Contraceptive Choices for Premenopausal Women

Overview

Choosing the right contraception method is important for any woman during her reproductive years. Just because a woman is premenopausal does not mean that her options are limited. According to a 2008 study by Andrew M. Kaunitz in the New England Journal of Medicine, women can use hormone based birth control up until they reach menopause. If a premenopausal woman does not want to use birth control pills or a hormone implant, she can choose a male or female condom. While sterilization is also an option, it is an irreversible decision.

Male Condom

According to Planned Parenthood, male condoms are a commonly used non-hormone form of birth control for any age. Before engaging in sexual intercourse, the man puts the penis over his erect penis. The reservoir tip at the end of the condom is used to catch the semen. However, the condom should be removed before the penis becomes flaccid, or the semen could leak over the edge of the condom. When used correctly, the male condom is effective 98 percent of the time.

Female Condom

Female condoms are another option of non-hormone birth control for premenopausal women, according to Planned Parenthood. The female condom is inserted into the woman's vagina before intercourse and removed afterward. According to Planned Parenthood, the female condom is 95 percent effective when used correctly.

Birth Control Pill

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2008 showed that women can use hormone birth control pills until they reach menopause. Low doses of estrogen and progestin can also ease symptoms of menopause. Birth control pills are 99 percent effective when used properly. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, premenopausal women can choose from three different types of birth control pills: combination pills, progestin-only pills and extended cycle pill. Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin; women who cannot take estrogen should opt for the progestin-only pill. The extended cycle pill contains progestin and estrogen, but contains additional hormones pills so the woman's period does not occur every month.

Implant

A longer term option for contraception for premenopausal women is an implant. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the implant contains synthetic female hormones to prevent pregnancy. The implant is implanted in the woman's upper arm and is nearly 100 percent effective.

Tubal Ligation

If the woman does not want to use hormone pills, condoms or implants, she can choose to have her tubes tied. However, this is a permanent form of female sterilization.