More than half of all pregnancies are unplanned. You might not think it will occur to you, but you might realize it when it’s too late. Of course, you might welcome an unintended pregnancy, but you are more likely to have a healthy pregnancy with effective birth control.
If you want to wait for the right time to get pregnant, an OBGYN Charleston can help with comprehensive birth control options to suit your needs. Various birth control methods have been proven very effective in helping sexually active women avoid unwanted pregnancies. But which one is best for you? Read on!
Long-Term Reversible Birth Control
This is a good option if you are looking for long-lasting birth control without much maintenance. One option involves placing an IUD in your uterus. Hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy for three to five years, while copper IUD prevents you from getting pregnant for up to ten years.
Also, implants are an effective birth control option that keeps you from getting pregnant for up to three years. The implants use progestin, but unlike a hormonal IUD placed in your uterus, the implant is inserted under the skin of your upper arm.
One-Time Barrier Contraception
Barrier birth control methods prevent the sperm from fertilizing the ova. Examples of these methods include sponges, diaphragms, condoms, and cervical caps. They each function differently, creating a barrier that physically prevents sperm from reaching the egg.
Barrier contraception methods don’t need a prescription and are readily available in local and online stores. Also, condoms are the only birth control option that protects against sexually transmittable diseases. You must remember to use barrier birth control methods during sexual intercourse.
Short-Acting Birth Control
Oral Contraceptives are birth control pills that you take daily to prevent pregnancy. Most contraceptive pills have the hormone progestin and estrogen to prevent ovulation. You can also get an injection that remains effective for three months.
Another option is vaginal rings. This birth control option involves wearing a vaginal ring for three weeks, then taking it off for a week to have your period. You will then wear a new ring for the next three weeks. Like the vaginal ring, you can get a birth control patch for three weeks with a week off before wearing a new patch.
Emergency Contraception
If you have sex without birth control or the birth control option fails, emergency contraception can help. One type of pill is the ‘Plan B,’ which can prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after sex. ‘Ella is a more effective emergency pill that can prevent pregnancy up to five days after sex.
Remember that emergency contraception should not be your primary birth control method. You should only use it as a backup if something does not go as planned. Regardless of your preferred method, it would be best to use emergency contraception as soon as possible to be most effective.
Permanent Contraception
If you don’t want to get pregnant again, permanent contraception options are available. Salpingectomy or tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men are simple, minimally invasive surgical procedures that make pregnancy impossible.
During a tubal ligation, your fallopian tubes get tired, cut, and sealed to prevent the ova from reaching the uterus. On the other hand, salpingectomy involves removing the fallopian tubes. This has an added advantage as it reduces ovarian cancer by up to 50%.
Abstinence is the only birth control option that is a hundred percent effective in preventing pregnancy. However, all the listed birth control methods have excellent success rates. Consistency is vital regardless of the kind of birth control you opt for.
The right choice of birth control depends on your preference, lifestyle, and health. It will also depend on whether you want to have or not have kids in the future. To know the best birth control method, you should consult a gynecologist. You will have peace of mind knowing you are protected from unwanted pregnancy.