What is birth control?
Birth control is a way to prevent pregnancy, with different methods that vary in dose timing and effectiveness. During your consultation, you can discuss your contraception options with Dr. Jones to help you decide what’s best for you.
What are the different types of birth control?
Dr. Jones provides many different forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy, including pills, skin patches, vaginal hormone rings, IUDs, subdermal implants, injections, and tubal ligations.
IUDs
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small devices that Dr. Jones implants into your uterus. There are hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs that can protect against pregnancy anywhere from 3-10 years. Paragard® and Mirana® IUDs are available at Ozark OBGYN. IUDs can be removed at any time.
The Pill
The birth control pill uses progestin and estrogen hormones. It’s a popular choice that requires you to take a pill at the same time every day for the best results.
Vaginal rings
Vaginal rings typically use the same hormones found in birth control pills and involve a special ring placed in your vagina. The vaginal ring releases a steady, low dose of hormones. Some vaginal rings work on a four-week cycle where the ring stays in your vagina for three weeks and you remove it for one week.
You can typically place and remove the ring yourself, like a tampon. Most rings should remain in your vagina before and after intercourse to make sure you’re protected from pregnancy.
Nexplanon
Nexplanon® is a birth control implant that secretes hormones and lasts up to three years. During a quick in-office treatment, Dr. Jones places a small, flexible implant discreetly under the skin (subdermal) of your inner, upper arm. The Nexplanon implant can be removed at any time.
Ortho Evra Hormone Skin Patch
The skin patch is an adhesive patch that slowly releases the same hormones that are in birth control pills. A new patch is applied weekly for three consecutive weeks each month.
Depo Provera Injection
The Depo Provera injection results in a release of progesterone hormone that is slowly broken down over time to keep your hormone levels elevated. The injection is given every three months, but does often result in side effects that Dr. Jones will discuss with you at your consultation.
Tubal ligation
Tubal ligation is a type of permanent birth control where your fallopian tubes are cut, tied, or blocked to permanently prevent pregnancy. Tubal ligation prevents an egg from traveling from your ovaries through the fallopian tubes. It also blocks sperm from traveling up your fallopian tubes to the egg. The procedure doesn’t affect menstruation. Tubal ligation is difficult to reverse, and, in some cases, it can’t be reversed, so it should only be considered when life-long sterility is desired.
What are the benefits of birth control?
As well as preventing pregnancy, some birth control methods offer additional benefits, including:
- Treating acne
- Protecting against sexually transmitted diseases (condoms)
- Reducing menstrual pain and associated symptoms, such as fatigue
In some cases, birth control is used to help treat certain medical conditions, such as:
- Anemia
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Learn more about the various birth control options by calling Ozark OBGYN or scheduling an appointment online.
