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Birth control is defined as any device, medicine, or surgery used to prevent pregnancy. Different types of contraceptives use various methods to accomplish that goal, and they’re typically split into two main categories: hormonal and barrier.
Hormonal birth control options such as pills, patches, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) prevent pregnancy by doing things like thickening your cervical mucus, preventing ovulation, or creating an environment that isn’t conducive to fertilization.
Barrier birth control options such as internal and external condoms, cervical caps, and diaphragms prevent sperm from ever reaching an egg. These are best used in conjunction with spermicide. In addition to pregnancy prevention, some barrier methods can also protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
These birth control options vary widely in their effectiveness, ease of use, and method of protection, so it can be tough to know which one might be a good fit for you. Because of that, our gynecology team at the Center for Women’s Health Richmond in Sugar Land and Richmond, Texas, wants to pose some questions to help narrow down which birth control is right for you.
1. Can you use your birth control consistently and properly?
Many birth control options require you to use them consistently and properly in order to be effective. For example, birth control pills have to be taken every day, and condoms have to be used every time to provide effective protection. This fact could put you at risk for an unplanned pregnancy, especially if you have a hectic or non-conventional schedule.
So, if you don’t think you can remember to take a pill every day or use a condom every time you have sex, you may want to consider something more long-lasting and convenient to give you some peace of mind.
A permanent form of birth control would be female sterilization (tubal ligation). However, if you’d like it to be reversible, implants and IUDs are very effective, last for several years, and can be reversed when or if you decide you’re ready to become pregnant.
2. Are you willing to risk an unplanned pregnancy?
Another factor to consider is how effective you need your birth control to be. If getting pregnant is absolutely out of the question right now, efficacy is probably a top priority.
If you’ve had one or more children already, and you know you’re done having kids, tubal ligation is 99% effective and permanent. However, if you’d like to keep your options open for future children, IUDs and implants are reversible while still offering 99% effectiveness.
3. Are you worried about side effects?
Short-term, hormonal birth control methods such as pills and patches are easy to use and offer good protection. However, these particular methods may have some adverse side effects. While they can lighten and regulate your periods, you may find yourself dealing with some changes in weight or mood.
Before committing to a birth control method, our team explains any side effects that may accompany each option.
4. Do you need STD protection?
If protection against STDs is a real concern for you, it’s important to keep that in mind as you choose a birth control option. The only form of birth control that can protect you from developing an STD is condoms. No other contraceptive can provide that.
For STD protection, you need to use a condom every time you have sex. Condoms don’t offer the best pregnancy prevention method, so you can certainly use additional birth control methods to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. However, condoms have to be used to reduce STD risk.
If you’re ready to choose a new birth control method, schedule an appointment with our Center for Women’s Health Richmond team by calling your nearest office location or using our online booking feature today.