Authors: Desiree Ingram and Mariana Sierra
Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition

Why Birth Control Matters for Women

This is the start of our birth control blog series, a space dedicated to learning and advocacy. For women, birth control is not just a method of preventing pregnancy. It is a cornerstone of health, independence, and economic opportunity. Access to safe and effective birth control allows women to take charge of their life, protect their health, and plan families on their own timeline. It gives women the freedom to pursue higher education and careers, and to space pregnancies in ways that support the well-being of both mother and baby. It is also a critical medical tool for many women outside of its use in preventing pregnancy.

Birth control is not about limiting options. It is about expanding them. These decisions are deeply personal, and we believe every woman should have respect, support, and access to care to make informed decisions for herself and/or her family.

How Birth Control Supports Women’s Health

Birth control is a critical part of women’s healthcare. Beyond pregnancy prevention, birth control can:

  • Reduce painful or heavy periods
  • Manage conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis
  • Improve acne and hormonal imbalances
  • Lower the risk of certain cancers (uterine, ovarian, colorectal)
  • Support physical and mental health by giving women control over their bodies

What Is Birth Control?

At its core, birth control (also called contraception) refers to any medicine, device, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy. Some methods are temporary, allowing women to become pregnant when they are ready. Others are permanent, for men or women certain they do not want future pregnancies or for whom it may be very unsafe to become pregnant. Each method works a little differently. Some have a similar effect on the body (also called mechanism of action), and others vary by both duration, effect and efficacy. Common methods include:

  • Pills 
  • IUDs 
  • Implants 
  • Patches 
  • Spermicides 
  • Barrier methods (like condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps)
  • Fertility awareness methods (including calendar method, basal body temperature tracking, cervical mucus method,  and lactational amenorrhea method)
  • Abstinence 

How Birth Control Works 

Think of birth control methods as coming in two main forms: hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal methods work by changing the levels of estrogen and/or progestin in a woman’s body. These hormones control the menstrual cycle, but when adjusted, can also affect other systems of the body. That’s why some women experience side effects. Some women may choose hormonal methods for their high effectiveness, cycle regulation, or acne management, but others may choose to avoid them due to side effects. 

Side effects may include mood changes such as mood swings, depression, or anxiety due to hormonal shifts. Weight can be affected through changes in appetite, water retention, or how fat is stored in the body. Breasts may feel sore or swollen because of higher estrogen levels. Hormonal changes can also trigger or worsen headaches and migraines. Nausea is common when starting the pill but usually improves after a few months. Irregular bleeding or spotting may occur during the first few months with an implant or IUD. Changes in sexual desire are possible, with some women experiencing less interest and others noticing an increase. Skin can respond differently as well, with many finding that hormonal birth control helps clear acne, while others may see more breakouts.

Non-hormonal methods appeal to women who prefer avoiding hormones, want fewer side effects, or seek options usable only at the time of intercourse. Ultimately, the choice depends on a person’s personal health needs, lifestyle, insurance coverage (or lack thereof), access, and comfort with each method. 

Hormonal Birth Control 

These work by changing a woman’s hormone levels to stop the release of an egg from an ovary each month. Some also thicken cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to travel to the egg. Overall, they prevent fertilization by making the egg unavailable for the sperm or the sperm unavailable for the egg.

Options currently include:

  • Pill: taken daily, works by releasing hormones (estrogen and/or progestin) 
  • Patch: worn on the skin and changed weekly, releases estrogen and progestin 
  • Ring: inserted in the vagina monthly, slowly releasing estrogen and progestin 
  • Implant: small rods placed under the skin of the arm, progestin-only, lasting 3-5 years
  • Injection: shot taken every 3 months, progestin-only 
  • Hormonal IUD: device placed in the uterus, progestin-only, lasting 3-8 years 

Non-Hormonal Birth Control 

These methods don’t include hormones. Instead, they create barriers, act as a spermicide, or employ natural ovulation tracking.

Options include:

  • Condoms: block sperm from entering the vagina and offers protection from sexually transmitted infections
  • Copper IUD: copper device placed in the uterus, which slowly releases copper ions into the uterus. It creates a toxic environment for sperm making it difficult to move and survive. This prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg.  
  • Diaphragm: dome-shaped cup placed inside the vagina to cover cervix and vaginal walls
  • Spermicide: chemicals that stop sperm from reaching an egg
  • Cervical cap: small, thimble shaped cup that fits over the cervix creating tight seal  
  • Fertility awareness methods: tracking menstrual cycles, basal body temperature tracking, and avoiding sex on days when a woman is most likely to get pregnant 
  • Lactational amenorrhea: requires consistent breastfeeding up to 6 months after childbirth, effective as long as a women has not yet menstruated 
  • Withdrawal: penis is withdrawn from the vagina before male ejaculation
  • Abstinence: Choosing not to have sex 
  • Sterilization: tubal ligation is a permanent procedure in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are cut, tied, or sealed to block eggs from moving from the ovaries to the uterus, preventing fertilization. A vasectomy is a minor surgery that blocks or cuts the small tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles. After a vasectomy, semen is released during ejaculation but no longer contains sperm, making it a permanent form of birth control for men. 

Women’s Health Programs in Texas

For a lot of women, especially those without health insurance or a regular doctor, getting birth control can feel difficult. That’s where programs like Healthy Texas Women and Family Planning Program come in. These programs offer free or low-cost care, which includes doctor visits and counseling on birth control methods. Both programs offer hormonal and non-hormonal birth control methods for low-income women to access. Women who live in rural areas or places without many clinics, these programs are a lifeline.

Our Advocacy Efforts

We believe no woman in Texas should be left behind when it comes to preventative healthcare and access to birth control. At the Capitol, the TWHC has been a strong voice pushing for policies that make it easier for women to get birth control.

A Major Win: House Bill 916 

During the 88th Regular Legislative Session, we celebrated a big step forward. HB 916 now allows women on Medicaid to receive a 12-month supply of hormonal birth control at once.

This change matters. It means fewer missed pills, fewer last-minute trips to the pharmacy and fewer struggles like arranging childcare and transportation just to pick up a monthly refill.

Other birth control bills did not pass in the 89th Regular Legislative Session, but they started important conversations about how women are treated when it comes to pain management during IUD insertion/removal, emergency contraception, and dignity in healthcare.  We’re not stopping here. We’ll continue to support policies that protect access to birth control and put women’s health and well-being first.

The Future We’re Building

Our next focus will be on education. With scientifically accurate information in the hands of women and the healthcare providers who serve them, we can build stronger communities and lasting change. 

  • We are planning events to educate lawmakers about women’s health issues, including the basics on birth control methods and emergency contraception.
  • Together with Every Body Texas, we plan to train clinicians on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods such as IUDs and implants, so women across the state have more choices they can trust.

By investing in education and training, we aim to support family planning, help women live healthier lives, and ensure every woman has the power to make informed choices that are best for her.

What’s Next in This Birth Control Blog Series?

In the months ahead, we’ll take you on a journey into the history, protections, myths, and realities of accessing birth control and the important role of emergency contraception. You will also hear stories from Texas women and the healthcare providers who support them as they face these choices every day.  

This journey is about centering women’s voices and lived experiences. When women have the tools to care for their health and shape their future, communities and families grow stronger.