Most women spend much of their lives using some form of birth control. If you don’t want to rely on an option like male condoms, you have plenty of choices to take this into your own hands.

Maybe you’ve been using the same kind of birth control for years. If it’s working for you, great. Sometimes, though, women stick with a method just because it’s what they’ve always used.

At Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd, Medha Amin, MD, FACOG, Ramya Narayanan, MD, FACOG, and Shamita Bansore, MD, FACOG, specialize in helping women find the correct form of birth control. Here are a few signs that indicate it's time to visit us in Downers Grove, Illinois, to explore making a change. 

1. You are experiencing unwelcome side effects

The main sign that you should re-evaluate your birth control lies in how it makes you feel. Different forms of birth control come with multiple side effects. Some women get headaches or nausea with the pill, for example. Others report worse menstrual cramps when using a non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD). 

Changing to a different kind of contraceptive can help you eliminate those unwanted side effects from your life. 

2. You wish your period was more manageable

Even if the physical sensations come from your menstrual cycle, not your birth control, you might be able to use a different contraceptive to help.

If you’re sick of heavy bleeding, for example, consider a hormonal IUD. Many women see their periods get lighter or stop altogether with this kind of birth control. 

3. You forget to use it

The pill has long been a leading form of birth control, but it requires daily maintenance.

We have options that require less frequent intervention, including:

• A patch that lasts one week
• A vaginal ring that lasts 3–5 weeks
• A shot that lasts 1–3 months 
• An IUD that can last five years or longer

A longer-lasting option may be best for less disruption in your daily life.

4. You do not want to get pregnant for some time

Maybe you’ve been taking the pill because you weren’t sure when you wanted to have kids. Now, you know it will be at least a few years until you try to get pregnant. If you want a birth control method that you can put in place and forget about for a while, you might consider switching to an IUD or the shot. 

5. You want to get pregnant soon

It takes time for certain forms of birth control to leave your system. For example, it typically takes months to get pregnant after stopping the birth control shot. Discuss your near-term pregnancy goals, and we can help you find the best option for you. 

You’re not stuck with the birth control you’ve always used. To explore your options and find what might work better for you, call Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd at 630-852-3762 or request an appointment online today.