What Are My Birth Control Options?

Not ready for a baby, more babies, or any babies ever? There are a variety of birth control options available to you to help you, depending on your health history, life stage, and preferences.  

While the good news is that there are many options available, the bad news, for some, is that the numerous choices may make choosing the right birth control method overwhelming. We can help. 

At Mira Women’s Health & Midwifery in Boca Raton, Florida, board-certified OB/GYNs Kenneth Konsker, MD, and Emily Woodbury, MD, and our knowledgeable women’s health team can educate you about your options and help you choose the best birth control method for you. Here, we explain how each option works and things to consider when choosing that method. 

Short-acting hormonal birth control

Short-acting birth control options that use hormones to prevent ovulation and changes to your uterus and cervix include birth control pills (the pill), birth control patches (the patch), vaginal rings, and birth control shots. You must take the pill daily, change your patch weekly, change the ring monthly, and get a shot every three months. 

These forms of birth control are most effective if you use them as directed. They are good choices if you don’t want to get pregnant soon, but may want to eventually.

Long-acting reversible birth control

Long-acting reversible birth control (LARC) options are implantable devices. They can last 3-10 years, depending on your choice. 

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small T-shaped devices inserted into your uterus to prevent sperm from fertilizing your eggs. 

IUDs are available in copper (without hormones) or with hormones. 

And lastly, the birth control implant is a thin, tiny rod implanted into your arm that releases the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. LARCs are considered more effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies than short-acting methods. 

Barrier methods

Barrier birth control methods include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges. You must apply these methods before you have sex, every time you have sex. They are good options for those who can’t or prefer not to use hormones but have a higher rate of unwanted pregnancies, about 15%, than the previously mentioned methods. 

Additionally, condoms can also prevent STDs, making them a good choice for people who are not in a monogamous relationship. 

Permanent birth control

If you don’t want children or don’t want any more children, sterilization, also called tubal ligation or “getting your tubes tied,” is a permanent, 99% effective method to prevent pregnancy. 

During this surgical procedure, your doctor ties or blocks your fallopian tubes, preventing sperm from traveling to your egg. For men, a vasectomy is also permanent birth control.

Lastly, you can prevent pregnancy through fertility awareness, which involves tracking your menstrual cycle so you know when you are more or less likely to become pregnant. Call Mira Women’s Health & Midwifery or make an appointment online to get help choosing the best birth control method for you.

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