When you’re sexually active, but not yet ready to have children or are finished having children, birth control aids in family planning, so you don’t end up with a surprise pregnancy. At Alpha OBGYN in Alpharetta and Cumming, Georgia, Dr. Sowmya Reddy and her team offer various temporary and permanent birth control options to give you the peace of mind you deserve. Call to learn more, or book an appointment online today.
Birth control is a method used to prevent pregnancy and works in various ways to:
- Prevent eggs from being released
- Prevent sperm from getting to the eggs
- Prevent egg implantation within the uterus
Some birth control methods are temporary and allow you to have children in the future, while others are permanent.
What are the different types of birth control?
Dr. Reddy talks with you to determine which birth control method best matches your needs based on your individual situation and preferences. Numerous birth control methods are available from which to choose, such as:
Barrier methods
A barrier birth control method is something you do each time you have sexual intercourse, such as using a condom, diaphragm, sponge, or cervical cap.
Birth control pills
Numerous birth control pills, which are oral pills you take regularly, are available as well. Conventional birth control pills cause you to have a period every month, while continuous dosing pills cause periods four times yearly or not at all. Dr. Reddy lets you know which birth control pill is most appropriate for you.
Additional short-acting birth control
In addition to traditional birth control pills, other short-acting birth control options include mini birth control pills, patches, and vaginal rings. These methods slowly release hormones into your body to prevent pregnancy.
Long-acting, reversible birth control
If you don’t want to become pregnant any time soon, but want to have children someday, long-acting reversible birth control may be a good option for you. Some women prefer this method because of its ease of use, as you don’t have to remember to take pills, and it can last several years or longer. Examples of long-acting birth control include:
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Injections
Dr. Reddy inserts an IUD into your uterus to continuously release hormones and prevent pregnancy. Removing these devices allows you to get pregnant soon afterward.
Permanent birth control
Permanent birth control methods for women are minimally invasive surgical procedures that alter your reproductive system in some way. Tubal ligation and tubal occlusion prevent your eggs from traveling down the Fallopian tube, and a hysterectomy is a procedure that removes your uterus.
Which birth control option is right for me?
Dr. Reddy and her staff work with you to determine which birth control option best matches your needs based on whether you want to have children in the future, your preferences, and which options is the most comfortable for you.
Call Alpha OBGYN to learn more about birth control options, or use the online scheduling tool today.