How do I choose the right contraception?
Contraception helps you take charge of your fertility, freeing you to pursue your goals. With the right contraception, you can decide when to start a family, how to space your children or avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
There are so many forms of birth control today, the choices may feel overwhelming. The team at Oahu OB/GYN are experts in contraception. They help you select the right method of contraception, depending on your:
- Health
- Desire to have children now or in the future
- Need to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Risks and side effects
- Comfortableness using the method
You want to think about these factors and others when you choose a contraceptive method. Your provider at Oahu OB/GYN is here to answer any questions you have about contraception.
What are my options for hormonal contraception?
There are many choices of hormonal birth control methods, ranging from daily pills to long-lasting intrauterine devices (IUD). These methods allow you to avoid pregnancy in a variety of ways, including preventing ovulation and thickening your cervical mucus to block sperm from reaching an egg.
Your options for hormonal contraception include:
Birth control pills
Birth control pills typically contain estrogen and progestin. A pill with just progestin is known as a “mini pill.”
Injections and implants
Contraceptive injections contain progestin and the team at Oahu OB/GYN administers them once every three months. For the implant, your practitioner inserts it into your upper arm where it releases hormones over three years.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
IUDs are close to 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Hormonal IUDs last for 3-5 years.
Vaginal rings
A vaginal ring is a circle of flexible plastic that remains in your vagina for three weeks at a time. The ring has a failure rate of less than 2% with perfect use.
What is non-hormonal birth control?
Non-hormonal methods include copper IUDs, which are effective for up to 10 years. Other options include:
- Male condoms
- Female condoms
- Cervical cap
- Diaphragm
Male and female condoms are the only birth control methods that offer protection against STDs.
What are my choices for permanent contraception?
Tubal ligation is a permanent sterilization surgery for women that works by cutting or closing off their fallopian tubes. Sterilization is highly effective and is the most popular method of contraception globally. The team at Oahu OB/GYN may recommend performing tubal ligation through laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that requires just one or two tiny incisions.
For help with your contraceptive choices, call or book an appointment online with Oahu OB/GYN.
