The Benefits of HRT for Menopausal Symptoms
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the benchmark treatment for the uncomfortable symptoms that arise as you approach menopause. Here’s how it can help.
Which Contraceptive Is Right For Me?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by all of the contraceptive choices available? With options from pills to patches to implants, choosing the right contraceptive may not be easy. At Progressive Women’s Health, Asia Mohsin, MD, and our experienced team specialize in providing personalized care to women in Friendswood, Texas.
Dr. Mohsin takes time to get to know and understand her patients’ concerns and needs. She can help you make an informed, educated choice about the contraceptive that’s right for you.
Our team put together this guide to provide you with the information you need as you navigate the many birth control options.
Questions to ask when choosing contraception
At Progressive Women’s Health, we know that different women have different needs. It’s essential to take into account your lifestyle and unique preferences when choosing a contraceptive. If you visit Dr. Mohsin, she’ll consider your medical history, current health, and lifestyle factors when providing recommendations, but ultimately the choice is yours.
Here are three important questions to ask when making your contraceptive decision:
1. What kind of protection do I need?
While contraceptives can protect you from pregnancy, they also play an important role in protecting you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Considering what kind of protection you need is important as you make your contraceptive decision.
Is your priority protecting yourself against pregnancy? You might want to consider the most effective forms of birth control. These include hormone-based options, such as birth control pills, injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, and patches.
Are you concerned about STDS? You’ll need a method that provides a barrier, like condoms, to limit your risk of contracting an STD. Although condoms are about 98% effective in preventing pregnancy in laboratory settings, you don’t have sex in a lab. Male and female condoms are only about 80% effective in real-life conditions, so be sure to talk with Dr. Mohsin about adding a second contraceptive with condoms to avoid pregnancy.
2. Will this contraceptive be easy for me to use?
No birth control method works if you don’t use it. That’s why thinking about the ease of use of different contraceptives is important. Think honestly about your capacity and willingness to use different contraceptives. Furthermore, think about if you’re willing to use them correctly.
Options like birth control pills need to be taken around the same time each day to be the most effective, and condoms must be used every time you have intercourse. Consider whether these are things you can commit to. Other options, such as IUDs, require a trip to Dr. Mohsin’s office, but they work for years.
There are no right or wrong answers. The right contraceptive is the one that works best for you. By carefully and honestly assessing the likelihood that you’ll use certain methods the right way, you’ll be on the path to a good decision. Be sure to discuss your questions or concerns with Dr. Mohsin. She has years of experience helping women of all backgrounds find the best birth control method for them.
3. Are children in my future and when?
You may not want a baby right now, but you might want to start a family in the future. Thinking about family planning is helpful when choosing a contraceptive. For example, if kids are in the near future, it makes sense to pick a method that won’t interfere with your fertility.
If you choose a contraceptive with hormones, you might need to wait for months to become pregnant, because your hormone levels will need to normalize after you stop taking the contraceptive. Other options, on the other hand, will only work at the time of use, like condoms. If you don’t use them, you might become pregnant right away.
Not planning to get pregnant in the future? Permanent forms of birth control, like sterilization, provide a permanent contraceptive solution. But since restoring fertility if you change your mind isn’t guaranteed, it’s important to discuss this option thoroughly with Dr. Mohsin.
What kinds of contraceptives are available?
After you’ve thought about your answers to these important questions, it’s time to discuss your options with Dr. Mohsin. You have many choices when it comes to contraception, including:
- Combination birth control pills
- Mini birth control pills
- Birth control patch
- Vaginal ring
- Birth control injections
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Male and female condoms
- Sterilization
Dr. Mohsin will provide you with information on all of your options and answer any questions or concerns you may have. She’ll help you find an option that works for you.
At Progressive Women’s Health, we’re dedicated to helping you find the contraceptive that fits your unique lifestyle and personality. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone today.
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