Contraceptive Education
There are a number of contraceptive options available, and not all options are available or appropriate for every person. We believe that a shared decision-making approach to contraceptive counseling allows clients and their providers to make health care decisions together that take into account the best scientific evidence, as well as clients’ values and preferences. Our goal is to support you, so that you can make informed and appropriate decisions for yourself.
Family planning services include providing contraception to clients who want to prevent pregnancy or space the birth of their children. If you want to prevent pregnancy, Laramie Reproductive Health Clinic’s providers will help you decide on the best birth control method for you.
What is Birth Control?
Birth control, also known as contraception, is any method used to prevent pregnancy. There’s several types of contraception with some being more effective than others. The type of contraception you use will depend on multiple factors including your overall health, your desire to have children in the future, and your need preventing sexually transmitted infections (STI).
Methods
- Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) – These include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal implants. Your provider will insert these once, and they typically last for 5 to 7 years.
- Short Acting Hormonal Contraception – Your provider can prescribe you birth control that you must remember to take every day or month, these include pills, patches, injections, or a vaginal ring.
- Barrier Methods – These are a form of contraception you must remember every time you have sex. They include condoms, diaphragms, sponges, and cervical caps. They are often used with spermicide.
- Sterilization – This method of birth control, hysterectomy or vasectomy, permanently prevents pregnancy through a medical procedure.
- Natural Rhythm – Rather than utilize a type of birth control, this method avoids having sex on days you may most likely become pregnant.
What’s Most Effective?
Statistics show that IUDs, sterilization, and implants tend to have the least amount of failures. However, it is important to remember that even the “best” forms of contraception can fail and to take other factors into account when choosing a birth control method. Other factors include but are not limited to:
- When do you want to get pregnant? (sooner, later, or never)
- What are the prevention statistics? You can find more information here
- Possible side effects and your current overall health.
- How often you have sex and how many partners you have.
- Your personal comfort level with each method.
Other Benefits
While the primary function of birth control is to prevent pregnancy, there are several other benefits that come with contraception. Most individuals experience more regulated periods, relieved painful cramps, and clearer skin. Birth control can also aid with Endometriosis symptoms, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and can prevent ovarian cysts. Talk with your provider about which method is best for you and your needs outside of preventing pregnancy.
References:
Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Birth Control Options & Types: Risks & Effectiveness. [online] Available at: <https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11427-birth-control-options#:~:text=The%20IUD%20is%20close%20to,heavy%20periods%20in%20some%20women.> [Accessed 28 July 2022].
Womenshealth.gov. 2022. Birth control methods | Office on Women’s Health. [online] Available at: <https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods> [Accessed 28 July 2022].
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. Reproductive Health. [online] Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm#Contraceptive-Effectiveness> [Accessed 28 July 2022].
Johnson, T., 2022. Other Benefits of Birth Control. [online] WebMD. Available at: <https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/other-benefits-birth-control> [Accessed 28 July 2022].