Contraception: choosing the method that actually fits your life
There is no single "best" method of contraception — only the one that fits your health, your plans, and your preferences. The right choice depends on things a list can't tell you: your medical history, whether you want the option of pregnancy later, how you feel about using something daily versus something long-acting, and what you're comfortable with. That's why it's a conversation, not a form to fill in.
The main categories
Broadly, contraception falls into a few groups. Each has genuine advantages, and none is automatically right for everyone.
Barrier methods
Condoms and similar methods work by physically preventing sperm from reaching the egg. They're used at the time, need no prescription, carry no hormonal effect, and are the only contraceptive method that also reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Hormonal methods
Pills, injections and similar methods work by altering the hormonal cycle to prevent ovulation. There are several types with different hormone combinations and different schedules, and which one suits you depends on your health history and what side effects you can tolerate — this is discussed and prescribed individually, never picked off a shelf.
Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
A small device placed inside the uterus, offering long-acting protection without needing to remember a daily routine. Some release a hormone locally, others are hormone-free copper devices. Insertion is a short outpatient procedure, and the device can be removed whenever you choose to stop using it or want to try for pregnancy.
Permanent options
Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure for those who have completed their family and are certain they do not want future pregnancy. Because it is intended to be permanent, it's a decision we talk through carefully beforehand, including what it does and does not affect and what alternatives exist if there's any uncertainty about being finished having children.
How we help you choose
We start with your history — any existing health conditions, medications, past pregnancies, and how many children you have or plan to have. Then we talk through what matters to you: whether you want something you control day to day or something long-acting you don't have to think about, whether you might want to conceive again in the near future, and any side effects you've experienced with a method before. From there, we narrow down to the methods that genuinely suit you, rather than defaulting to whichever one is easiest to prescribe.
Part of ongoing care, not a special appointment
Contraception counselling isn't something you need a separate reason to ask about. It comes up naturally as part of postnatal care — deciding what fits once you've had a baby and are thinking about spacing or completing your family — and it's a normal part of any general gynaecological visit. If your current method isn't working for you, or your circumstances have changed, that's worth a conversation any time, not just at a dedicated appointment.
When plans change
Contraception is not a one-time decision. What suits you in your twenties may not suit you after having children, and what suits you after your family is complete is different again. Switching methods, stopping a method to try for pregnancy, or reviewing your options after a health change are all things we're glad to go through with you — see also planning a pregnancy if you're thinking about the other direction.
Getting here
Consultations, IUD insertion and removal, and tubal ligation are all done at Pai Hospital, Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama. If you're travelling from elsewhere in Goa for a procedure, we send a car for you and bring you home again, free of cost. See our full range of services or read more about Dr. Mayur Pai.
Which contraceptive method is best?
There isn't a single best method — it depends on your health history, whether you want future pregnancy, and your own preferences. That's why it's chosen in consultation rather than off a general list.
Can I switch methods later?
Yes. Most methods can be stopped or changed whenever your circumstances change, including if you decide you want to try for pregnancy.
Is an IUD a permanent method?
No. It's long-acting but fully reversible — it can be removed at any time, and fertility is not affected once it's out. Permanent options like tubal ligation are a separate, deliberate decision.
Do I need to book a special appointment to discuss contraception?
No. It's a normal part of postnatal care and general gynaecological visits — you can raise it whenever it's relevant to you.
This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.