If your family is complete or you’d like to space out your pregnancies, you’re likely exploring your contraceptive options.
When most people think of birth control, they think of “the pill.” But there’s no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to contraception. Whether you’re looking for something hormonal or nonhormonal, long-term or on-demand, we have many options available at Westover Hills Women's Health.
Here, our team of midwives and OB/GYNs shares the contraceptive options beyond the pill and how to determine which one is right for you.
Hormonal contraception works by regulating or stopping ovulation. Without ovulation, you can’t conceive. These methods can also help manage menstrual cramps, acne, and heavy bleeding.
Birth control pills fit into this category, but other options include:
These deliver hormones through your skin or vaginal tissue, and you only need to change them weekly or monthly.
You can get birth control injections every three months. Used as recommended, this method is 99% effective, but it does rely on you staying current with your injections every 12 weeks.
IUDs are tiny devices we place in your uterus that prevent pregnancy for 3-8 years, depending on the type. The hormonal versions release a progestin hormone called levonorgestrel. This hormone prevents pregnancy by:
If you’re not interested in hormonal contraception but still want an IUD, you might consider a copper IUD.
If you prefer to avoid hormones, you still have highly effective options.
As we mentioned, the copper IUD can do what hormonal IUDs do but without the use of hormones. It provides up to 10 years of pregnancy prevention and can be removed anytime if you want to conceive.
Condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps are on-demand methods that block sperm from reaching the egg. You might consider barrier methods if you want a short-term or easily reversible option.
But these methods tend to have a higher rate of user error, so use your chosen type exactly as intended. Condoms have a typical success rate of 85%. That means 15% of women engaged in intercourse using condoms may get pregnant.
You might also consider a barrier method with another type of birth control. For example, condoms help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) while an IUD doesn’t, so you get more protection by combining the two methods.
Fertility awareness methods (FAMs) involve tracking your menstrual cycle and avoiding unprotected sex during your most fertile days. These methods rely on identifying signs of ovulation, such as changes in your basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and hormone levels (often measured with ovulation test strips).
There are several structured approaches to fertility awareness, including the Marquette Method, Billings Ovulation Method, and Creighton Model, each offering specific techniques and levels of support.
When used correctly and consistently, fertility awareness methods can be up to 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. The Marquette Method, for example, is about 97% accurate (2.8 unintended births out of 100 women). Without perfect use, the failure rate is about 22%, so do your homework before starting this method.
Fertility awareness methods rely on abstinence (or barrier methods) during fertility periods.
If you want set-it-and-forget-it birth control, LARC options like IUDs and the Nexplanon® implant (a small rod placed in your arm) are over 99% effective and reversible. They’re ideal if you want long-term protection without the daily routine.
For women who are certain they don’t want future pregnancies, tubal ligation (commonly known as getting your tubes tied) is a safe and permanent solution.
If your partner would rather undergo a procedure, a vasectomy is another permanent birth control solution.
The best contraceptive is the one that fits your health needs, comfort level, and future family planning goals. During your visit, we review your medical history, discuss your priorities, and help you choose a method that works best for you.
We take a lot into account, including whether you’re breastfeeding, whether you need an easily reversible option, or whether you’d rather focus on long-term pregnancy prevention.
Schedule an appointment at any of our Westover Hills Women’s Health locations in San Antonio, Texas, today to explore your options and find the birth control method that fits your lifestyle. Simply, call or click to get started.
