If you’re sexually active and want to prevent pregnancy, it’s essential to find the right birth control for your personal needs. Your gynecologist will discuss the various products they offer and which is most suited to your lifestyle, but it helps to understand your options before deciding. With numerous varieties of birth control on the market, consider this guide when making your selection.

3 Common Types of Contraceptives

1. Long-Acting Contraceptives

If you know you don’t want to get pregnant for an extended period, a long-acting contraceptive may be the right option for you. A hormonal implant typically works for four years and is a thin, match-stick-sized rod that is inserted by your gynecologist into the upper arm. It then releases the hormone progestin into the body, which thickens cervical mucus and stops ovulation. Once placed, a hormonal implant will be 99-percent effective against pregnancy.

2. Short-Acting Hormone Products

If you know you will be trying to conceive within the next year, consider a short-acting contraceptive like birth control pills, a patch, or the vaginal ring. These products provide conception prevention but can be stopped if you decide you would like to become pregnant. When used correctly, the birth control pill is proven to be 99.9-percent effective in preventing pregnancy. The patch is 99-percent effective when directions are followed, and the vaginal ring is 98-percent effective.

3. Barrier Methods

If you’re unsure about your plans to conceive, there are also non-hormonal, barrier options you can use like condoms or cervical caps. These methods prevent pregnancy by blocking the sperm from reaching an egg to fertilize. Condoms are proven to be 98-percent effective when properly used, while cervical caps are considered to be 88-percent effective for women who have never given birth.

Remember, your gynecologist will discuss the pros and cons of each of these methods with you in detail to help you make the best decision for your needs.

For superior OB-GYN services in New London County, CT, visit the professionals at Thameside ObGyn Centre. Whether you’re considering birth control options and need more information to make an educated decision or require prenatal care, the gynecologists at Thameside ObGyn Centre have the knowledge and compassion needed to provide top-notch women’s health services. To learn more about this gynecology practice, visit their website or call (860) 445-5107.