The most common reason patients get hormonal birth control is to avoid pregnancy. However, this is not the only purpose hormonal birth control serves. Physicians recommend hormone birth control to women with other reproductive health concerns like menstruation relief and elimination of menopausal symptoms that may be hindering comfort. It is essential to seek the advice of specialized physicians who understand the effects of birth control and thus use different procedures to determine patient candidacy for specific Memorial City birth control techniques.
Although you might be desperate for a solution to your reproductive concerns, you should understand the significance of physician intervention. Patients can only access birth control medications upon receiving a doctor’s prescription.
What are the different forms of hormonal-based contraceptives?
Physicians recommend various forms of hormonal birth control depending on a patient’s desired needs. Although most hormonal birth control techniques are efficient in their performance, patients respond differently to introducing additional hormones into the body. The following are the most popular forms of birth control:
- Pill: These oral contraceptives are of various brands. Different brands incorporate different hormones in their birth control pills. You may switch to another brand if you experience adverse side effects that make your experience unbearable. Physicians advise patients to take medicine every day for successful pregnancy prevention.
- Patch: This form of birth control also requires frequent changes. A physician will place the patch on the skin, which delivers progestin or estrogen into the bloodstream for patients to feel the effect. It is necessary to replace the patch at least once a week to guarantee desired outcomes.
- Ring: The great thing about the ring is its reliability. A physician will insert a birth control ring into your reproductive system for your vaginal lining to absorb the included hormones.
- Depo-Provera: Physicians advise patients to visit the hospital every three months to get their birth control shot that includes only progestin hormone for pregnancy prevention.
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs): There are different types of IUDs. Your care provider will select the ideal type for you depending on the desired outcomes you hope to achieve. IUDs can last from there to ten years, depending on the type. These devices deliver progestin and estrogen directly into the bloodstream via the uterus.
- Implant: Physicians place birth control implants into the skin on the upper arm. Patients select the type of implant they want depending on how long they want to avoid getting pregnant.
Side effects of hormonal birth control
Patients should conduct comprehensive research on the various birth control options available to appreciate expected side effects and thus determine if the medication is worth it. Some of the most common side effects of birth control that patients report include:
- Appetite changes
- Mood changes
- Reduced acne
- Weight fluctuations
- Blood clotting
- Vaginal irritation
- Migraines
Patients should consult with a specialist before starting birth control. Contact Memorial Women’s Specialists to determine your candidacy for the hormonal birth control options available and choose the one that aligns with your goals.