10 things to know when choosing birth control
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10 things to know when choosing birth control
The choice of birth control (contraception) to pick from has expanded quite a bit over the years. Before the pill was introduced in 1960, there were very few and often times very crude options available making family planning a hit and miss thing. Today, thanks to medical advances in preventing conception, women have far better and safer options than ever before.
Before making a decision of which birth control to use, here are 10 things to consider when choosing the best way to prevent pregnancy:
1. What birth control are there to choose from?
The type of birth control you use depends on your health, your desire to have children now or in the future, and your need to prevent. Ask your doctor for help if needed in deciding which type is best for you at this time. Here are some of the most effective to the least effective birth control methods for preventing pregnancy:
· Female and male sterilization – (female tubal ligation or occlusion, male vasectomy) – This is birth control that prevents pregnancy for the rest of your life through surgery or a medical procedure.
· Long-acting reversible contraceptives or “LARC” methods – (Intrauterine devices, hormonal implants) – Birth control your doctor inserts one time and you do not have to remember to use birth control every day or month. LARCs last for 3 to 10 years, depending on the method.
· Short-acting hormonal methods – (The pill, mini pills, patch, shot, vaginal ring) – Birth control your doctor prescribes that you remember to take every day or month. The shot requires you to get a shot from your doctor every 3 months.
· Barrier methods – (Condoms, diaphragms, sponge, cervical cap) – Birth control you use each time you have sex.
· Natural rhythm methods – Not using a type of birth control but instead avoiding sex and/or using birth control only on the days when you are most fertile or likely to get pregnant.
2. How do these different birth control options work?
Birth control methods may prevent pregnancy by:
· Preventing sperm from reaching the egg
· Inactivating or damaging sperm
· Preventing an egg from being released each month
· Altering the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg doesn’t attach to it
· Thickening the cervical mucus so that sperm can’t easily pass through it
3. How effective is the method?
When choosing a birth control one of the most important questions to ask is its effectiveness. Keep in mind however, that effectiveness of each birth control also depends on the use using it consistently and correctly.
4. Is the birth control method chosen reversible?
Deciding upon the right birth control method for you depends on your pregnancy plans. If you want to become pregnant within the next 6 months, then you may want a method that can be easily stopped or quickly reversible, such as an oral contraceptive or a barrier method. But if you do not want to become pregnant for several years, then a method such as an IUD may be appropriate.
5. Take into consideration your religious beliefs or cultural practices
Depending on your religious beliefs and cultural practices, certain birth control methods may be off limits to where they are considered a violation against certain religious laws or cultural traditions.
6. How convenient and affordable is the birth control method?
Convenience of a birth control method can mean many things to different people – ease of use, no bothersome side effects, no disruption of sexual pleasure, or no prescription required. Also be sure to check out the cost of each and if your health insurance covers it or not as some are inexpensive while others are relatively costly.
7. Are there any side effects?
Many of the birth control methods have few if any side effects. If one does exhibit unpleasant symptoms, you will have to consider your tolerance for these side effects. Discuss thoroughly with your doctor or pharmacist of any possible health consequences each may pose.
8. Can they protect against sexually transmitted disease?
The only method of birth control that offers reliable protection from sexually transmitted disease (STDs) is male and female condoms. Unless you’re in a mutually monogamous relationship and have been tested for STDs, use a new condom every time you have sex in addition to any other method of birth control you use.
9. Do any of the methods offer other benefits?
Besides preventing pregnancy, some birth control methods provide benefits such as predictable, lighter menstrual cycles, reduced risk of STDs, and possible reduction of risk of some cancers.
10. Do you and your partner agree on the birth control method?
It’s important to discuss with your partner about what birth control method to use determining which method is acceptable to both of you. Being open and honest with each other about your decisions will make the process of choosing the right method for your relationship go much smoother.