Which Birth Control Is Right for You?

Birth control can help you plan your future family or prevent a pregnancy. But which type of birth control is right for you?

At The Women's Center at Life Point Medical, we know that selecting a birth control method is a very personal decision. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the birth control method that best fits your needs.

What are my options for birth control? 

These are the most common birth control methods:

• Pills 
• Implants 
• Injections 
• Patches 
• Condoms
• Vaginal rings
• Sponges
• Cervical caps and diaphragms
• Intrauterine device (IUD)

Finding the method that works best for you depends on your lifestyle, medical history, present health, and family plans.

How do these birth control methods work?

The job of birth control is to prevent pregnancy until you’re ready to add to your family. Here’s how the different birth control methods work:

Birth control that acts like a barrier 

Barrier methods, like condoms, sponges, diaphragms, and cervical caps, prevent the sperm and egg from meeting. You will have to insert barriers each time you have sexual intercourse (or have your sexual partner put on the male condom). Out of all the barrier methods, only condoms help protect you against sexually transmitted diseases.

Birth control that releases hormones

Birth control pills, implants, patches, vaginal rings, and injections release hormones to help prevent pregnancy. 

Timing is important when using hormonal birth control. You must remember to take pills every day, apply a new patch the same day each week, change the vaginal ring every three weeks, and schedule your injections every 12 weeks. 

Long-lasting birth control

A birth control implant is a thin piece of plastic that’s inserted under your skin on your upper arm. It also releases hormones but lasts longer than the other hormonal methods of birth control. 

An intrauterine device (IUD) is another option if you’re looking for a birth control method that you won’t have to think about every day, week, or time you have sex. Hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs are available. 

Which type of birth control should you try?

That depends on when or if you plan to become pregnant.

If you choose a barrier method, you could plan for a pregnancy at any time. When you’re ready to get pregnant, just stop using the barrier.

If you rely on hormonal birth control, like pills and patches, it likely will take longer to become pregnant after you stop using the medication. 

If you don’t want to become pregnant for years, an IUD or implant might be right for you. When you want to start a family, you can have the device removed.

Get the birth control that works best for you

Our team is happy to discuss your family planning goals and customize a birth control plan that will fit your needs. If you want to change your current birth control method, we can help you make that transition, too.

To schedule an appointment at The Women's Center at Life Point Medical, call 706-250-7306