Choosing the Right Birth Control for Your Lifestyle

About 65% of American women ages of 19-45 use at least one form of birth control. These products can provide peace of mind and prevent unplanned pregnancy, but no two are exactly alike. For that reason, it’s important to select an option that aligns with your lifestyle, health history, and needs. 

At Beverly Hills Medical Institute in Los Angeles, California, family medicine doctor Shaghayegh “Sherri” Tavassoli, DO, regularly helps women of all ages with family planning.  Read on for simple tips to help you choose the right contraceptive for your needs. 

Consider your lifestyle and goals

There are many factors to consider when selecting a birth control method. For example, are you so busy that you often forget to take your daily medications? Or do you hope to get pregnant soon, just not right now? What about hormones? Are you sensitive to their fluctuations?

Asking yourself these and other related questions can make the decision easier. For instance, if you’re always on the go, an intrauterine device (IUD) eliminates the hassle of taking an oral contraceptive at the same time each day. 

Similarly, using condoms can prevent pregnancy now, but make it easy to start a family when you're ready.

The goal is to go with an option that’s convenient and supportive of your unique health history.

An overview of common birth control options

There are many birth control options. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Hormonal methods

These contraceptive methods use hormones like estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. They’re about 91% effective with typical use, but you need to take them at the same time each day, which can be challenging, depending on your lifestyle. 

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)

LARCs include IUDs (hormonal and copper) and contraceptive implants, small hormone-releasing rods inserted beneath your skin. These products make it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg and are effective about 99% of the time.

Barrier methods

Condoms and vaginal dams are examples of barrier contraceptives. These methods don’t contain any hormones, making them a good option for people with hormonal sensitivities, and they can also help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Permanent birth control

If you have no desire to start a family or you have intense periods that make it difficult to function, you might benefit from a permanent birth control method, like tubal ligation. This outpatient procedure blocks or cuts off the fallopian tubes, preventing eggs from reaching your uterus.

Natural methods

If you’d prefer to avoid hormones, insertable devices, and surgery, natural methods like withdrawal or fertility tracking may be an option. But these approaches aren’t very reliable and carry a higher risk of pregnancy.

Talk to your healthcare provider

With so many options from which to choose, it can be difficult to know which birth control method is right for you. Fortunately, Dr. Tavassoli can ease some of that pressure. With over a decade of experience, she can help you navigate potential side effects, health conditions, and insurance coverage. 

It’s a shared decision-making process that prioritizes your individual needs while providing peace of mind.

Schedule a birth control consultation today

Contact us if you’re interested in exploring your birth control options. Call our office in Los Angeles, California, or book your appointment online.