Various methods of birth control are discussed in Lessons 9 and 10 in this guide.
The choice of birth control is an individual decision best made with medical guidance. The intent of this overview is to underscore the following facts and in no way replace medical advice.
Birth Control Facts:
- All contraceptives provide control over the timing of pregnancy and avoidance of unintended pregnancy.
- Additionally, latex condoms provide protection from sexually transmitted infections. They have a 2% failure rate in perfect use when used for preventing conception.
- Some types of birth control are temporary and others are permanent. This is true for men and women. Birth control pills, hormonal contraceptives (may) provide non-contraceptive health benefits such as reducing acne or easing menstrual pain.
- Birth control methods vary in their degree of effectiveness and may have side effects. Further, they require different levels of responsibility to be used effectively. They each have pros and cons.
- Emergency contraceptives are available in most states and in some without a prescription. Emergency contraceptives are routinely offered following heterosexual rape. Emergency contraceptives are an after-the-fact emergency measure and should not be relied upon as a type of contraceptive.
The contraceptive choices available to a person with an intellectual disability may be limited for a number of reasons, including:
- Certain medications can interfere with oral contraception, the contraceptive vaginal ring, the contraceptive implant or emergency contraception (EC, also known as 'the morning after pill').
- The contraceptive injection (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, known as Depo-Provera) and contraceptive implant (Implanon NXT) may cause unpredictable bleeding that can be difficult for some women with an intellectual disability to manage.
- There can be difficulties with the insertion of the contraceptive implant or an intrauterine device, which can be overcome by having the procedure while sedated or under an anesthetic.
- Some women have difficulty remembering to take tablets such as the contraceptive pill regularly. This can be overcome by supervised use.
- Some people with intellectual disabilities may have difficulty negotiating the use of condoms.