Birth control allows you to try and prevent an unintended pregnancy and regulate your menstrual cycle. An OBGYN can suggest birth control measures that reduce menstrual pain and help you manage certain high-risk diseases, such as ovarian cysts. Here are some tips that can help you select the right birth control method for you:
Assess Health Needs
Ask an OBGYN to review your medical history and help you identify any existing conditions. The doctor might use a combination of your history and tests to determine if you have any allergies that will interfere with the birth control methods. Past pregnancies and recent weight changes also affect your birth control options. Your doctor will check your blood pressure and ask questions to determine the pattern of your menstrual cycle. They will also evaluate your smoking habits and your surgical history when recommending different contraceptive choices. If you have hormonal sensitivity or a family history of breast cancer, include that in the decision-making process. Your doctor may also complete tests to find out if you are at risk of clotting or if you have any thyroid issues. Both of these can affect your choice of birth control options.
Determine Effectiveness
On your own or with your doctor, research the reliability of each method and know the success and failure rates. The doctor should explain each option’s user dependency rate for complete transparency about the effectiveness of each contraceptive method. During your visit, there will be options for either hormonal or non-hormonal birth control. Ask for vasectomy statistics and review the success of female hormonal arm implants. You could also compare the reliability of the patch versus different ring and injection options. Health professionals can provide information about withdrawal efficacy and help you analyze spermicide usage. Condom success rates could also be taken into consideration when exploring methods. If you are breastfeeding, ask about the impact of birth control on your ability to breastfeed.
Think About Convenience
Determine how much time you will need to set aside for birth control and if that is acceptable for your daily routines. Partner involvement, storage needs, and removal requirements of each method should be evaluated. The application ease varies from one method to another, and some methods require no maintenance at all. Review travel compatibility and explore the duration length of each method. You also need to talk to your doctor about user independence and customizable options. If you want to keep your birth control private, ask about discrete choices. Discuss with a doctor about the impact of each option on your physical activities and whether it will interfere with your lifestyle habits.
Plan for the Future
If you have a partner, discuss your family goals and if you need to preserve your fertility. Determine if the reason for birth control is to space out pregnancies or plan for life changes. Talk about any long-term needs and whether the chosen birth control option is reversible. If you want something more permanent, discuss that with your partner. Ask your OBGYN how aging will affect your fertility and if you need to explore menstrual suppression. You should also check if the chosen method has any impact on your feature health. Other things to consider are how the chosen birth control option might affect your career goals and physical weight management. Determine with your doctor how you will regularly assess the effectiveness of the birth control method in the future.
Consult an OBGYN
A professional can discuss your fertility goals and assess how your current health condition impacts your birth control options. They will offer personalized advice on how to schedule medical appointments and discuss the various methods of birth control. They should also help you plan for follow-up care and explore all solutions. Contact an OBGYN who can help you plan your pregnancy.