What You Should Know About Contraception
Linda Dominguez, NP
Reproduced with permission from The Female Patient for the purpose of patient education.
| Choosing the right contraceptive is a decision that is important and special to you. You have unique needs right now and it is important that you find the best contraceptive method that will help you to meet those particular needs. Your contraceptive choice is one that will probably change over time, so don't be afraid to find out today what is new and what is still "tried and true". Page 1: What Many Women Say They Want Page 2: An Overview of the Most Highly Effective Methods Page 3: Matching What You Need from a Contraceptive Choice |
What Many Women Say They Want
You may have some questions or concerns about your choice of contraception but today's methods are very safe, highly effective, and most are easily reversible. You should also know that even being pregnant is not without some risk. In fact, there is more chance for illness or serious life-threatening complications with pregnancy than with the use of contraception. That is one of the reasons that planning a future pregnancy is so important. A planned pregnancy is more likely to have a safe and happy outcome for you and the baby. This is one of the most important choices you will ever make.
Menopause is another important time that you will be making important health choices. Your health and the quality of your daily life are impacted by the challenges and changes associated with the years just before, during, and after you cease to have periods. And just like the potential pregnancy risks in your earlier years, this "change of life" can also have some complications such as very heavy uterine bleeding that can be unpredictable and cause fatigue, and anemia associated with the blood loss -- not to mention that you may be at risk for an unintended pregnancy.
So what should you want and when should you want it in regard to your choice? You need a method that is highly effective, convenient, and discreet. You want your choice to have relatively few side effects; it should not interfere with sexual spontaneity and the needs of your sexual life and ideally, your partner should be informed and comfortable with the choice as well. In addition, you may need a method that is rapidly reversible so you can better plan and time a future pregnancy. You may want to use a method that is as highly effective as tubal sterilization and yet can be discontinued immediately if and when you want to become pregnant.
You may want a method that will "bridge over" from the end of your active childbearing years and through menopause. There are methods that can offer tremendous relief from heavy, frequent menstrual bleeding and the cramps and pain that occur in premenopause. You will need a progestin hormone to protect your uterus if you are taking estrogen treatment for hot flashes. Some women going through the transition of menopause are at the peak of their careers and have finished their active "hands on" child-rearing. This is a demanding and dynamic time of life with new choices and you do not have to be burdened with long and unpredictable heavy bleeding and pain. "Flooding" through a business meeting, suit, or a little league game is certainly not what you want, and there are safe and effective contraceptive and hormonal options that can help. Talk to your health care provider about what method or treatment will suit your special needs. The choices are yours to make.
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