3 Unique Products That Revolutionized Birth Control for Newlywed Women

As the church bells rang, you exchanged vows and said your “I do’s.” Now, you are ready to enter an exciting new life. As newlyweds, there’s no denying that you’ll spend most of your time in each other’s arms or in bed.

While unprotected sex seems like an adventure, it can still lead to unplanned pregnancies. If that happens, your plans to travel the world together, have date nights, etc., will get altered. 

That’s why newlywed women should use contraceptive devices or products. According to the U.S. Pharmacist, 99% of women use contraception in the country. 

Initially, contraception for women only included birth control pills and latex condoms. However, advances in technology and medicine have given rise to multiple devices and products. These helped with proper family planning, improved the woman’s overall health, and reduced maternal mortality. 

In this blog, we will discuss three such products that revolutionized life for newlywed women.  

#1. Intrauterine Device (IUD) 

The Cleveland Clinic states that an IUD is a very effective and long-lasting reversible birth control device. IUDs can be a one-time investment for newlyweds, costing up to USD 1,300. 

In general, any woman can use this device after consulting with their doctor. However, IUD usage is 60% higher in women between the ages of 25 and 34 than in women in their late teens and early twenties. 

To ensure its effectiveness, a doctor will insert the T-shaped IUD into your uterus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. IUDs can prevent pregnancy for three to ten years, depending on their quality and type. 

The Different Types

You can either use a copper or hormonal IUD, depending on your personal preference. The former is a non-hormonal device, while the latter contains a synthetic progestin hormone. Let’s take a look at the most popular brands for both IUDs. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, Mirena is a famous brand that manufactures hormonal IUDs to provide long-term contraception. These devices contain the progestin hormone at the top part of the T-shaped plastic. 

When inserted, the hormone gets released regularly. As a result, a thick mucus layer starts covering the cervix, which stops sperm from moving and fertilizing the egg. Side effects include acne, headaches, mood changes, breast tenderness, etc.

Similarly, Paragard’s copper IUDs, manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, are widely used. The device uses a thin coiling method with a copper wire that goes around the T-shaped stem, making it convenient. 

However, many women have been injured upon removing the Paragard IUD. The device is known to become fractured and migrate inside the body. When these shards entered organs, they caused internal bleeding and infection. Due to these injuries, women filed Paragard IUD lawsuit cases to claim damages for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. 

Women who develop organ trauma, internal bleeding, pregnancy issues, or inflammation after removing the IUD can seek compensation. According to TorHoerman Law, the individual settlement amount can range between USD 10,000 and USD 400,000. 

#2. Hormonal Vaginal Rings

This type of contraceptive device is a small, soft, and flexible plastic ring. When inserted, it releases human-made estrogen and progestin hormones. It stops the release of eggs and prevents sperm from reaching the egg by altering the cervical mucus.  

According to Planned Parenthood, hormonal vaginal rings are 99% effective if you use them correctly. Ideally, it’s perfect for newlywed women because you only wear it for three weeks and remove it for one. That means the device won’t affect your period. 

The Different Brands

Brands like EluRyng and NuvaRing are ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel vaginal rings. Both are fairly similar but have slight differences. These include the type of hormone and the amount or duration of the release. 

Both the devices are for one-time use, and each ring has hormones that last 35 days. As a newlywed woman, you can use this product to delay your period week if you’ve planned a vacation or any other event. 

Similarly, Annovera is an ethinyl estradiol and segesterone acetate vaginal ring. Unlike EluRyng and NuvaRing, this brand’s product is reusable if you wash it with mild soap and room-temperature water. After patting it dry, you can store it in an airtight and sterilized container.  

Ideally, it contains enough hormones to last you for a year. However, with such benefits come common side effects like nausea, changes in menstruation, etc. 

#3. Contraceptive Gel

Recently, a new type of non-hormonal birth control method has become famous. It first began as post-doctoral research at the University of South Australia. The researchers wanted to create something noninvasive that could eventually replace other birth control methods. 

Today, contraceptive gels can be a holy grail because of their convenience and safety, especially for newlywed women. It uses a vaginal pH regulator that prevents the sperm from moving and protects your eggs from getting fertilized.

The Brand You Should Choose

The only brand that comes to mind when discussing prescription contraceptive gel is Phexxi. It does not use any drugs or hormones that could have been detrimental to your health. 

Instead, it works by maintaining a low vaginal pH level. When that happens, the sperm cannot survive or move toward the egg. That means you need not worry about hormonal imbalances when using this product.

To make it effective, you should use the gel at least one hour before having sex. On average, it has a 93% success rate if you use it correctly. For that, you should consult a doctor or read the instructions properly before using it. 

Even then, Phexxi does have some manageable side effects. These include vaginal burning, allergic reactions, yeast infections, etc. 

Pro Tip: Never use Phexxi with vaginal rings. Instead, you can use it with female condoms or diaphragms, if necessary. 

The Bottom Line

Hormonal methods of birth control have always been linked to health problems. For instance, oral contraceptives can cause women to develop depression, headaches, and insomnia. In some cases, it can also lead to problems during pregnancy. 

These issues compelled the medical industry to manufacture devices and products that have less effect on a woman’s hormones. As mentioned in the blog, the best examples of non-hormonal birth control would be copper IUDs and contraceptive gels. 

As a newlywed woman, you must choose a birth control method that is comfortable and effective. Only then can it help you take control of your life and eventually venture into planned parenthood.