As you grow older and become sexually active, you need to start considering a couple of things. Still, opting for the best method of birth control for teens is probably among the first steps you should take.
Even if you might feel concerned and shy regarding the topic, looking for options for birth control in Palm Beach doesn’t have to be a complex and daunting process.
Learn everything you want to know about birth control from this article.
Do I Need Birth Control?
What doctor prescribes birth control? When you think of a gynecologist, birth control may not immediately come to mind. Whether you are a college graduate or a young teen, making a birth control appointment can be a daunting experience.
You may be wondering about many details, like what the doctor prescribes birth control and what is available for me and my lifestyle. The great news is that you are thinking about these things, and that is a proactive and responsible first step.
If you have questions about what they do at a birth control appointment, look no further. As a practicing obstetric team with years of experience, we’ve seen and heard it all. You can rest assured that those who are committed to providing personalized women’s health care are here to give comprehensive and top-quality services as your partners in your health journey.
We are not here to judge. Our primary concern is your health. It’s important to remember that you can get pregnant anytime you have vaginal sex. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time. So if you are considering having sex soon or already engaged in it and aren’t trying to get pregnant, you may want to get birth control. There are many options available, including recommended options for birth control for teens. Depending on what you choose to use, some are more effective than others, and some can help improve acne, PMS, cramps, or regulate your period.
What Are My Birth Control Options?
There are many options available, and it’s a good idea to be educated on them. Depending on your comfort level, lifestyle, and medical history, your doctor will be alongside you to pick the best one. Until then, familiarizing yourself with your options will give you a better idea of what course of action you should take in preventing an unplanned pregnancy:
- Condoms – This is the most common and recommended form of birth control. Two male and female condoms are available and work the same way. The male condom consists of latex and or plastic and generates a barrier, so semen doesn’t enter a woman’s vagina. The female condom is shaped like a tube and lubricated with a pliable ring at both ends with a similar end result.
- Sponges, diaphragms, and cervical caps – The sponge is a tiny donut-formed device covered with spermicide and implanted into the vagina. A diaphragm is a small reusable rubber or silicone cup. A cervical cap is snugly placed over the cervix and custom-built by your doctor’s office throughout the pelvic exam.
- Spermicides – When these devices acquaint with the cervix, they both block and kill the sperm. You can find these in jellies, foams, and suppositories in numerous convenience stores.
- LARCS – Many advances in women’s health have allowed women to make long-term family planning even more accessible with durable reversible contraceptives, also called LARCS. These come in the form of IUDs, implants, and injections. IUDs or intrauterine devices like Mirena, ParaGard, and Skyla are T-shaped devices composed of plastic or copper and placed in the uterus for five to ten years. Other options include hormonal implants that are placed in the upper arm beneath the skin. Injections like Depo – Provera are administered by a doctor every few months.
- Pills – Also a common and popular option, birth control pills are 99% effective when taken properly. You can choose from those that will allow you to menstruate or those that reduce your menstrual cycle. Women who are breastfeeding may choose to take mini-pills that contain only progestin, no estrogen.
- Emergency contraception – Also known as the “morning-after pill,” this option is meant to be used after five days of sex. A well-known version of this pill needs a double dose of hormone taken every 12 hours. This is now also available at your nearest convenience store.
- Sterilization – A more drastic and permanent option is sterilization. This is when a woman decides to undergo surgery for the tubal ligation in which the fallopian tubes are burned or sealed shut. The male version of this is known as a vasectomy, where the vas deferens are cut and sealed, preventing semen from being expelled.
- Abstinence – We all know that no form of pregnancy prevention is 100% foolproof. Refraining from sex is the only way to 100% pregnancy prevention and the most recommended birth control for teens.
What Do They Do at a Birth Control Appointment?
Typically, you won’t need a full exam for birth control. However, if you haven’t had one and are sexually active, your gynecologist may recommend one. Your doctor will make birth control recommendations based on your overall health, the kind of birth control you want, and policy. You can expect your doctor to fully discuss your medical history with you and check your blood pressure. They may do a pelvic exam, but it is not necessary.
Next, the doctor or nurse may ask about your sex life. These questions will include whether you’ve had sex, what kind of sex, how many partners you’ve had, if you are currently in a monogamous relationship and if you’ve used birth control before. Although disclosing this information may be uncomfortable, the more honest you are with your answers, the better the care your doctor can provide you.
At the same time, you should have a few questions of your own. It may be a good idea to ask your doctor about IUD and implant options since these are the easiest and best options.
Always Ask a Professional
Only a doctor can make the best recommendations for you based on your health and lifestyle factors and how your body may react to birth control. A medical history that includes smoking, blood clots, or other prescription medications you may be taking can all have an impact on your chosen birth control method and body. If you are a young woman in your teens, know that your privacy may be protected by certain laws or doctor’s policies.
Often, many laws are in place to protect teens from receiving birth control and prevention. However, we recommend that you have open discussions with your parents. If you forget to take your birth control, there are emergency options available at your local drug store without a prescription. No need to panic. It’s important to get this as soon as possible and at least within the first five days after sex.
Book Your Appointment Today
Do you have to go to a gynecologist for birth control? You should see a gynecologist for the types of birth control that work best and for the long term like IUD, implant, injections, patch, or ring. If you have health insurance, your doctor will evaluate what you are covered for and recommend the best options.
We provided many services outside of birth control that include gynecological examinations and procedures, hormone replacement therapy, and STD testing. If you’re looking for a seasoned gynecologist to help with your family planning options, look no further.