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With So Many Contraception Options, How Can I Pick the Right One for Me?
Sex is a natural part of life, but you might not want to get pregnant as a result, and that’s okay. There are numerous types of contraceptives that can prevent an unwanted pregnancy without compromising your health.
At the OB/GYN practice of Dr. Hany H Ahmed, we offer our patients in Houston, Texas, contraception options customized for the individual. With so many to choose from, how do you know what’s best? Here, we break it down for you.
Birth control effectiveness
Birth control methods vary widely in their effectiveness and can fail for many reasons, such as incorrect use and failure of the drug, device, or method.
As a rule, methods intended for use at or near the time of intercourse (e.g., condoms, diaphragms) are less effective than those that work all the time (e.g., IUDs, implants, and birth control pills).
The methods with the lowest risk of failure, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the arm implant, have the lowest risk of failing because they’re the easiest to use correctly. If you worry about a failure or mistake on your part, you should consider these options.
The most effective method of birth control for you is the one you can use consistently and correctly. Ask yourself these questions:
- Is it convenient?
- Do I have to remember to use it, and if so, will I remember?
- Do I have to use/take it every day or at a specific time?
- Is this method reversible? Will it be hard to discontinue it if I want to?
- Will this method make my period heavier or lighter? Is it predictable?
- Are there side effects or potential complications?
- Can I afford this method?
- Does this method protect against sexually transmitted diseases?
- Can I get pregnant immediately after I stop using it?
Dr. Ahmed can advise you based on your medical history, but ultimately, your preferences and lifestyle dictate your choice.
Types of birth control
All birth control methods fall into one of two types: hormonal and barrier control.
Hormonal birth control
Hormonal birth control uses synthetic versions of estrogen and/or progestin to prevent pregnancy. The most common type is “the pill,” tablets you must take every day at the same time to be effective. There’s nothing complicated about a pill, but it’s easy to forget.
Hormonal birth control also comes in other forms: patches, vaginal rings, deep injections, implants, and IUDs. IUDs can be hormonal or copper-based; copper is a natural spermicide.
Some of these options contain both estrogen and a form of progestin; some are progestin-only for women who can’t take estrogen products (i.e., those with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer).
Barrier birth control
Barrier contraceptives prevent sperm from entering the uterus and include the condom, diaphragm, and cervical cap.
The external (male) condom is a thin, flexible sheath placed over the penis to prevent semen from entering the partner's body.
Many people using another method of birth control (e.g., pills) also use condoms to decrease the risk of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). External condoms can also be used during anal sex to lower the risk of STIs.
The internal (female) condom sits mostly inside the vagina to prevent semen from entering. It’s a prelubricated sheath where one ring-shaped part remains inside the vagina while a second ring-shaped part remains outside.
The diaphragm and cervical cap fit over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. Unlike condoms, they require fitting by a clinician. They must also be used with a spermicide and left in place for 6-8 hours after sex.
Spermicides are chemical substances that destroy sperm. They come in various forms and are available at a pharmacy without a prescription.
Overwhelmed by the number of contraception options available? Find out what’s best for you by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Ahmed. Call us at 713-489-0991 or request an appointment online today.
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