Are you a woman who is having trouble deciding what method of birth control would be best suited for you? You are not alone. Many women struggle with figuring out which birth control method is best for them. There are a lot of different birth control methods available today and it can be difficult to choose which one will fit you and your lifestyle. You should discuss birth control with your OB/GYN provider, but you can also put some time into researching and educating yourself about the different types of birth control available before you speak with your healthcare provider. It is best to go into the conversion with some information, knowing your preferences, and considering your medical history.
Currently, there are several birth control methods available on the market, including
- Copper IUD
- Hormonal IUD
- Implant
- Sterilization
- Shots
- Pills
- Patch
- Rings
- Diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge
- Condoms
- Spermicide
Each birth control method has pros, cons, time considerations, effectiveness, health history considerations, and possible side effects that must be considered. Most of these methods require a prescription, while a few such as condoms and spermicide are available over the counter without a prescription.
A good resource to start your research is the Harvard Health Birth Control Center. This site presents birth control methods and helps you narrow down your options by choosing your priorities and any health considerations which could affect your birth control choices. You can choose what is important to you such as reliability, spontaneous sex, long-lasting, easily-reversed, STD prevention, no hormones, no prescription need, safe for breastfeeding, and privacy. You can choose health considerations such as a history of conditions such as breast cancer, liver disease, heavy menstrual bleeding, seizure medication use, smoking, blood clots, and more. The site provides basic information on each type of birth control method such as its effectiveness, STD protection, and how long it lasts. It is a great resource to explore to gain knowledge on your birth control options and preferences, before speaking with your OB/GYN healthcare provider.