“What is the best kind of birth control?” This is a question we hear commonly from women we see in our office. With so many available birth control options, it’s understandable why some women might have a difficult time choosing the right birth control option for them. However, the word “best” is relative in this scenario. The truth is, the best method of birth control is whichever one is most able to accommodate your health needs and lifestyle. Here at Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett, we currently offer eight different kinds of birth control and we will continue to add new ones as they become available. To help sift through your options, our gynecological healthcare providers have taken some time to answer common questions about the various methods of birth control available.
Question #1: What is the first step that I should take when trying to determine the most appropriate birth control option for me?
The first step a woman should take when choosing between birth control options is determining if she wants short-term birth control like birth control pills or a long-term option like an IUD (intrauterine devices). Once that decision is made, you can begin to narrow down your choice based on your preference for hormone-based birth control or non-hormonal barrier options.
Question #2: What lifestyle factors should I consider when making my birth control decision?
There are several factors that we recommend all women consider when selecting a birth control method. For instance, do you have an irregular daily schedule? Are you someone who has difficulty remembering to take medications every day? How important is ease-of-use or convenience to your birth control experience? How often are you sexually active? Do you have a single sexual partner? Are you currently taking any other medications that may affect your birth control? We discuss these factors and more in-detail during all birth control consultations.
Question #3: What are the advantages of long-term birth control?
For women who prefer not to take a pill every day or those who don’t want to think about birth control every time they have sexual intercourse, long-acting birth control can be an excellent solution. However, there are a number of different types of long-acting birth control methods that each have their own unique pros and cons. These options include IUDs, birth control implants, the Depo-Provera shot, and NuvaRing®. All of these methods can be removed if you decide that you are ready to try to get pregnant or no longer want to use a particular form of birth control. We also provide female sterilization methods for women who are 100% sure they do not wish to become pregnant in the future.
We hope you found these answers helpful. It’s important to do your research before meeting with your board-certified gynecologist in order to select the birth control method that makes sense for your current needs. Remember that once your choice is made, it doesn’t mean that you cannot change your mind about your preferred method of birth control in the future. For more information on birth control or to request an appointment, please contact Dr. Kristine Gould at Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett today. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional tips, news, and updates on our upcoming health and wellness events.
