When planning to get surgery, whether elective or necessary, you will need to begin planning in the weeks or months prior to the operation. One of the suggestions that your surgeon may give is that you not take any hormonal birth control. This could cause complications with the surgery or possibly interfere with some of the medication that you will be prescribed during your healing. If you will need to go off your regular birth control for your surgery, here are some options you should discuss with your OBGYN.
Getting fitted with a diaphragm
Diaphrams are nonhormonal birth control methods that cover the uterus opening like a cap. This will stop any sperm from being able to get inside of the fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg. If you are planning to wear a diaphragm, you will need to be fitted with the device to ensure it fits your body specifically. Your OBGYN may also suggest that you use spermicide with the diaphragm. Be sure to ask your surgeon if the spermicide brand that you plan to use is approved, as some may interact with your body's chemistry.
IUDs
If you are looking for a long-term birth control solution, but you need it to be without the hormones, some women opt for copper IUDs. These intrauterine devices are placed inside of the uterus to scrap the lining. This ensures that no egg can be implanted in the uterus wall. A copper IUD does not operate on hormones, so it should not interfere with your surgery. You may have to have a waiting period between the implantation of the IUD and the surgery, so ask your OBGYN how long you will have to wait before you are cleared for your surgery.
Condoms and spermicide
Condoms are one of the simplest forms of birth control that is nonhormonal. You and your partner will need to use a condom each time you have sex to prevent pregnancy. If your surgery is coming up soon, opting for condoms with the help of spermicide is nonhormonal and just a few dollars. The spermicide will help to increase the effectiveness if the condom breaks. Allow your OBGYN to provide you with an assessment of the best condom brand that is known to hold up well and are widely available. Just one box may be able to last you until your surgery.
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