Having a baby when you’re ready is one of the most rewarding and joyful experiences life can offer. If you want to wait for the right time to conceive, Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. of South Charleston, West Virginia, can help. OB/GYN Kiran Patel, MD, family medicine practitioner Leela Patel, MD, and their team provide comprehensive birth control options to suit every patient’s needs, including Liletta® and Paragard® IUDs and Nexplanon® contraceptive implants. Call Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. today to find out more, or schedule a consultation using the online form.

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What is birth control?

Birth control or contraception is an approach to reproduction that allows you to decide when and if you want to have children, rather than letting nature take its course.

Choosing the birth control method that’s right for you enables you to live your life to the fullest without the worry of an unplanned pregnancy.

What methods of birth control are available?

There are two main approaches to birth control:

Barrier methods of birth control

To fertilize your egg, a sperm has to get into your uterus. Blocking access is a simple but effective way of preventing conception.

Barrier methods of contraception include:

  • Female condoms
  • Diaphragm or cap
  • Sponge
  • Male condoms

A major benefit of the male condom is that it offers significant protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Barrier methods are even more effective if you use spermicide with them.

Hormonal methods of birth control

Hormonal methods of birth control don’t block access between the sperm and egg. Instead, they change the balance of female sex hormones in your body to stop conception from taking place.

Hormonal birth control options include:

  • Estrogen-and-progesterone pill
  • Progesterone-only pill
  • Contraceptive implant
  • Hormone injection
  • Birth control patch
  • Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring
  • Hormonal IUD (intrauterine device)

The team at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. offers a wide range of birth control options, including Liletta® IUDs for women who’ve already had children and Nexplanon® implants that provide up to three years of contraception.

They also offer Paragard® IUD insertion. Instead of hormones, this type of IUD uses copper, which damages any sperm entering your uterus to prevent pregnancy.

If you prefer not to use medications or devices, the providers can also counsel you on natural methods of birth control.

Which method of birth control is the best?

No single method of birth control is the best because so much depends on your circumstances. If you’re at a stage when you might want to stop your birth control and try for a baby, oral contraception could be ideal. On the other hand, if you aren’t very good at remembering to take pills, then an implant or IUD might be better.

The Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. team discuss all the options in detail to help you make a choice that suits your needs.

If you’re sure you won’t ever want to become pregnant in the future, you could opt for sterilization. In a procedure called tubal ligation, your OB/GYN ties off your fallopian tubes so sperm and egg can’t meet.

To make an appointment to discuss your ideal method of birth control, call Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. today, or book an appointment online.