A women’s health expert in Alpharetta and Atlanta GA understands that it can feel a bit overwhelming to go through the many available contraceptives. With everything from pills to patches to implants, deciding on what the best type of contraceptive is for you can be a big challenge.
Your OB/GYN will specialize in providing care for you, and this includes helping to decide on the correct type of birth control that fits your lifestyle.
Talking with your doctor will always be a good idea, but it is understandable that sometimes you will need an excellent place to start when it comes to narrowing down on a choice. That is why this guide was made, to help you navigate through the many options of contraceptives.
Whether you are looking for another method of protection or you are brand new to the world of contraceptives, you will want to take a number of factors under consideration. Here is an overview of the options that are available to you.
Sterilization: Vasectomies for men and tubal ligations or tube tying are medical procedures that are incredibly effective and will permanently prevent any pregnancies in the future.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives: Hormonal implants and IUDs are long-term options for birth control that can be removed when you are ready to become pregnant. This option offers a high level of protection from anywhere between 3 to 12 years, which helps eliminate the need to take a pill every day.
Short-acting hormonal methods: The mini pill, birth control pill, vaginal ring, and patch all contain a hormone called progestin. This causes the cervical mucus to become thickened and your endometrial lining to become thin. This results in reducing the chance of any sperm reaching an egg. Also, if the fertilization of an egg occurs, it will not be able to become implanted in the uterus. Other than the mini pill, most pills contain estrogen; this hormone works to keep your ovaries from releasing any eggs.
Natural rhythm method: This option involves tracking your menstrual cycle and abstaining from sex or using other forms of contraceptives on the days of every month when you will be more likely to become pregnant.
Barrier method: Diaphragms, condoms, cervical caps, and sponges can block sperm from ever meeting one of your eggs and are meant to be used every time you are about to have sex or used as a backup for other methods of birth control that you are using.
The type of contraceptive that works best for you can change over time, and there is no one option that will be perfect for everyone. For this reason, it is vital to have an open conversation with your doctor about your needs.
Women’s health experts suggest that you have a conversation with your partner since there are forms of birth control that can be used by men. Make sure that both of you understand the contraceptive that you are choosing.
Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.
