":{"sourceUrl":"https://fmm-admin.safe2choose.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ferya_.svg"}}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoxMDY=","content":null,"team_data":{"priorityOrder":"5","about":null,"designation":"SEO Expert","name":"Swati Saxena","image":{"sourceUrl":"https://fmm-admin.safe2choose.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/claire.svg"}}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoxMDg=","content":null,"team_data":{"priorityOrder":"6","about":null,"designation":"SEO Support","name":"Diana Suarez","image":{"sourceUrl":"https://fmm-admin.safe2choose.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Danae_.svg"}}}},{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoxMTA=","content":null,"team_data":{"priorityOrder":"7","about":null,"designation":"Tech Manager","name":"Nikhil Nevrekar","image":{"sourceUrl":"https://fmm-admin.safe2choose.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/claire.svg"}}}}]},"FooterCopyright":{"edges":[{"node":{"title":"Footer Copyright","content":"
Find My Method. All rights reserved
\n"}}]}},"pageContext":{"id":"cG9zdDo1NTk3","frontend_slug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/","language_code":"en","glob_frontend_slug":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/*","breadcrumb":{"location":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety/","crumbs":[{"pathname":"/","crumbLabel":"Home"},{"pathname":"/frequently-asked-questions","crumbLabel":"frequently-asked-questions"},{"pathname":"/frequently-asked-questions/safety","crumbLabel":"safety"}]}}}, "staticQueryHashes": ["2364228080","2804000090","2898838263","3893395773","482822470","697822104","730321654"]}