You might have various goals on your to-do list before starting a family, which is why you should discuss birth control options with your gynecologist. They will take your preferences, health, and other factors into account to help you choose suitable contraception. The following guide provides a bit of knowledge about the topic to help guide the conversation with your doctor.  

A Brief Guide to Birth Control

What are the common methods?

There are many birth control options, but birth control pills are one of the most commonly used. They're available with a combination of estrogen and progestin or progestin only. These hormones stop ovulation so that an egg is not released for sperm to fertilize. 

The transdermal contraceptive patch is also chosen quite frequently. It releases hormones through the skin to stop fertilization, while an implant is a method that utilizes a small rod inserted into the arm to release hormones.

Some women opt for an intrauterine device (IUD), a small, T-shaped instrument inserted in the uterus that stops sperm cells from reaching the egg. Still, others choose the Depo-Provera injection, a progestin shot that thickens cervical mucus, so sperm can't swim to the egg.  

What should I consider when deciding?

Ease of use, effectiveness, and how long you want to delay pregnancy are factors to consider when choosing a method. If you can remember to take the pill daily, it is 91 percent effective, as is the patch when replaced each week. The shot is administered every three months and is 94 percent effective, while the implant and IUD are low-maintenance options with a 99 percent effectiveness rate. The implant will work for up to five years, while an IUD stops pregnancy for three to 12 years.  

Should my partner still wear condoms?

None of the aforementioned methods is 100 percent effective. For this reason, you might still want to use condoms during intercourse to reduce further the odds of getting pregnant. Remember that birth control is not a form of STD prevention; however, condoms are—which is another reason to use them. 

What if I never want kids or don't want to have more?

There are permanent methods of preventing pregnancy, too. For example, during tubal ligation surgery, the fallopian tubes are altered so the sperm and egg can't reach each other. A vasectomy is performed on men, altering the channels that carry sperm so that the sperm will not be carried in the semen.

If you want to discuss the best birth control method for your lifestyle, reach out to the physicians at Women Gynecology & Childbirth Associates, P.C. in Rochester, NY. The practice has been a reputable provider of women's health services in Monroe County since 1989. Visit them online for a complete list of services, or call (585) 244-3430 to schedule an appointment.