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Family Planning

Contraception

We specialize in innovative contraceptive techniques.

Pregnancy Prevention Birth Control Counseling Types of Birth Control

Our team can help you figure out which contraceptive options are best for you and your life, including oral contraception, intrauterine device (IUD), contraceptive implant and contraceptive injection.

Pregnancy Prevention

There are many options available today to prevent pregnancy. We make it possible for people to get the type of birth control that is best and most appropriate for them, including:

Hormonal contraception – Oral medications, injections, patches and implants release hormones to prevent pregnancy.
Long-acting, reversible contraception (LARC) – Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are placed inside the uterus or implants inserted under the skin of the arm to prevent pregnancy for several years.
Sterilization – Surgical procedures cut or close the fallopian tubes to permanently prevent conception.
Emergency birth control – Taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex or when birth control fails to stop the release of an egg from the ovary.

Comprehensive Birth Control Counseling

We offer a wide range of contraception options and can match the best method of contraception to your medical and social needs. In addition, we specialize in contraception consultations for women with serious medical conditions.

What is birth control?

Birth control is any activity, medicine, or equipment used to prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control available for women who do not wish to become pregnant. The decision on which method is right for you should be made with your healthcare provider, as well as with your partner.

Birth control methods work in different ways to prevent pregnancy, including:

Creating a barrier that blocks sperm from reaching the egg
Killing sperm
Preventing eggs from being released by the ovaries
Changing the cervical mucus to hinder sperm from moving into the uterus
Altering the tissue lining the uterus so that a fertilized egg can’t implant

What are the Different Types of Birth Control?

No prescription required

Some methods that don’t require a prescription from your healthcare provider include:

Abstinence - Not having sex
Spermicides - Foams or creams placed inside the vagina to kill sperm These may also provide some protection against sexually transmitted infections. This is especially possible when used with a latex condom
Male condom - A thin tube made of latex or a natural material that is placed over the penis. The sperm is collected in the end of the condom. Latex condoms may provide some protection against sexually transmitted infections
Female condom - A liner made of latex or natural material that is placed inside the vagina. Latex condoms may provide some protection against sexually transmitted infections
Natural family planning - Timing sex to avoid fertile days using various methods of monitoring body temperature. It also involves watching for changes in cervical mucus, and the use of ovulation prediction kits. This method, often known as the rhythm method, has a high risk for pregnancy

Visit your healthcare provider

Some methods that require a visit to your healthcare provider for an exam and a prescription include:

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) - Medicines taken daily that prevent ovulation by controlling pituitary hormone secretion. Usually, oral contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin
Mini-pill - Unlike the traditional birth control pill, the mini-pill has only the hormone, progestin. Taken daily, the mini-pill thickens cervical mucus and prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. The mini-pill also can decrease the flow of your period and protect against pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian and endometrial cancer
Implant - A capsule containing the synthetic hormone etonogestrel is implanted under the skin in the upper arm of a woman. This continuously prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg for up to 3 years. A local anesthetic is needed for insertion and removal of this type of birth control
Injection - A progesterone-like drug given by injection to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation. The effects last for about 3 months and another injection must be given to continue birth control effectiveness
Patch - This is a skin patch worn on the body that releases the hormones estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream. It is most effective in women who weigh less than 198 pounds
Diaphragm or cervical cap - A dome-shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim that is inserted through the vagina to cover the cervix. This type of birth control must be inserted before having sex
Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring - A ring that is placed inside the vagina around the cervix. The ring releases the hormones estrogen and progestin
Intrauterine device (IUD) - Devices placed in the uterus through the cervix by a healthcare provider. The IUD works by thickening cervical mucus to make it hard for sperm to enter the cervix. Or by preventing the fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus. IUDs containing hormones are also called intrauterine systems and must be replaced every 5 years, while copper IUDs can last up to 10 years