Most couples struggle through birth control schedules and methods. There are countless birth control options available online and offline. Each of them comes with their set of benefits and drawbacks. It becomes quite challenging to select the most preferred method of birth control. If you are not satisfied with the birth control pills and are in search of a more convenient option, here we have shared one for you. It is a relatively new birth control option approved by the FDA in 2020. Here we have shared all the facts regarding this unique non-hormonal birth control method. We have shared the pros as well as cons to give you a clear picture. Read along and find out all about this non-hormonal FDA approved birth control option.

What is the Concept Behind This Innovative Birth Control Option?

Phexxi is a new and innovative non-hormonal birth control gel that was approved by the FDA in 2020. Since it is a completely new type of non-hormonal birth control method, you may naturally hesitate to try it. This won’t be the case when you are well informed about this new contraceptive method. We hope to keep you informed by writing this post. The concept of Phexxi is simple and easy to understand. 

The vagina is acidic by nature while the semen released by the male counterpart is highly basic. The PH value of the acids in the vagina is PH 4 while the semen has PH 7.5. When the semen enters the vagina during intercourse, the vaginal fluids become more basic to ensure the survival of the sperm. This process is hindered with the help of Phexxi that is highly acidic. This modern contraceptive gel contains citric acid, lactic acid and potassium bitartrate that together maintain the acidic nature of the vagina preventing conception. This method of birth control may benefit women’s health by preventing conception.

How Effective Is This Non-Hormonal Birth Control Option?

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this birth control method. The subjects considered in the study included 71% white women, 24% black women and 2.5% brown women. The study was conducted over 7 cycles of birth control. The study revealed that Phexxi was effective in 86% cases while in 14% cases women got pregnant in spite of this method. This means that you may consider the use of this method parallely with other methods to ensure best effectiveness.

What are the Pros and Cons of This Birth Control Option?

Knowledge about women’s health also implies knowing the pros and cons of the chosen birth control method. Here we have shared a list to give you a detailed picture. Check them out:

Pros:

  • The method is a good option for women who are seeking non-hormonal birth control options.
  • The method is effective in 86% of the cases.
  • The effectiveness of this method can be increased further by using it in combination with other methods.

Cons:

  • The method may result in pregnancy in 14% of the cases.
  • The user needs to use an applicator to apply the gel each time before intercourse. This means if the person plans to have intercourse multiple times in one night, she will have to use Phexxi the same number of times.
  • One third of the women who tested the Phexxi birth control for its effectiveness experienced irritation and burning sensation in their vulva and vaginal areas.
  • 1% women who used this method also suffered more serious side effects such as urinary tract infection.
  • Some men also complained of irritation and itching due to the use of this birth control gel.
  • The gel does not protect against STIs.

What are Some Common Queries Regarding This Birth Control Option?

Get all your doubts about Phexxi cleared before you use it as a birth control option. We have listed answers to most common queries regarding Phexxi use here:

How to Use Phexxi as Birth Control?

A prefilled applicator in the size and shape of a tampon is used to apply Phexxi gel to the vagina. The gel works immediately and may last up to an hour. This means you may have to use another round when you plan multiple rounds of intercourse.

Can Phexxi Protect Against STIs?

No! Phexxi gel cannot protect against STIs. Women need to use condoms to avoid such women’s health problems.

What are the Different Birth Control Options Available Today?

There are several hormonal and non-hormonal birth control options available today. Barrier methods such as condoms, IUDs are all effective. You can rely on hormonal birth control pills that are available in two types. You can go for progestin only pills or combination pills packs. You can easily order each of these birth control pills online from our store and have the medicines delivered to your door. Get a discount on the shipping prices as you place orders in bulk.

Birth control tablets are a method of contraception for preventing conception, it is 99% effective when you take them every day. Hormones in the tablet help to control menstruation, reduce the chance of ovarian and uterine cancer, enhance acne, and cure endometriosis.

Contraception, sometimes known as birth control, is a means of preventing pregnancy. There are many birth control options including the pill. 

The birth control pill is a hormonal contraceptive that helps women avoid becoming pregnant. It’s called a “pill” since it’s in pill format. You can take this pill orally once a day. It is more effective if you take this pill at the same time every day.

How does it work?

Hormones in birth control pills work to prevent pregnancy by:

  • Ovulation suppression or reduction.
  • To prevent sperm from accessing the uterus, cervical mucus thickens.
  • Thinning the uterine lining to make it less likely for a fertilized egg to connect. 

 Its types.

On the market, there are two types of birth control tablets. Hormones that hinder pregnancy are present in both forms. 

Oestrogen and progestin are in combination tablets.

“The mini-pill” is another term for progestin-only pills. It is better if you shouldn’t take estrogen also if you’re nursing a baby or have a risk of clotting or strokes. 

This tablet is available in a variety of dose packets, ranging from 21-day to 90-day to 365 days of effective pill packs. Depending on the product and dosage, you should take at least three weeks of effective tablets followed by two to seven days of hormone-free (non-active) pills. This is known as cyclic dosing. During the inactive pill time, most of you may have a menstrual cycle. Some companies do not include any inactive tablets in their packaging. You should not take any medicines for a week when you’re using a 21-day package. During this time you’ll get your menstruation, just like when you’re on hormone-free medication. 

Some formulations allow for continuous dosage, which means there are no inactive pills and you need to take only one pill a day. Prolonged cycle dosing, on the other hand, occurs three to four times each year when there’s a gap in the routine. Menstruation is prevented by omitting inactive pills. A doctor can give you the best way to proceed. 

This medicine won’t help you in preventing any sexually transmitted disease. 

Benefits of taking this medicine.  

Many of you may take this medicine to improve your health. 

This pill has the ability to:

  1. Menstruation can be regulated or lightened. 
  2. Make your periods gradually exposed to avoid anemia. 
  3. Reduce the severity of period cramps.
  4. Premenstrual syndrome and Premenstrual dysmorphic disorder should be managed. 
  5. The polycystic ovarian syndrome should be treated (PCOS). 
  6. Endometriosis and uterine fibroids should be treated. 
  7. Reduce your chances of ovarian, uterine, and colon cancer.
  8. Acne can be enhanced. 
  9. Stop the growth of undesired hair.
  10. Migraines will become less common. 
  11. Control hot flashes as you approach menopause.

Negative consequences.

You may encounter some adverse effects when you initially start taking this drug. After some months the side effects generally disappear. If you’re having any negative effects, inform your doctor. You can switch to a different product if that doesn’t cause you any issues. Here are some examples of negative effects.     

  • Tenderness or swelling of the breasts.
  • Headache. 
  • Mood swings or agitation. 
  • Nausea.
  • Abnormal menstruation. 

Health risks. 

The majority of them are unaffected by birth control pills. Because the pill has been there for sixty years, there is a lot of familiarity and experience with it. If you use a combined (oestrogen-containing) birth control pill in a tiny proportion there’s an elevated risk of suffering from these uncommon side effects. 

  • Clots in the blood.
  • Thrombosis of the deep veins (DVT).
  • A heart attack has occurred. 
  • High blood pressure or hypertension. 
  • Stroke

Your doctor will discuss your risk level with you based on your treatment. If you’re unable to take an estrogen-containing pill, progestin-only pills can be used safely.