Birth Control Specialist

What are the different types of birth control available?

Due to the many methods of birth control that are available, it can be overwhelming to navigate them all. Many popular forms of birth control use hormones to halt ovulation or thicken your cervical mucus. This makes it impossible for the sperm to reach the egg. Popular forms of hormonal birth control include: 

• Birth control pills and patches
• Vaginal rings, such as NuvaRingⓇ
• Injections, such as Depo-ProveraⓇ
• Implants, such as NexplanonⓇ
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs) including MirenaⓇ and ParagardⓇ

Barrier methods of birth control, such as condoms or a diaphragm, are other options that don’t alter your hormones but require effort on your part. If you feel your family is complete, you may opt for a tubal ligation — a surgical and irreversible form of birth control.

Some women opt for fertility awareness methods of birth control that require monitoring your cycle and quality of cervical mucus to avoid intercourse on your most fertile days. This is the least reliable method of birth control, but an option if you prefer not to use an external method.

How do I know which birth control method is for me?

Ask yourself about your lifestyle, family goals, and personal beliefs when considering birth control options. Dr. Petr can help you understand how each method may affect your health, especially if you have any chronic conditions.

Review the reliability and reversibility of each method. For example, implants such as IUDs are more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy and are completely reversible — as soon as the uterine implant is removed, you can try to conceive.

When contemplating birth control methods, don’t forget to consider what’s most convenient for your lifestyle. Can you remember to take a daily pill? Do you want a method that you remove and implant at will? Is it realistic to make appointments for monthly injections? 

Your sex life is also something to take into account. Do you have multiple partners or are you in a mutually monogamous relationship? This answer influences which method of birth control is right for you, too. If you’re not in a mutually monogamous relationship, you’ll want to use a reliable method to prevent pregnancy, such as the pill, along with condoms to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. 

Christopher Petr, M.D, helps you ask the right questions when it comes to birth control and obtain an effective method for you. When you’re ready, give the office a call book an appointment online.