Deciding to have a baby is an exciting time for any woman. However, today women have the freedom to choose the right time and age to have children. This is known as family planning when you plan to have children according to your convenient time and situation. Enjoying sexual pleasure and preventing unwanted pregnancy at the same time can go hand in hand. This is possible through birth control methods. Memorial City birth control experts work closely to find a birth control method that suits you best while keeping in mind your overall well-being.
Birth control
Birth control, also known as contraception, is any medicine, method, or device used to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. There are several options that you can choose from. The type of contraception used depends on your health, your desire to have children now or in the future, and your need to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. In addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control methods also help you manage gynecological conditions like endometriosis.
Types of Birth Control
Birth control only works when it is used correctly and consistently. Types of birth control include:
- Short-term hormonal birth control
- These include contraceptive pills, patches, or shots.
- These medications halt ovulation (release of the egg from the ovary) or prevent the sperm from reaching the egg for union (fertilization).
- Barrier methods
- Barrier methods are commonly used as condoms (used by males) and diaphragms (used by females).
- Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)
- These are implanted devices that are placed inside your uterus to stop ovulation, or they make it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg.
- Examples include:
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- T-shaped devices placed inside your uterus.
- Hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years.
- Non-hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy for 10 years or longer.
- Birth control implants.
- These are matchstick-like rods that contain hormones to halt ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus.
- Pregnancy can be prevented for up to 5 years.
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Sterilization
- It is a permanent, surgical method to blood the fallopian tubes to prevent an egg from reaching the sperm.
- These include:
- Salpingectomy: Removal of fallopian tubes
- Tubal ligation: Procedure to blood your fallopian tubes
- Vasectomy: Seals the tubes in the male reproductive system that carry sperm
Takeaway
It is essential you consult your healthcare professional before you opt for any birth control method. Your doctor can offer you the best method depending on the duration for which you want to prevent pregnancy and the presence of any gynecological condition. Your doctor can help you understand how each contraceptive method works as well as the efficiency, risks, and benefits of each.
