Why Non-Hormonal Birth Control Might Be Right For You

If you’ve ever listened to, or read, any content I’ve put out into the world, then you know I love

to answer “awkward” questions, and I am here for nuanced education. I thoroughly enjoy

educating about, prescribing, and managing hormonal birth control. But I am beyond well

aware that it is NOT for everyone. So let’s talk about why non-hormonal birth control, maybe

the FemCap, might be right for you.

- Decreased Libido

o If you utilized hormonal birth control and watched your libido slowly dwindle to

nothing, this could be a persistent issue with most hormonal methods you try. If

you experience these symptoms, it’s important to have a detailed conversation

with your healthcare provider about possible causes. When using a non-

hormonal method you should have a natural surge of estrogen that increases

vaginal discharge, arousal, and makes your “drive” much more noticeable. (What

I fondly like to call that time of the month where your body says, “I look great, I

feel great, I should probably go forth and populate the Earth.”)

- PMS/PMDD

o Hormonal birth control can be a first-line treatment to address PMS and PMDD,

but for some people it is ineffective. If you feel like your symptoms of

depression, anxiety, and/or rage worsen when using hormonal birth control then

it might not be right for you. Some people feel their symptoms are easier

addressed when they are tracking their cycle, know when to expect their

symptoms, and use other methods to mitigate (like therapy, supplements, etc.).

- Natural Family Planning or Preparing for Pregnancy

o Nonhormonal barrier methods, like FemCap, can help increase the effectiveness

of Natural Family Planning to prevent pregnancy. As we like to say, “any method

when used with another method is more effective.” If you would like to use NFP

to prevent pregnancy, but haven’t starting tracking your cycle regularly, the

FemCap could be used until you are confident with NFP, or during your fertile

window when you still want to be active, but need the protection.

- You Know Your Body, Extra Vital Sign

o Have you ever heard that your menses is like an extra vital sign? A missed, early,

or irregular menses can be the first sign there is something new happening in

your body, or your body is having a new reaction to your environment. While

stopping or controlling menses with birth control is the right choice for some,

letting a regular (or irregular) menses happen is the right choice for others. A

change to your menstrual cycle could be the sign of: perimenopause, thyroid

dysfunction, insulin resistance, prolactinoma, ovarian cysts, and the list goes on!

There are many reasons to choose a non-hormonal method of birth control. The FemCap has

been re-designed for improved effectiveness and ease of use. It can be a simple addition that

can be used with other methods, give you more peace of mind in your family planning, while

allowing you to monitor your body. While all of these reasons are great, you don’t really need

any reason to give non-hormonal birth control a try. It’s your body, you know it better than

anyone else, and you can make an informed decision on what is right for you.