Knowing what contraception form works best for you is vital when minimizing your risk of getting unplanned pregnancies. Family planning in McAllen is far beyond contraception forms. Planning for your family entails understanding the benefits of spacing your kids and what the break does in rejuvenating your body. The process allows you and your partner to create a family that suits your financial budget and enhances your personal goals and dreams. As a result, you will need to work with your healthcare provider to know which method best works for you.
How do you choose a contraception form?
Choosing the best family planning option to suit your needs might be challenging, thanks to the various options to choose from. However, your gynecologist might advise you to stick to a method you will use consistently without bothersome side effects. Besides the possible side effects, other factors you may consider include:
- Convenience
- Efficacy
- Its impact on your menstrual flow
- How fast you will regain fertility after you stop using it
- Duration of use
- Possible side effects and their frequency
No contraception is 100% effective. Therefore, your healthcare provider will take you through every form’s advantages and disadvantages before narrowing on the option that will best work out for you.
Possible options that do not involve lifestyle changes
You do not necessarily need to take, block, wear or implant anything to prevent the egg and sperm from meeting. The options your healthcare provider might suggest include:
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Abstinence
For you to conceive, your partner’s sperm has to meet your egg. However, when you do not have sex, fertilization will not take place. Abstinence is effective in couples who commit not to engage in vaginal sexual intercourse.
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Outercourse
Though it is almost impossible to conceive with anal sex, you might get pregnant when sperm moves closer to your vaginal canal. However, P-in-V penetration should be off-limits if you want to minimize your risks of getting pregnant.
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Fertility awareness methods
Fertility awareness methods or rhythm methods entail tracking your cycle and signs and abstaining on the specific days you are most fertile. The low-risk methods are a great way to know more about yourself. However, FAM has a significant failure rate, especially if you are looking for a long-term solution.
However, there are need-to-use options your doctor may advise when the need arises. They include:
Condoms
Condoms can either be internal or external. The hormone pouches will significantly decrease your risk of pregnancy and protect you against STIs. While the internal condom puts you in control of your body, the external condom will trap any fluid coming from the penis, including semen and pre-ejaculation. The best part with condoms is that they are the only contraception forms that will minimize STI transmission.
Sponge
The non-latex plastic disc saturated with spermicide will effectively prevent sperm from swimming to your uterus. Besides blocking sperm, the sponge will kill sperm that attempts to go through it.
Diaphragm
The reusable birth control form functions similarly to the sponge. They both act as your cervix’s bodyguard, preventing sperm from sipping through. However, you have to saturate the silicone disc with spermicide before inserting it inside your vagina.
Contact your gynecologist to learn more about how you can avoid getting unexpected pregnancies.
