What are my birth control options?
When it comes to preventing pregnancy, you have a number of different options:
Barrier methods
To prevent pregnancy, barrier methods need to be used during each instance of sexual intercourse and include diaphragms, vaginal sponges, and condoms — both male and female.
Short-acting hormonal birth control
These are prescription-based birth control methods that you need to use on a consistent basis to help prevent pregnancy. Short-acting hormonal birth control includes the birth control pill or patch, vaginal rings (such as NuvaRing®), and hormonal shots (such as Depo-Provera).
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
LARC is a type of birth control that prevents pregnancy for more than three months and includes hormonal implants such as Nexplanon® and intrauterine devices (IUD) such as Mirena®, Kyleena®, and Paraguard®.
Sterilization
If you have no future plans to have children, sterilization may be a good option. The women’s health experts at My OB/GYN Specialists can perform the procedure in a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) way, or use a special device called Essure®.
What is is an IUD?
An IUD is a tiny device the team at My OB/GYN Specialists place in your uterus to prevent pregnancy for more than three years.
The types of IUDs include:
- Hormonal IUDs: prevent pregnancy by making it difficult for sperm to swim to the egg
- Copper IUDs: prevent pregnancy by disabling sperm
Implantation of an IUD takes only a few minutes. IUDs are also easily reversible, allowing you to get pregnant almost immediately once the device has been removed.
What is Essure?
Essure is a device the team at My OB/GYN use for permanent birth control. It prevents pregnancy by blocking the fallopian tubes, stopping sperm from getting to your egg.
Placement of Essure is a minimally invasive procedure, so there’s no cutting or scarring. The team is able to perform the procedure at the office.
While Essure is an effective form of permanent birth control, it takes about three months to begin taking effect. During the three month period, you need to use another form of birth control to prevent pregnancy.
If you have questions about birth control, call the doctors at My OB/GYN Specialists or schedule an appointment with them online.
