Birth control/contraception employs devices, medicine, surgery, or techniques such as withdrawal to prevent pregnancy. Nonetheless, contraception does much more than pregnancy prevention, especially following the method used. For instance, condoms help prevent pregnancy and STDs, making them ideal for individuals who are not in monogamous relationships. While beneficial, contraception can be overwhelming, especially considering the many options. Seeking professional birth control Lake Mary services can help you make a more informed decision, making it easier to select a method best suited for your situation and needs. Here is a glance at some factors that can help you choose an ideal birth control method.
Age
What are your age, health history, and reproductive goals? The factor mainly touches on the impact of the method on your reproductive health. For instance, if you are at a young age and healthy pregnancy and STD prevention may be the only concerns. While avoiding unwanted pregnancy, you also want to remain fertile, especially if your reproductive goals include conceiving. This means you would be best suited to reversible but not permanent contraception methods.
When considering your health history, you may be looking at a contraception method that can help with conditions such as painful menstrual cycles. Moreover, you also need to avoid methods that may cause more health issues. For instance, if you are a smoker, over 35 years, and battling certain health conditions, some hormone-based contraception may not be ideal. This is because they put you at an increasingly high risk of concerns such as heart disease. If you have a history of cancer (breast/uterine), blood clots, or liver disease, it would be best to consult a professional before taking hormone-containing contraceptives.
Side effects
Contraception, more so using hormone-based options, can cause certain side effects. Knowing this beforehand can help you avoid such options, especially considering their impacts on your overall wellness and quality of life. Common side effects include:
- Breast tenderness
- Cramping
- Weight gain
- Nausea
- Heavy periods or bleeding between periods
- Depression, to name a few
If the side effects are not tolerable, your contraception quests can cause significant worries, adversely affecting your life.
Convenience
Birth control is only as effective as your efforts. For instance, pills work best if you take them as required. If taking a pill – daily is inconvenient, such an option may not be ideal. If you are forgetful, travel a lot, or deal with a demanding schedule, more convenient contraception, such as shots, may be the better option.
Situation
Are you in a monogamous relationship and only working to avoid pregnancy? Your situation significantly informs the birth control method to adopt. For instance, if you are exclusive, non-barrier contraception such as IUDs, pills, and patches are adequate. However, if you have multiple partners, the barrier method is better. Consistently using condoms will help avoid pregnancy and protect you against STDs.
While weighing different contraception methods, looking beyond the financial implication is advised. Seeking professional assistance is also recommended, helping you learn more about each method and choose the best fit, not based on myths and beliefs. Visit or call Christopher Quinsey, MD, for more on birth control.