Choosing a Method of Birth Control

You have just given birth to a beautiful bundle of joy. Though you love that child with every ounce of your being, you have decided to hold off on another one for now, or that this child is it for you. Regardless of whether or not this is your first child, or tenth, you need to choose a method of birth control, but have no idea where to start. This article will cover multiple facets of choosing a birth control method, and subsequent articles will detail each method.

First, you should become aware of all the available prescription methods. Aside from periodic abstinence, fertility awareness methods, and sterilization (which will not be discussed), there is the pill you take daily. If you cannot remember to take the pill, or have a history of stroke and/or heart attack, it may not be for you. There are several variations of the pill that will be discussed in a later article. Then, there is the patch. Lately there has been some fuss about this on the market, so I am not sure if it is still available, but you place the patch on your body and wear it for a week. The Nuva-Ring is similar to the patch, except it is a ring (that reminds me of a glow stick) that you fold up and insert, wear for three weeks, and remove for a week so you can menstruate. Depo-Provera is a shot, administered in a doctor's office four times a year, which has been known to either increase menstrual flow, or stop it all together. Weight gain, though a side effect of all hormonal birth control, in my experience was the worst with the Depo-Provera injection. Lastly, there is the intrauterine contraceptive/device that comes in two forms. A plastic device uses the same hormones as the pill in lower amounts that gives you coverage for 5 years, and must be inserted by a professional. If you are looking for a method that doesn't rely on hormones, but you're not brave enough to try the fertility awareness method, then you may want to look at the copper intrauterine device, which operates the same way as the hormonal one, except without the use of hormones, allows it to be in place for up to ten years.

Secondly, you must determine your goals. If you want to be able to conceive quickly after stopping the birth control method, then the shot is not for you. If you have not decided that it will be awhile between children, then the intrauterine contraceptive devices may not be for you either. They can be removed as easily as they are inserted, and at anytime, but are really more for long-term protection.

Of course be sure to factor in things like your overall health, the number of partners you have, the number of children you have/want, how effective the method is against preventing pregnancy, how frequently you have intercourse, potential side effects, and your comfort level with using it.

Research each of your options, and once you determine what you think will be the best for your goals, ask around to people you know and learn about their experiences. Learn brand names, and go to their websites to get the patient information or make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options. Learn as much as you can about each method before making a choice, and realize that every woman is different when listening to first person accounts of experiences with each method.

Next article in this series will cover all the aspects of oral contraceptives.