Are you thinking of switching from condoms to hormonal birth control? Thinking of getting your IUD removed and getting a birth control ring like the NuvaRing?
No matter what shift you’d like to make, changing up your birth control is an important decision, and you’ll likely want to involve your partner.
The conversation around family planning methods can feel awkward and uncomfortable for some couples, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s go over some tips for talking to your partner about changing your birth control method.
Start With The Positives
Like so many things in life, it works well to start with the positives. Talk to your partner about why you want to change to a new birth control option, and tell them how the change is going to be a positive thing.
If you’ve been struggling with remembering to take your oral contraceptive pills, you may want to talk to your partner about why an IUD or birth control shot is a better option for you.
If you and your partner have been discussing having children soon, you may want to talk about removing your IUD and switching to condoms until you decide you’re ready.
If you’re experiencing adverse side effects from your birth control methods, talk to your partner about how this change will positively affect your life.
There’s a chance that specific types of birth control impact your hormones in a way that cause makes it difficult to function personally due to birth control side effects.
Luckily, there are various female contraceptive methods, including non-hormonal contraceptives, but it might take a trial and error approach to find the best birth control option that works for you.
Do Your Research
Your partner will likely have questions about the safety and effectiveness of your new birth control method. The more information you can give them, the better!
Remember that you’re the one who has already been thinking about this decision and doing the research, so it’s normal for your partner to be less informed about contraceptives for women.
Please keep an open mind when they ask questions and work together to discover the answers. It’s fine to admit you don’t know everything about the birth control method you’d like to try – it’s just essential that you’re willing to do the work to find more information.
Make sure your research on birth control for women is coming from trusted sources. While anecdotal stories from friends can be helpful, they usually aren’t representative of the current body of scientific research on female contraception.
You’ll also want to research how much your new medication or contraceptive devices will cost over the long and short term and whether you can avail of government subsidies from public hospitals.
Consider How Your Partner Will Be Affected
Taking decisions on family planning methods is an important matter that affects both you and your partner.
While you may be the one who physically has to go through the process of getting the medication or implant, your partner also depends on the method you choose to protect against unwanted pregnancy.
Your partner might be nervous about getting rid of an IUD or implant and may want to use a barrier form of contraception, in addition to a new hormonal method.
Some men are concerned that a birth control ring, like the NuvaRing, will affect their ability to enjoy intercourse. These fears are normal.
Let your partner know that you’ve considered their feelings in coming to a decision, and listen to any concerns that they might have.
Changing birth control pills is not going to impact your partner to a large extent unless they impact your hormones too much and result in birth control side effects like irritability and mood swings.
There is also a birth control shot available for a one-time dosage a few times a year, especially for those more forgetful women that might not want an implant but want to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Know That It’s Your Choice, But Value Their Opinion
Ultimately, the choice is yours when it comes to what medications go into your body. It’s crucial that you consider your partner’s feelings, but ultimately you need to do what’s best for you.
Pay attention to the way your partner reacts when you bring up switching to a new form of birth control.
If they try to talk you out of the change or insist that you don’t make a change, there may be some red flags in your relationship that need to be addressed.
For the most part, unless you’re trying to conceive a child this should not be a problem at all. Unplanned pregnancies can be difficult to deal with and if you are not financially ready, this could put an immense strain on your personal relationship.
For the most part, men will not even realize you’ve changed your birth control method unless you tell them. This does not mean you should keep it a secret, but remember it’s your choice to change it, as well as if you want to make it a topic of discussion.
Talk To Your Doctor
Even after doing your research, you may still have questions about how switching to a new form of birth control will affect your body and your sex life.
Talking to your doctor about your health and birth control options is essential. If you feel comfortable, it might be helpful to invite your partner to join you in talking to your doctor.
Your doctor will be able to give your partner clear answers about how your new birth control method will affect your relationship and can also tell you if it will interact with your current medications.
People that have certain conditions might opt for a specific form of birth control that would be most effective for them without any health risks.
Changing your birth control is a big decision as you will be using this daily and some methods can have adverse side effects. Do not change your birth control without discussing it with your doctor first.
There could be some interaction with a medication that nullifies the effect of your birth control which would not be common knowledge to someone outside of the medical field.
Do your research and choose the birth control option you and your partner feel most comfortable with after you discuss it with your doctor.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this web site is presented for the purpose of educating people. Nothing contained on this web site should be construed nor is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other qualified health care provider promptly. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
Author bio:
Priya Florence Shah is the publisher of Naaree.com and the author of an emotional self-care book for women. In the book and online course, you’ll learn how to throw off the shackles of your own limiting beliefs, come into your power and design your destiny.
