This is Part 2 of the 3 part series I’m doing on birth control methods - and this week is all about non-hormonal birth control methods! I know not all women with PCOS are keen to get pregnant right now (or at all!) so I wanted to talk more about birth control.

There’s so much more to non-hormonal contraception than just the condom and that’s what I’m going to dive into today. If you’re looking for a more natural approach and don’t want synthetic hormones but have no idea where to start - or think that the only thing you can use are condoms - this episode is one you NEED to listen to!

This episode is for you if:

• You’re currently on hormonal birth control and want to know what non-hormonal options are available to you
• You want to know more about the effectiveness of non-hormonal methods
• You have issues with anxiety and/or depression - I’ll explain more on this in the beginning of the episode!
• You want some cheaper alternatives to hormonal birth control methods
• What else these non-hormonal contraceptive methods are useful for preventing

Some things we cover in this episode:

• Copper Coil (IUD)
• Cervical cap / diaphragm
• Sponge
• Male condom
• Female condom
• Spermicides
• Withdrawal Method
• FAMs (Fertility Awareness Based Methods)
• Sympto-Thermal Fertility Awareness
• Lactational Amenorrhea Method

Resources and References:

• Copper IUD:
  • Inhibition of sperm motility in vitro by copper wire
  • 0.8% Failure Rate: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
  • The Efficacy Of Intrauterine Devices For Emergency Contraception And Beyond: A Systematic Review Update
  • Serum Copper in Long-Term Users of Copper Intrauterine Devices
  • Changes in copper and zinc serum levels in women wearing a copper TCu-380A intrauterine device
  • Decreased Zinc and Increased Copper in Individuals with Anxiety
• Fertility Awareness Based Methods:
  • Fertility Awareness-Based Methods: Another Option for Family Planning
• Sympto-Thermal Fertility Awareness:
  • Fertility Awareness-Based Methods: Another Option for Family Planning
• Lactational Amenorrhea Method:
  • The efficacy of the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) among working women

Relevant episodes of The PCOS Nutritionist Podcast: 

• Your Guide to Birth Control (Part 1): Hormonal Birth Control
• The single biggest factor to getting pregnant - and you’re in control of it

Links to our programs:

• The PCOS Protocol
• Eggducated