Choosing the Right Birth Control for You

Since the birth control pill was first approved in 1960, the field of contraceptives has exploded, making the search for the right choice that much more confusing. If you’re overwhelmed with the options, consider a visit to Eveskare in Frisco Texas. 

Board-certified OB/GYN Sridevi Panchamukhi, MD, and our team can help you find the method that best suits your lifestyle, while giving you reliable control over your family planning decisions. 

To start the conversation, we’ve prepared this summary of your birth control options.

Types of protection

Contraceptive choices can serve two goals. Preventing pregnancy is the most common, but some birth control methods also offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Not all methods can do both. 

When STD protection is a priority, both female and male condoms are popular choices. Condoms present a barrier to both sperm and STD pathogens. Used as directed, condoms limit skin-to-skin contact and exposure to vaginal fluids and semen.

Condoms are readily available without a prescription, and they’re the best defense against STDs. But they’re only about 87% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies, so 13 out of 100 women, on average, still get pregnant when using condoms as their only birth control method.

Reliability: the human factor

Every birth control option is only effective when you use it in a consistent and timely way. You must understand the commitment required behind each option to find the best fit for your lifestyle and personality.

Consider this overview of common birth control options:

• Condoms — must use every time you have intercourse
• Oral contraceptives — take at the same time each day
• Birth control patches — apply weekly
• Vaginal rings — insert into the vagina monthly
• Birth control shots — injections three months apart
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs) — lasts 3-10 years depending on the brand
• Nexplanon® — a rod implanted under the skin that releases hormones for up to three years
• Sterilization — permanent contraceptive options like tubal ligation and vasectomy

Because they remove the risk of human error, IUDs and Nexplanon prevent over 99% of unexpected pregnancies. 

Sterilization is typically reserved for those who are certain they want no further pregnancies. Sometimes, we can reverse sterilization, but it’s not guaranteed to be successful. 

All other birth control methods can be reversed if you decide to have children. Barrier methods like condoms are the simplest. IUDs require an office visit to remove, but depending on the type of device you may be able to get pregnant quickly. 

Birth control methods using hormones, such as the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, and some types of IUD, may take longer as your body’s hormone levels return to normal. 

When you’re ready to discuss your options with Dr. Panchamukhi, contact us at Eveskare, by phone or online, and book your appointment today.