Almost two-thirds of American women use a form of birth control. If you are new to contraceptives or are just looking for a change, we at Woodstone Family Practice & Urgent Care can help you determine the best method for you and your partner.
When it comes to choosing a birth control method, you want one that fits your lifestyle. After all, you need a method that you will actually use so it’s effective.
Obviously, the main reason for birth control is to not get pregnant, but there are many other considerations that affect your choice of birth control. Ask yourself these questions:
Once you know the answers to these questions, you can narrow down your options.
If you want to ease the severity of your periods, look at hormonal options. These include:
These all require a prescription from a doctor, so if you are interested in one of these methods, schedule an appointment with Dr. James Y. Lee at Woodstone Family Practice, and he can discuss with you the best method for your situation.
To effectively prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), you need to prevent direct skin-to-skin contact and the exchange of bodily fluids. The only birth control that can do this is a condom.
You don’t need to visit a doctor for this method. Just swing by your local drugstore. For condoms to be most effective, they need to be the correct size so they stay in place.
The most effective forms of birth control are the ones that reduce the risk of human error. This makes the implant and IUD the most effective at preventing pregnancy.
If you feel uncomfortable with implanting something into your body, then other forms of hormonal birth control come in a close second — the ring, patch, and pill.
For ease of use, we chose the ones that have a set-it-and-forget-it approach. The implant and IUD require no effort on your part other than coming to see us here at Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care.
Dr. Lee either secures your matchstick-sized implant in your arm or places an IUD into your uterus. The implant slowly releases hormones and prevents pregnancy for up to four years, while the IUD continues to stay effective for 3-12 years, depending on the type.
So far, we’ve mentioned these three different methods as one, but they each have their pros and cons. Despite their drawbacks, these methods are popular. In the United States, 72% of women who practice contraception use the patch, pill, or ring.
The pill is one of the original methods of birth control, and you’ll easily get used to the routine of taking a pill every day. The downside is that you are tied to taking a pill every day at the same time of day. It’s a big deal if you miss a day, so keep this in mind when deciding if the pill is for you.
There are also many different hormone formulations of the pill. This means there may be some trial and error in figuring out which one is right for your body.
If the pill sounds like too much work, you could try the patch. You only need to change your patch once a week, except your period week. The downside is that you have a patch on your skin, all of the time. You may also develop skin irritations from the adhesive.
The ring offers even more convenience than the patch. It is one gel ring that you insert into your body and leave there for three weeks. You partner, though, may be able to feel it during intercourse.
There is also only one company that manufactures the ring, so you have just one option. This method is also the most expensive of the three.
Take ownership of your body and your future. Women today have the ability to choose the right birth control method for their lifestyle and body. If you are unsure of the right birth control method, we recommend you come to visit us at Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care.
Dr. Lee and the team will work with you to find the best method. Schedule your appointment today and give yourself some peace of mind.
