Responsible practices during sex can affect your life. When you consult with Total Women's Care, Dr. Vonne Jones can inform you about your contraceptive options and the best ways to use them. Guidance from your trusted gynecologist in Houston, TX, can help prevent an unwelcome pregnancy.

What Are Your Contraceptive Options?

The most common options are male condoms, but there are also female ones. Female condoms are partially inserted into the vagina. Spermicides kill sperm cells and come in the form of a cream, jelly, foam, suppository, or sponge. Birth control pills interfere with ovulation as long as you take them regularly.

A contraceptive patch sticks to the skin and releases hormones into the bloodstream for three weeks. According to Very Well Health, this option has a 91% effectiveness rate.

Before sex, a woman can insert a diaphragm or cervical cap into the vagina to block sperm. IUD is another vaginal insertion method that can stay in place until your gynecologist in Houston, TX, removes it. A copper one can work for up to 10 years with a 99% effective rate, according to ACOG.

Why You Should Consult with Your Gynecologist in Houston, TX, About Correct Usage

 A condom can break when you don’t put it on properly. The one time you fail to use it can create a pregnancy. You should understand how to properly insert contraceptives, such as diaphragms or spermicides, to ensure you properly block sperm.

Anyone relying on birth control must stay on schedule, as daily usage is imperative to affecting hormones. You should take them at the same time every day to improve the rate of their effectiveness. With perfect usage, birth control can be 99% effective at avoiding contraception, according to NIH.

During regular checkups with Dr. Jones, she can answer questions about current contraception and see if you should switch to another method. If you have inserted devices like IUDs or skin patches, she can ensure they are correctly placed. She can demonstrate how to insert other options like diaphragms or use spermicide.

Why They Matter Beyond Pregnancy Prevention

In addition to preventing pregnancy, some options like condoms also prevent the spread of STDs. From HIV to gonorrhea to chlamydia, you can prevent the spread of devastating diseases by using such barrier methods. Contraceptive use can be a sensitive topic. However, using the right method correctly can aid in health, avoid disease, and ensure you can prevent pregnancy before your household can manage it. Dr. Jones is your caring gynecologist in Houston, TX, at Total Women's Care who can educate you on this topic. Call us at 346-320-3188 for more information.