Ready for Birth Control? Here's What You Should Know

With the many different birth control options available, choosing the best one for you can seem overwhelming. Board-certified OB/GYN Daniel S. Kushner, MD, and the team at his private practice in White Plains and Queens, New York, want you to be informed and confident about the method you choose. 

Schedule an appointment for personalized help choosing a contraceptive. In the meantime, read this comprehensive resource with questions to consider when choosing birth control and facts about some of the most popular methods.  

What do I need to think about when choosing birth control?

To get you thinking about which birth control method may be best for you, consider these three questions: 

Why should I use birth control? 

Birth control helps prevent pregnancy, but some contraceptives do much more. Some methods help prevent STDs, while others can reduce bleeding and cramps during your period.

Is pregnancy in my future?

Depending on your wishes for pregnancy, different birth control methods can suit your needs. If you want to have a child soon, for example, you may consider a birth control method that doesn’t affect your hormone levels.

Will this method fit into my lifestyle?

Take some time to think about how your chosen form of birth control will fit into your life, and consider your ability and willingness to use the different options correctly. For example, condoms only work if you use them every time you have sex. And you must take birth control pills around the same time every day. 

What do I need to know about the different contraceptives?

With so many different options to pick from, it can be confusing to know where to start! We’ve divided birth control into the different ways they prevent pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know: 

Lifestyle methods

This form of birth control involves making decisions to avoid getting pregnant rather than relying on a hormone or a barrier to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. These methods do not offer protection against STDs, and they vary in effectiveness:

• Withdrawal: Often called the pull-out method, withdrawal requires ejaculating away from the vagina and vulva and is up to 78% effective

• Fertility awareness: Also known as natural family planning or the rhythm method, this method requires tracking ovulation to avoid pregnancy and is 76%-88% effective

• Breastfeeding: For women who’ve recently had a child, nursing at least every 4 hours each day for the first six months after your baby is born can prevent ovulation and is up to 98% effective

Abstinence, or not having sexual intercourse, is also a lifestyle method and is the only way to ensure 100% protection from pregnancy. 

Barrier methods

These forms of birth control prevent sperm from reaching the egg. The barrier method includes options that may protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Options for the barrier method include: 

• Female condoms: up to 79% effective

• Male condoms: up to 85% effective 

• Cervical cap: 71%-86% effective 

• Sponges: 76%-88% effective 

• Diaphragm: up to 88% effective 

For barrier method forms of birth control to be effective, you must use them each time you have intercourse. 

Hormonal methods

The hormonal birth control methods interfere with your natural hormones to prevent ovulation. Varying types of hormonal birth control affect different hormones and have distinct ways of being administered. Popular hormonal birth control options are:

• Birth control pills: daily oral contraceptive with hormones, up to 91% effective 

• Birth control patch: estrogen- and progestin-containing patch changed weekly, up to 91% effective 

• Vaginal ring: estrogen- and progestin-based ring changed monthly, up to 91% effective

• Birth control shot: injection containing progestin every 3 months, up to 94% effective

• Intrauterine device (IUD): long-term (7-12 years) progestin-based or non-hormonal device inserted into your uterus, up to 99% effective 

• Birth control implant: long-term (up to 5 years) progestin-based implant, up to 99% effective

It’s important to note that hormonal birth control methods do not offer protection against STDs.

Permanent methods

Permanent birth control methods, also called sterilization, are meant to completely prevent pregnancy. These methods — which include tubal ligation and male vasectomy — are nearly 100% effective. 

If you want to learn more, or you’re ready to discuss the method you believe is right for you, schedule an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Kushner at the office nearest you.