June 12, 2024

What Kind of Birth Control is the Best?

Choosing the best birth control method is a personal decision that depends on your health, lifestyle, and reproductive goals. At the Women’s Center of Athens, we provide a variety of birth control options to help you find the method that works best for you. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding the different types of birth control available and how to choose the right one.

Types of Birth Control

1. Birth Control Pills

Description: Oral contraceptives are taken daily.
Effectiveness: About 93% effective with typical use.
Benefits: Regulates menstrual cycles, reduces cramps, and can improve acne.
Considerations: Requires daily adherence and may have side effects like nausea, weight gain, or mood changes (Planned Parenthood | Official Site).

2. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

Description: A healthcare provider inserts Small, T-shaped devices into the uterus. Available in hormonal (e.g., Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta) and non-hormonal (e.g., Paragard) types.
Effectiveness: Over 99% effective.
Benefits: Long-lasting (5-12 years), low maintenance, and reversible.
Considerations: May cause initial discomfort, spotting, or heavier periods with non-hormonal IUDs (Planned Parenthood | Official Site).

3. Implants

Description: A small rod placed under the skin of the upper arm that releases hormones.
Effectiveness: Over 99% effective.
Benefits: Long-lasting (3 years), low maintenance, does not require pelvic exam
Considerations: It can cause irregular bleeding and other hormonal side effects (Mayo Clinic).

4. Injectables (Depo-Provera)

Description: Hormonal injections are administered every three months.
Effectiveness: About 96% effective.
Benefits: Convenient quarterly administration.
Considerations: Can cause weight gain, bone density loss with long-term use, and delays in return to fertility after stopping (Planned Parenthood | Official Site) (Mayo Clinic).

5. Patches and Rings

Description: The patch is a sticky patch applied to the skin weekly, and the ring is a flexible ring inserted into the vagina monthly.
Effectiveness: About 93% effective.
Benefits: Regulates menstrual cycles and reduces cramps.
Considerations: Must be replaced regularly; can cause skin irritation (patch) or vaginal irritation (ring) (Planned Parenthood | Official Site).

6. Barrier Methods

Description: Includes condoms (male and female), diaphragms, and sponges.
Effectiveness: Varies, typically 79-87% effective.
Benefits: Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (condoms), no hormones.
Considerations: It must be used correctly every time, and some people may have allergies to materials (e.g., latex) (Planned Parenthood | Official Site).

7. Permanent Methods

Description: Includes tubal ligation (for women) and vasectomy (for men).
Effectiveness: Over 99% effective.
Benefits: Permanent solution, no ongoing maintenance.
Considerations: Irreversible; requires surgery (Planned Parenthood | Official Site) (Mayo Clinic).

Choosing the Right Birth Control

When choosing the best birth control method, consider the following factors:

Health Conditions:

Some health conditions may affect the suitability of specific birth control methods. For example, women with a history of blood clots may be advised against using hormonal methods containing estrogen.

Lifestyle and Convenience:

Consider how easy it is to use the method consistently. For instance, if you find it challenging to remember a daily pill, an IUD or implant might be a better option.

Side Effects:

Different methods have different side effects. Discuss these with your healthcare provider to find a method you can tolerate.

Side Effects:

Different methods have different side effects. Discuss these with your healthcare provider to find a method you can tolerate.

Future Reproductive Plans:

If you plan to have children, consider reversible methods. Permanent methods like sterilization are only suitable if you are sure you do not want more children.

Protection Against STIs:

Only barrier methods like condoms offer protection against sexually transmitted infections. If you are at risk of STIs, using condoms in addition to another birth control method is advisable (Mayo Clinic).

Consulting with Your Provider

Each woman’s body responds differently to various birth control methods. It may take trying a couple of different options before finding the one that works best for you. At the Women’s Center of Athens, we offer a range of birth control options, including IUDs, implants, pills, patches, rings, injections, barrier methods, tubal ligations and referrals for permanent solutions like vasectomy. Our providers will work with you to determine the best method based on your needs and preferences.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call us at 706-227-8999. Let’s find the proper birth control method for you together.

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Category:

Birth Control