Recognize Your Birth Control Options
What is birth control?
Birth control is a method of preventing conception for both men and women. There are several birth control options available. By being more informed about the many alternatives, you can determine which one is best for you and your spouse.
If you are sexually active and do not wish to have children, do not delay using birth control. Any time you have unprotected intercourse, an unwanted pregnancy is possible.
Recognize Your Contraceptive Options
Contraception and family planning are not novel ideas. While humans have attempted to avoid conception for generations, the widespread availability of effective chemical birth control is a comparatively new development. In 1960, When the FDA approved the first birth control pill in the United States, it opened up new possibilities for women all over the country, allowing them to plan their careers, relationships, and children in wholly new and innovative ways. Numerous additional contraceptive methods have been developed since then.
Contraceptive methods
There are numerous types of contraception available to women, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Within each category, various brands may add to the variety. While having too many options is rarely a bad thing, deciding which is best for you can be overwhelming.
Contraceptive pills
This is the most often-used method of birth control, though its use has waned in recent years. Birth control tablets are 91% effective and must be used daily to prevent pregnancy.
There are two types of tablets in this category: combination pills that include both progestin and estrogen and micro pills that contain only progestin. You and your doctor can discuss both alternatives to determine which is best for you.
Birth control pills are painless and readily available, but they must be used responsibly and on a daily basis. Just one missing dose can result in an unintended pregnancy. In addition, the pill is less effective than injections or intrauterine devices, though you should be protected if you take it on a consistent schedule every day.
Intrauterine implants
Intrauterine devices, or IUDs, are very small implants that are placed in the uterus. They are one of the most effective methods of contraception available, and they are available in two forms: copper and hormonal. Again, you and your doctor can review both alternatives to choose which is best for you.
Your IUD can last for years with little care required. Women can become pregnant immediately after the IUD is removed. This makes it the preferred method of birth control for women seeking a hands-off, convenient method that will not interfere with future family planning.
The most significant disadvantage of IUDs is the insertion procedure. Two-thirds of women report experiencing discomfort after insertion, albeit it is typically brief. Many believe that this is a minimal price to pay considering the IUD's effectiveness.
Injections of contraception
If you want to avoid the pill's inconvenience but do not want to undergo the IUD procedure, birth control injections may be the ideal solution for you. Similar to the pill, the Depo shot works by inhibiting ovulation.
You must have a birth control shot every three months, but it is really effective (94 percent ). As long as you maintain track of your checkups and vaccinations, you should be covered. If you are willing to tolerate quarterly injections, this approach may be preferable to the pill or intrauterine devices.
Selecting the best one for you
Birth control is a personal choice, and it may take time to find the method that works best for you. Many women begin with the pill and eventually move to alternative options. Additionally, there are other options to explore, such as the implant or vaginal ring.
Combining any kind of female birth control with condom use considerably increases protection against pregnancy and may also provide additional protection against STDs if condoms are used properly and regularly.
Before selecting a method of birth control, consider the following:
How is your schedule set up?
Can you consistently take your medication on a daily basis?
How is your tolerance for pain?
Are you concerned that a shot or IUD insertion would be too much for you?
Do you require hormonal birth control to treat acne, irregular menstruation, or other conditions?
Have you considered the potential consequences of each option?
Are you unable to use certain contraceptives due to health concerns?
