Contraception

Most women can become pregnant from the time they are in their early teens until they are in their late 40s. Birth control (or contraception) helps a woman plan her pregnancies.

We encourage you to check out the educational booklet Birth Control.

We will tailor a method of birth control to fit your individual needs. Below is a summary of birth control options available to our patients. We have provided links to the pharmaceutical companies websites if you are interested in learning more about these methods.

Hormonal Methods

Birth Control Pills - pills taken by mouth daily (click here to read about "the pill")
Birth Control Patch - a small patch placed on skin that is changed weekly (www.OrthoEvra.com)
Nuva Ring - a small ring placed in vagina monthly by patient (www.NuvaRing.com)
Depo-Provera - an injectable medication given every three months
Nexplanon - a single, small implantable rod placed under skin of the inner upper arm that is effective for up to three years (nexplanon-usa.com)

IUDs - small devices placed inside the uterus to provide reversible contraception

Mirena - contains progesterone, lasts up to five years (www.mirena-us.com)
Paragard - does not contain hormones, lasts up to ten years (www.paragard.com)

Barrier Methods

Condoms/spermicide - condoms plus a gel or foam that kills sperm on contact
Diaphragm - a plastic or latex cup that covers the cervix

Natural Family Planning

Also called periodic abstinence or the rhythm method. For more information, please click here to read the article Natural Family Planning on The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website.