It’s a defining moment in one’s life when seeking contraceptives for the first time. Whether it’s for the obvious reasons or maybe the not-so obvious, choosing the right one can be intimidating. It’s always important to weigh your options, and that’s why our Mt. Auburn OBGYN team wants to help bring a little more insight to your choice.
So where should we begin? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions asked by most women when beginning their search.
How many types of birth control are there?
According to Plannedparenthood.com there are 18 different ways to prevent pregnancy with contraceptives. Although we agree that all are worthy to note, we’re here to get down to the nitty-gritty of the most popular and most effective types for women.
The Pill vs. IUD
As we learned above, there are several options of birth control. From the Vaginal Ring to “The Shot”, they certainly offer a wide-variety for decision-making. However, if this were a popularity contest, there are two front runners that are vastly different but come highly recommended by other women. The Pill and The IUD.
Is one better than the other? This depends on what you’re looking for. When you’re seeking the most effective route (which we assume this to be the case for most), The implant andthe IUD have been proven to be 99% effective, where recent studies have shown that the pill is 91% effective. However this is sometimes due to what we like to call “user error”, meaning that the pill can produce 99% effectiveness, but does not if you don’t take it every day as suggested.
High Maintenance vs. Low Maintenance
When determining which birth control is best for you, this is something you might also want to take into consideration. Everyone is busy one way or another, but when making this potential life-altering decision you should first ask yourself if your schedule and lifestyle will allow you to remember to take the pill every day or if you would be better off with something you don’t really have to think much about. The Birth Control Implant and IUD both have the perk of being low-maintenance. Once inserted, these two methods require no follow-up or maintenance for 5-10 years.
The birth control shot comes in third for low-maintenance. It’s a quick shot which last up to three months at a time. The birth control vaginal ring needs replacement monthly, while to patch requires weekly attention.
Last, the pill of course is a daily routine and is only effective when taken properly. For more information on the pill, check out our blog: Everything You Need to Know about The Pill.
What are the side effects of birth control?
This study by The University of Michigan Health offers a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of each birth control, including the side effects.
It’s important to understand your body and hormone level as well as medical conditions and history when deciding on birth control. Other things to take into consideration: what stage of life you’re in, whether you wish to eventually have kids (again or at all), your sexual history and also your preference based on your current lifestyle. These can all play a factor when determining side effects such as weight gain, depression, and any medical risks.
What birth control is best for me?
Each person’s medical history and medical conditions are different. The only way to determine which method will best suit your needs is to consult with your OBGYN. At Mt. Auburn OBGYN we examine our patient’s needs, lifestyle and history to advise which method will be the most effective and health-conscience for them.
If you’re looking for an OBGYN in the Cincinnati area or seeking further guidance on choosing a birth control method, call us at 513-241-4774, or schedule your appointment.