What should you consider before choosing birth control?
Before you decide on a birth control method, Dr. Weinstein reviews your medical history and performs a gynecologic exam to make sure you don’t have any health conditions that rule out a particular type of contraceptive. Then, he discusses other factors with you, such as your age and your plans for having children in the future.
Your family planning goals and lifestyle influence which birth control method may be the best for you. For example, if you plan to have children in the distant future, an intrauterine device (IUD) may be a good choice, because it’s inserted once and provides continuous birth control for years but can be easily removed.
What types of birth control are the most effective?
Dr. Weinstein fully explains your birth control options. Each method has different pros and cons, although one of the most important variables to consider is effectiveness:
- Intrauterine devices (IUD): nearly 100% effective
- Sterilization (vasectomy, tubal ligation): nearly 100% effective
- Hormones (pills, injection, pellets, ring, or patch): 91-94%
- Diaphragm: 88%
- Male condoms: 82%
- Female condoms: 79%
- Sponge: 76-88%
IUDs are just as effective as sterilization, yet they’re reversible because they’re easy to remove and you can safely become pregnant right after removal. Injectable birth control consists of hormones that prevent pregnancy for up to three months with just one shot.
The least effective birth control methods have low efficacy rates because they must be used consistently and correctly every time you have sex. All too often, couples simply forget to use a diaphragm or condom, which decreases their effectiveness.
Is there more to family planning than birth control?
While family planning is often synonymous with birth control, there’s another step to consider: planning to have a baby with a preconception examination.
The state of your health at the time you conceive can affect the health of your baby and increase your risk for problems during pregnancy.
Smoking cigarettes and chronic health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and being overweight can all lead to a high-risk pregnancy. When you plan ahead and schedule a preconception exam, Dr. Weinstein can identify any concerns and help treat problems so you’re in optimal health for pregnancy.
Please call Dr. Weinstein or book an appointment online if you need help with birth control or any other aspect of family planning.
