If you’re like many people, talking about your sex life and family planning is deeply personal, so discussing birth control can be embarrassing. At the same time, while sharing information with trusted friends could make the conversation more comfortable, what works for a friend still may not be the best choice for you.
Fortunately, Alexandra Pellicena, MD, FACOG understands the many options you have to blend a birth control method with your lifestyle, and gives you confidential advice based on the best medical information available. As an experienced gynecologist with a passion for research, Dr. Pellicena stays up to date on the latest developments so she can provide you with the tools you need to fit birth control easily and efficiently into your life.
The best birth control method for you depends on a balance of many criteria, including your medical history, body chemistry, general lifestyle, and family planning goals. Every method has pros and cons, and it’s important to blend these into your life as naturally as you can.
When you meet with Dr. Pellicena, it helps to have a general idea about birth control options available to you. There’s no need to be exam-ready on the subject, but you would benefit from knowing about the various types of birth control and their comparative levels of effectiveness at preventing pregnancy.
There are plenty of misconceptions about birth control methods, some dating back decades, so it’s good to not only choose reliable medical sources to gather your information, but also to confirm your understanding with Dr. Pellicena so that she can guide you in making the right choice.
Providing Dr. Pellicena with an honest picture of your lifestyle and family planning goals may feel uncomfortable but it’s in your own best interest that she has an understanding of your personal situation in order to provide the best possible advice.
There’s also no judgment in the exam room, so be honest about uncomfortable topics like your sexual history and preferences. These, too, complete the data set necessary for a medically sound recommendation.
Don’t forget to discuss your future goals for family planning. It’s more than simply choosing permanent versus non-permanent methods. Your plans for timing a chosen pregnancy can be aided by your birth control choices.
It’s also important to include aspects of your health that you might not think are connected to reproduction. For example, women who suffer migraines with aura require different hormonal birth control chemistry to minimize the risk of stroke. Provide Dr. Pellicena with your medical history so that the birth control option considers the whole you.
Identify the questions you want answered about birth control and write them down. It’s easy to forget even the most important of these when you’re in a doctor’s office. While Dr. Pellicena’s compassionate manner puts most patients at ease, she welcomes the opportunity to answer all your questions.
In addition to specific advice about your preferred birth control options, make sure you understand how to use the methods you’re most interested in, including worst-case planning, such as what to do if you miss a pill or steps you can take if a condom fails.
Contact Alexandra Pellicena, MD FACOG to add an experienced gynecologist to your health care team. You can call our Houston office directly or request an appointment online. The best information available is waiting for you, so book a consultation today.
