There are many reasons why you may be looking into birth control, aside from preventing a pregnancy. You could be looking into birth control to help you cut down on your acne flare ups, or you could have another issue that could be helped with hormones. And, if you don’t want to get pregnant and want birth control for that reason, you can even find options that don’t have hormones. There are so many options, which can be overwhelming to some. Keep reading to learn about birth control, and determine which might work best for you.
What protects against STDs?
Let us stop you right there. Don’t confuse birth control with sex safe from STDs. You may be using birth control, but that doesn’t equal protection from disease. To reduce your risk of transmitting an STD, you will still want to use a barrier method (like a condom).
Will I gain weight?
Many women don’t gain weight when they take birth control, but everyone is different. Hormonal birth control can lead some women to gain a little weight, usually through fluid retention. It’s not pleasant, and can go away after a time. If you’ve experienced weight gain in the past, try a non-hormonal method if you’re concerned about weight gain and the pill.
What kind of options are there?
If you’d rather not have to remember to take a pill every day, you still have a lot of options to choose from. A diaphragm, an implant, condoms, or even an IUD can all be great for people who prefer a different method. We all have different preferences, and there are many options that can suit your lifestyle best.
Is there a temporary option?
Generally, birth control can have delayed effects, especially the hormonal kind. If you know you want to become pregnant in the next year or so, then you will probably prefer an option that does not take months to get your fertility back on track. Consider condoms, a non-hormonal IUD or a diaphragm.
If you want to learn more about birth control, call us today at 214-544-6600 to schedule a consultation.