{"id":58360,"date":"2023-05-09T09:30:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T13:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=58360"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:43:56","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:43:56","slug":"how-long-does-birth-control-take-to-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-birth-control-take-to-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take for birth control to work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe you want to avoid getting pregnant, or you want both contraception and protection from STDs. Either way, you may be considering what form of birth control is best for you. While only <\/span>condoms<\/span><\/a> (male or female) protect against some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), certain forms of birth control are better at pregnancy prevention than others. Considering the timing of your chosen birth control is also important in order to reduce your chances of conceiving accidentally. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of birth control options to take charge of your reproductive health.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is birth control?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Birth control, or contraception, is any method, device, or surgical intervention that  prevents pregnancy, says <\/span>Erika Gray<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> Pharm.D., chief medical officer and co-founder of <\/span>Toolbox Genomics<\/span><\/a>, a DNA and epigenetic testing company. Some forms of birth control are reversible while others are permanent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of birth control<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are many forms of contraception available, each with its own use guidelines, says Dr. Gray. Some are more effective than others, but it’s still possible to get pregnant with all types of birth control, including sterilization. Birth control can be grouped into the following <\/span>categories<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n