Non-hormonal options for your back-to-school birth control
Written by Nhatalya Pagtakhan
For the past year and a half, us college students have been hiding out in our family homes while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Now that universities are opening back up to in-person classes again, we’re starting a new “social experiment.” What do you get when you put a bunch of college students together on campus after having been touch-deprived for a year and a half? A lot of touching (to make up for lost time, of course). And that touching may lead to ... more.
We at Parachute want you to be sexually safe if you’re going back to in-person classes. Our health and wellness section wrote about all the possible reasons those who menstruate would want to be on hormonal birth control, however, there are certain reasons the pill, the patch and so on are not viable options for some people (like having a history of blood clots, or smoking cigarettes).
If you’re interested, here are a few non-hormonal alternatives for preventing pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) before school’s back in session:
The FYI on pulling out
Most likely used in the spur of the moment, if a person with a penis and a person with a vagina are having sex and neither are on birth control, they’ll likely use (or, attempt to use) this as a last resort and precaution in preventing accidental conception. The problem with withdrawal is that, not only does it not protect you or your partner from STIs, but relying solely on someone’s pull out capabilities leaves a lot of room for uncertainty. What if they somehow aren’t able to pull out? What if your body is in its fertile window, and you don’t even know it?
So, while we’re not sure we endorse solely this practice of safe sex, we want you to know you have options.
What about condoms?
We won’t bore you with the basics, however, we’d like to remind you how important it is to use condoms, whether external or internal. You don’t need a prescription for them, and they’re the only birth control method that also protects against STIs. They’re for anyone and everyone, especially if you (or your sexual partner) intend on being physically intimate with someone whose sexual history you don’t fully know.
While sex-related infections are treatable, the risk of getting re-infected can be higher after the first STI. There are also worse conditions that can develop from STIs, such as certain cancers related to HPV. If you happen to not be vaccinated against HPV, there are higher chances of other adversities, too.
Basically, we encourage you and your sexual partners to be safe as prevention for future complications.
Ovulation tracking
Also known as “fertility awareness,” this is someone’s way of determining their level of fertility. When someone is ovulating, this means they’re at peak fertility (i.e. most likely to get pregnant if they were to have sex with a male). This is usually day 14 of a menstrual (period) cycle, or roughly two weeks after the first day of their period (these days are calculated based on the average period cycle of 28 days).
Counting the days and marking when to have/not have sex can be mentally tiring, and confusing, if you’re new to this process. If you haven’t already, downloading a period tracker app can help you to know what days you’re more likely to be fertile, as well as days your period may start.
If your period/fertile window cycles aren’t as predictable or much longer/shorter than 28 days, there are other ways to determine if you’re in your fertile window or not.
For example, there’s temperature checking. As your body goes through its hormonal cycles, your body temperature rises and falls, depending on where you are in your cycle. If you’re a person who gets periods, your body temperature starts lower during your period, begins to climb during ovulation and falls once again just before your period starts all over again.
Another thing you can do to be aware of your fertility levels is check your cervical mucus. Your vaginal discharge amount, color and thickness can tell you when your body is ovulating. The more discharge you have — as well as the more slippery it is — it can mean you’re most likely ovulating (while the less amounts, more cloudy looking and drier it feels, it means you’re probably not ovulating).
It may take a few months of self-studying and practicing these before feeling 100% confident in all of these techniques, but seeing this as a time to get in tune with your body can make you more willing to learn how to check your ovulation status properly. Also, fertility awareness and being conscious of your body’s needs at different times of the month can make you prepared to know how to take care of yourself before, during and after your period.
I need more protection than that!
Great, you're wanting to have extra protection. But maybe you’re not ready for hormonal methods yet — there are still other, less invasive options we have for you.
You can combine fertility awareness with condoms to increase chances of safe sex. In addition to condoms, there are other barrier methods that don’t require hormonal medication, such as cervical sponges, caps and diaphragms.
Each of these devices can be inserted into the vagina and placed near the cervix to block off the path of sperm entering further. One thing to note is that diaphragms and cervical caps do not contain spermicide — only sponges already have spermicide on them (a gel or cream that kills off sperm before it reaches an egg).
Cervical sponges are accessible to anyone without prescription/health insurance, while diaphragms and cervical caps should be fitted for with a medical professional, so you will likely need a prescription for it.
A word about abstinence
You’ve probably heard that “abstinence is the only definitive way to prevent pregnancy or any sexually transmitted infections.” There are also other reasons you might wait to have sex, whether it be due to cultural, religious or personal values.
However, the reality is that plenty of people in relationships are physically involved with each other. Having sex is a way of increasing closeness with a person, and it can make your bond with them stronger. It can also benefit you personally to explore your own sexuality by having sex with someone. You can figure out what you enjoy sexually, as well as increase your feeling of comfort in your own skin when done right.
Whatever your final choice is, know that either way your decision is valid. You don’t need to explain your choice to anyone, either. Choosing actions that make you most proud of yourself and help you live yo’ best life are more important than other people’s opinions of whether or not you choose to have sex.
How do I talk to my sexual partner(s) about protection?
Before getting intimate with a partner, ask yourself what you define as a sexual activity, and decide what kind(s) of sex you’re okay with. For example, someone could be okay with oral sex only, while someone else is okay with vaginal and oral sex but not anal (this all varies person to person). Deciding for yourself first will help you decide what your sexual boundaries are and what you’re willing to experience versus what you’re not.
Next, gain enough trust with the person you’re planning on being sexually intimate with to discuss sex openly with them. By “enough,” we mean so much that you can communicate your boundaries to that person if you need to. Some people are on the same page about how far you’re willing to go sexually with each other, but communicating and making yourselves clear to each other can save you from uncomfortable situations. For example, if your partner accidentally did something you weren’t okay with, having enough open communication to tell them to stop is important. They always say communication is key, and that doesn’t feel any more true than before becoming someone’s sex partner.
Whatever you choose to practice this fall, know that you can always talk to someone professionally if you have more questions about birth control, pregnancy, STI protection and reproductive health. We wish you luck and hope you stay safe this term!
Header photo by (Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition / Unsplash)
