5 Benefits of Telehealth
Did you know that you can use telehealth to answer many questions or issues only an OB/GYN team can address? Take a moment to learn more about our telehealth services and how it can benefit you.
The good news is that you have many choices when it comes to birth control. The bad news is that with so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and have a tough time knowing which method is right for you.
At Alpenglow Gynecology in Littleton, Colorado, Rickie Guida, WHNP-BC, and our experienced care team specialize in helping women choose the right method of contraception for their health and lifestyle needs. We take time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and work with you to arrive at an informed, educated choice that works best for you.
Our team has curated this guide to help you navigate the decision-making process about birth control and choose the method that meets your needs. Read on to learn more!
At Alpenglow Gynecology, we understand that no two women are the same. That’s why our team wants you to take every factor into consideration, including your personal preferences and lifestyle, when choosing a method of birth control.
Rickie is happy to provide recommendations based on your health and any concerns you raise, but it’s essential for you to make the choice based on your wants and needs. Here are several key questions to consider when making your decision:
Even though we refer to them as birth control, contraceptives can offer more than protection against pregnancy. As you make your decision, be sure to think about what protections you want or need.
If preventing pregnancy comes first, the most effective forms of birth control, such as hormone-based methods like IUDs, patches, implants, or pills, could be the right choice for you.
But remember, hormone-based methods of birth control don’t offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you need a method that protects you against STDs, you must use a barrier method, like condoms, to minimize your risk of exposure.
It’s also important to separate a method’s effectiveness in laboratory settings from real-life effectiveness, since people don’t operate in laboratories. For example, under laboratory conditions, condoms are about 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, but only about 80% effective with actual use. Be sure to combine methods as necessary to get the best protection possible.
No matter how effective a method of birth control can be, it won’t work if you don’t use it. That’s why considering ease of use is an important part of the decision-making process.
Ask yourself honestly and openly about your ability and willingness to use different options. Be sure to think about the requirements for using them correctly. For example, you must take birth control pills at about the same time each day and you must use condoms every time you have sex.
If you know following through on these things will be a challenge for you, consider other options, like an IUD or implant, that can last for years with little action required on your end. Remember — the right birth control option for you is the one that works with your personality and lifestyle.
You may not want a baby now, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want children someday. If you think you’ll be starting your family soon, consider a birth control method that won’t interfere with your family-planning goals.
For example, some methods, like condoms, work only at the moment you use them. When you stop using these types of birth control methods, you can get pregnant immediately. With other types of contraceptives, such as those that use hormones, it may take months after you stop using them for your hormone levels to return to normal so you can become pregnant.
If your family is complete or if getting pregnant isn’t part of your future, sterilization provides a permanent form of birth control. Be sure to discuss this option with Rickie thoroughly since it’s not always possible to reverse sterilization if you change your mind.
Once you’ve thought about your answers to the above questions, you have many choices to consider for birth control. These choices include:
The compassionate team at Alpenglow Gynecology is happy to give you information about all available options, including permanent solutions, like sterilization. Rickie is happy to answer your questions and address any concerns that arise during the decision-making process.
At Alpenglow Gynecology, we help you navigate the many birth control options out there to find one that meets your unique needs. Contact Rickie Guida, WHNP- BC, and the team at Alpenglow Gynecology in Littleton, Colorado to schedule an appointment or book online now!
