Forty-One - Green Contraception

Guthrie told me this post was all me. :) I have been worried about contraception for many reasons, but mostly for the hormones that it puts into a women's body for such a long time. After reading this article on the Huffington Post website, I decided to finally make a switch for me and my planet. The Huffington Post decided to determine the greenest type of contraception out there. Many would say it's abstinence, but here are some interesting facts (without getting into too much debate). From the article, according to the Guttmacher Institute, "200 million women worldwide do not have access to family planning tools, resulting in 52 million unwanted pregnancies each year. In the United States, 50 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned." This is unacceptable, though that soap box is not this blog, so back on topic.

I'll give the summary on what the article discussed:

Condoms - 437 million condoms were sold in the US in 2008. There are now vegan options available (latex condoms contain a dairy derivative). Vegan ones are made from tree derivatives. Still, condoms produce a lot of solid waste each year and many are improperly disposed of. There are some condom companies listed in the article that donate money to charity or are fair-trade and biodegradable.

The Pill - the synthetic estrogen, progestin, etc are released into our water system through urination, which impacts wildlife and our own health when that water gets circulated back through our tap. Many aquatic species are seeing problems with males being feminized due to increased hormones in the water. The pill also comes in some of the most ridiculous packaging that is disposed of monthly.

Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing) - lasts three weeks and uses much less plastic packaging than the pill, though there is still the problem of the hormones.

The Patch - very similar to the ring, lasts one week and has less packaging than the pill, but still, there are hormones involved.

IUDs - 99% effective, little waste, can be hormone-free, and last up to ten years, though less than 2% of the US population uses this method. The up front cost is substantial, but is very cost effective over time.

Also, if none of these are appealing, you can look into the Family Awareness Planning. Nothing needed, if you abstain during your most fertile days (or you use a back up like a condom or diaphragm).

If you are interested, read the article, read lots more articles, talk to your doctor, your partner, and find what works best for you.

Last week I stopped my oral contraception, Microgestin, and went to the doctor to have an IUD inserted.  That's our number 41.

Peace!