Choosing the right birth control is a very personal process. At Georgia Center for Women, the OB/GYN team can help you understand the pros and cons of different options so you can settle on the right one for your family planning goals. Call the Atlanta, Emory, or Morrow, Georgia, location to learn more about your birth control options.
When considering the type of birth control that’s right for you, consider a number of things, including:
You should also consider if the type of birth control you’re considering is reversible and acceptable to your partner. Plus, if you have more than one partner, or your partner does, you should also look for a type of birth control that offers protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Dozens of birth control options are available. They generally fall into the following categories:
Barrier devices, such as condoms and the diaphragm, prevent sperm from meeting an egg.
Hormonal birth control pills and implants (Nexplanon®) interfere with ovulation.
The copper IUD or hormonal IUD affect the quality of your cervical mucus and alter the lining of the uterus.
Sterilization procedures, such as tubal ligation, make you infertile.
The rhythm method, which requires you to watch for signs of fertility, is a natural birth control approach.
The doctors at Georgia Center for Women can help you understand these options more in detail.
The only type of birth control that protects against sexually transmitted diseases are male and female condoms. Condoms aren’t the most reliable in preventing pregnancy, however, so using a condom along with the pill or an IUD offers protection against STIs and pregnancy.
IUDs and implantable hormonal devices are more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. These devices also offer the benefit of being easily reversible. You can become pregnant soon after they’re removed.
The pill and patch are 91% effective and require that you use them properly (such as taking the pill daily at the same time or changing the patch every three weeks), so they may be less convenient for some women. Condoms (male) are only 85% effective in preventing pregnancy.
To learn about your birth control options, call one of the offices of Georgia Center for Women or book an appointment using the online tool.