Birth Control and Contraception in Singapore

Remember contraception and birth control covered during Sex Education in school? Just a quick recap, these are methods to prevent pregnancy. How well do you really know about it and has things changed since? Today, we will weigh out for you the different types of contraception available, its effectiveness and cost in Singapore.

Au Naturale Approach

Withdrawal Method a.k.a Pulling Out

This is when the man pulls out his penis before ejaculation. But it is possible for sperms to leak into pre-cum, increasing the risk of pregnancy.
Effectiveness: ~78%
Costs: -
Pros: No costs, no medication, no side effect and easily reversible should you decide to get pregnant
Cons: Low effectiveness, no protection against STIs, full control by the man
Rhythm Method a.k.a Timing it Out
This involves the female tracking her menstrual cycle to abstain from having sex on her most fertile days. But note that sperms can remain alive in your body for up to 5 days after ejaculation.
Effectiveness: ~76%
Costs: -
Pros: No costs, no medication, no side effect and easily reversible should you decide to get pregnant
Cons: Low effectiveness, no protection against STIs, abstinence from sex for multiple days, recommended to track your menstrual cycle for ~6 months before adopting this method, and can be tricky for irregular menstruators

Hormonal Approach

Birth Control Pills
These pills contain hormones stop the ovulation process so that no eggs are released.
Effectiveness: ~91%
Costs: ~$20 - $45 per month with doctor's prescription
Pros: Easily reversible should you decide to get pregnant, range of potential positive effects (e.g. regular light period, reduce acne, reduce PMS symptoms, etc.)
Cons: Monthly costs, self-discipline to take the pill every day, no protection against STIs, range of potential negative short-term side effects (i.e. irregular bleeding, headache, nausea, breast tenderness, etc.) to longer-term side effects (e.g. migraines, changes in sex drive and mood, etc.)
Emergency Birth Control Pills a.k.a The Morning After Pill
These pills are only for emergency as the name suggests when you had unprotected sex. Best to consume the pill within 24-48 hours for better efficacy. The sooner you take, the better they work. But this should never be your main form of birth control.
Effectiveness: ~58-91% depending on the time lag
Costs: ~$30 - $70 with doctor's prescription
Pros: Easily reversible should you decide to get pregnant, emergency contraception post unprotected sex
Cons: No protection against STIs, range of potential negative short-term side effects (i.e. irregular bleeding, headache, nausea, breast tenderness, etc.)
Hormonal Patches
Known as Evra patch, it is a thin patch that releases hormones to stop ovulation, often worn on the abdomen, thigh, buttocks or arms. You only need to replace it weekly. For each monthly cycle, you wear it for 3 weeks and leave it off for the 4th week.
Effectiveness: ~91%
Costs: ~$40 - $60 per month with doctor's prescription
Pros: Easily reversible should you decide to get pregnant, potential positive side effect (e.g. regulate periods, etc.)
Cons: Can be uncomfortable to wear, self-discipline to change it weekly, no protection against STIs, range of potential negative side effects (i.e. rashes, irregular bleeding, headache, nausea, breast tenderness, etc.)
Birth Control Implants
A “matchstick” size implant that gets inserted into your inner upper arm and can last for about 3-5 years.
Effectiveness: ~99%
Costs: ~$400 - $500 per implant with doctor's prescription
Pros: High effectiveness, relatively long term form of contraception
Cons: Need to visit a doctor to remove implant should you decide to get pregnant, no protection against STIs, range of potential negative short-term side effects (i.e. bruising and pain in the arm, irregular bleeding, headache, nausea, breast tenderness, etc.)
Birth Control Injections
This is a shot of hormones given by your doctor every 3 months to prevent ovulation.
Effectiveness: ~94%
Costs: ~$150 - $200 per implant with doctor's prescription
Pros: Range of potential positive side effects (i.e. lighter or even no periods, etc.)
Cons: Self-discipline to visit the doctor every 3 months for shots, no protection against STIs, will take a long time to regain fertility should you decide to get pregnant, range of potential negative side effects (i.e. irregular bleeding for the first 6 – 12 months, etc.)
Contraceptive Ring a.k.a. Vaginal Ring
A small soft plastic ring that is placed inside of the vagina, releasing a continuous dose of hormones. You only need to replace it monthly. For each monthly cycle, you wear it for 3 weeks and leave it off for the 4th week.
Effectiveness: ~91%
Costs: ~$60 per month with doctor's prescription
Pros: Easily reversible should you decide to get pregnant, potential positive side effect (e.g. reduce PMS symptoms, lighter and less painful period, etc.)
Cons: Self-discipline to change it monthly, no protection against STIs, range of potential negative side effects (i.e. increased vaginal discharge/irritation, dampened sex drive, etc.)
Hormonal Intrauterine Device a.k.a. IUD
A small T-shaped device that releases hormones is inserted inside the uterus. It can last up to 3 to 6 years.
Effectiveness: ~99%
Costs: ~$400 - $500 per IUD with doctor's prescription
Pros: High effectiveness, relatively long term form of contraception, potential positive side effect (e.g. reduce PMS symptoms, lighter and less painful period, etc.)
Cons: Need to visit a doctor to remove implant should you decide to get pregnant, no protection against STIs, range of potential negative short-term side effects (i.e. pain at insertion, irregular bleeding, etc.)

Non-Hormonal Approach

Male Condoms
A barrier device made of latex either worn over the penis before sexual intercourse.
Effectiveness: ~98%
Costs: ~$13 - $30 per packet of 12 male condom
Pros: Protection against STIs, easily reversible should you decide to get pregnant, non-hormonal
Cons: Hassle of putting it on every time you have sex, risk of condom improperly put on
Copper IUD
A small T-shaped device that is inserted inside the uterus. It can last up to 5 to 10 years.
Effectiveness: ~99%
Costs: ~$150 - $300 per IUD with doctor's prescription
Pros: High effectiveness, emergency contraception post unprotected sex, long term form of contraception
Cons: Need to visit a doctor to remove implant should you decide to get pregnant, no protection against STIs, range of potential negative short-term side effects (i.e. pain at insertion, heavier longer periods, etc.)
Ligation or Vasectomy
The only truly permanent form of birth control is sterilisation, and that involves surgery – either ligation (for women) or vasectomy (for men). Ligation involves keyhole surgery to close the fallopian tubes so eggs can’t travel to the uterus while vasectomy involves cutting the ducts that carry sperm. Both are a day procedure that doesn’t require hospitalisation.
Effectiveness: 99%, three months post procedure
Costs: $1,000 - $14,000 for Ligation, $200 - $3,000 for Vasectomy depending on public vs private hospitals
Pros: High effectiveness, long term form of contraception
Cons: Almost irreversible should you decide to get pregnant, no protection against STIs, range of potential negative short-term side effects (i.e. pain, risk of infection, etc.)