There are over 72 million women in the United States who are now using some sort of birth control, and while the pill is a common approach, it is not the only available option. There is no one method of birth control that is universally considered to be superior to the others due to the fact that a woman’s individual health and preferences play a significant role in determining which method of birth control is best for her.
Family planning services are something that Dr. Ahmadinia, an OB-GYN at OBGYN High Desert, is delighted to provide for her patients. She also wants to help shed light on the different alternatives that are available to you so that you can discover a method that is suitable for both you and your family. In this article, we will discuss alternative methods of birth control to the pill.
Various Methods of Contraception
Every method of contraception can be classified as either reversible or permanent, depending on its nature.
Choices for Reversible Methods of Birth Control
Options for reversible birth control are effective in preventing conception for a limited time but have no long-term impact on fertility. These methods of contraception are highly recommended for women who:
- They are aware that they desire children but they just aren’t ready for them yet.
- They have not yet made a decision regarding whether or not their family is complete.
- Are done having children but do not want to get permanently sterilized
One can further classify reversible birth control methods as either short-acting or long-acting methods. It is necessary to take or administer birth control that has a short duration of effect on a regular (daily, weekly, or monthly) basis. This covers methods that provide a barrier, such as condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and sponges, as well as hormonal approaches, such as pills, vaginal rings, and patches.
Even if the strategies have a short-term payoff, using them properly requires consistent effort and attention. In other words, they are only dependable to the extent that you are reliable.
The fact that long-acting reversible birth control (LARC) techniques do not need to be maintained on a daily or weekly basis is one of the primary reasons why so many women choose LARCs to prevent pregnancy. These choices include birth control injections, intrauterine devices, and implantable contraceptives (IUDs).
Women whose schedules are always shifting and who find it difficult to remember to take a pill at the same time every day may discover that LARCs are a useful option for them. You may receive protection that lasts for several months or perhaps several years, depending on the option that you select. A birth control implant may provide protection for three to four years, whereas the birth control shot may require injections once every three months.
For example, the Nexplanon® implant is placed underneath the skin of the inner arm. This implant gradually delivers progestin over the course of three years to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus. IUDs have an even longer lifespan: copper IUDs can be used for up to 12 years, and hormonal IUDs can be used for anywhere between 3 and 7 years.
Choices for Permanent Methods of Birth Control
Permanent birth control cannot be undone, as may be inferred from its very name.
Tubal ligation is a method of permanent birth control that prevents unwanted pregnancies by obstructing the tubes through which embryos develop. If your fallopian tubes are tied or cut, sperm will be unable to reach an egg that is contained within one of your fallopian tubes. Given that fertilization takes place in the fallopian tube, this technique is a means of preventing pregnancy that is both successful and long-lasting.
Contact a Well Respected OBGYN
The method of birth control that is most suitable for you will be determined by a number of aspects, such as your overall health, your personal preferences, how soon or if at all you’d like to have a family, and whether or not you currently have a full family.
Make an appointment at our clinic in the High Desert to discuss the various methods of contraception that are available to you.
