Top 5 Contraceptive Options for Women

Published on: October 4, 2017

There are many options available for women when it comes to preventing pregnancy. Choosing the right contraceptive option is dependent on several factors, including age, lifestyle, pregnancy plans and more. Here are five categories of contraceptives to discuss with your OB/GYN when deciding which birth control option is right for you.

  1. Oral contraceptives. Hormone oral contraceptives or “the pill” are one of the most popular options. Most oral contraceptives require you to take one pill a day, offering effective protection against pregnancy. However, there are side effects and health risks, especially for women over 35 and smokers.
  2. Intrauterine devices or IUDs are a long-term birth control that are placed inside the uterus. This can be a good option for women not planning a pregnancy in the next few years.
  3. Barrier birth control. Barrier contraceptives like condoms and diaphragms can protect against pregnancy but do not have the reliability of some of the other options. But, condoms are one of the best ways to stop the spread of STDs.
  4. Natural planning. There are natural options to plan for pregnancy without using hormones or other birth control. A OB/GYN can show you ways to determine when you are ovulating to either prevent pregnancy or to try to become pregnant.
  5. Tubal ligation. If you have decided that you do not want to ever become pregnant in the future, a permanent solution may be an option.

Each contraceptive option has pros and cons; there also may be many different types within each category. Talk to your gynecologists about your preferences. There are many variances in each category that can fit into your lifestyle.

Posted on behalf of
Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A.
699 Church Street #220
Marietta, GA 30060
(770) 422-8505

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