3 Mistakes To Avoid With Contraception

Despite all of the available information about contraception, people still make mistakes when it comes to picking and using the right one. Mistakes with contraception can prove costly and can have a long-term impact on your life. If you are currently using contraceptives, here are some mistakes to avoid to ensure you get the most from your protection.

You Are Inconsistent

When you take oral contraceptives, consistency is important. Oral contraceptives work by maintaining certain levels of hormones in your system. When your hormone levels increase, the ovary gets the signal to release an egg. However, when you take oral contraceptives, your estrogen levels remain consistent and do not increase, which means no release of the egg.

Without the release of the egg, there is no fertilization or pregnancy. Unfortunately, if you are not taking your birth control as directed, your estrogen levels can fluctuate and an egg could be released. If that occurs, the egg could be fertilized.

If you are having trouble with remembering to take your birth control on a regular basis, talk to your OB/GYN about switching to another form of contraception, such as the medroxyprogesterone injection.

You Are Using a Medication That Interferes With Your Birth Control

Some medications, such as anti-seizure medications, can impact the effectiveness of your birth control. The medications can interfere with the birth control and impact its ability to prevent pregnancy.

If you are on the medication temporarily, your OB/GYN might recommend using a backup method of birth control until you are finished taking it. However, if the medication is going to be used on a long-term basis, your doctor might recommend switching to another form of birth control.

You Forget the Emergency Contraceptive

Even if you are careful with your contraceptive, accidents can happen. For instance, the condom can break and lead to an unwanted pregnancy. It is because of this, you need to ensure that you have a plan for an emergency contraceptive.

You can purchase emergency contraceptives, such as the morning-after pill, at a pharmacy without the need for a prescription. The sooner you take action following unprotected sex, the more effective it is. To ensure that you have the protection you need, consider purchasing a morning-after pill to store at home.

Consult with your OB/GYN (like those at Mile High OB GYN) to determine whether or not you are making any other mistakes with your contraception. The more you know about it, the better you can protect yourself.