Birth Control

This daily pill releases hormones that stop your ovaries from releasing an egg. Birth control pills are safe and affordable. Taking “the pill” allows you to have sex at any time, without preparation ahead of time. Birth control pills are considered 99% effective when the pills are taken at the same time every day.

You may prefer birth control pills if you:

• Can comply with the daily pill regimen
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

A quick and easy in-office procedure at Ladies First will inject a tiny implant under the skin of your upper arm. Like the birth control pill, this implant releases hormones that prevent eggs from being released from the ovaries. It is considered 99% effective – and it lasts for up to 5 years.

You may prefer birth control implants if you:

• Want a longer-lasting birth control method
• Don’t want to bother with a daily or weekly pill or patch regimen
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

This tiny, T-shaped plastic device is placed inside the uterus during a minimally invasive in-office procedure at Ladies First. Like birth control pills, it releases hormones that suppresses ovulation. There is also a copper IUD that doesn’t release hormones. Instead, it works by creating a small area of localized inflammation that interferes with sperm’s ability to move. IUDs are considered 99% effective – and can last up to 10 years.

You may prefer an IUD if you:

• Want reliable and long-lasting birth control
• Want to enjoy spontaneous sex without having to prepare
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

This flexible, plastic ring is worn for three weeks, during which time it releases hormones that suppress ovulation. It is removed for one week, so that menstruation can occur. Vaginal rings are considered 99% effective when used properly. The rings also deliver a lower level of hormones than is contained in birth control pills. You insert and remove the ring, so repeat visits to the doctor’s office are not necessary. Two brands of vaginal rings – NuvaRing and Annovera – are FDA-approved and available by prescription.

You may prefer a vaginal ring if you:

• Are concerned with taking too many hormones
• Tend to have a fairly regular menstrual cycle
• Are comfortable inserting/removing the ring on a regular basis
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

Like the birth control pill, an injection provided quarterly by your Ladies First OB-GYN provider is safe and considered 99% effective.

You may prefer birth control injections if you:

• Want a longer-lasting birth control method
• Don’t want to bother with a daily or weekly pill or patch regimen
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

Like the birth control pill, adhesive patches worn on the skin release hormones that stop eggs from being released from the ovaries. Because the hormones are directly absorbed into body tissue, it’s not altered by your digestive system as anything taken orally may be. You replace the patch every week for three weeks, then wear no patch for one week to allow menstruation to occur. The cycle is repeated every month. Birth control patches are believed to be 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

You may prefer birth control patches if you:

• Can comply with the weekly patch-replacement regimen
• Tend to have a fairly regular menstrual cycle
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

Commonly known as Plan B, or the morning-after pill, this pill contains a synthetic version of progestin, a hormone commonly found in birth control pills. Because it contains a larger dose than exists in birth control pills, it can cause stomachache and nausea immediately after taking it. However, this type of emergency contraception is effective and doesn’t affect future fertility or cause any serious long-term complications. It can be taken immediately after unprotected sex, or up to five days later.

Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy from occurring – it does not cause an abortion.

Barrier methods of birth control block sperm from reaching an egg.

• Condoms – worn on the penis during intercourse to prevent sperm from entering the vagina. It is the only birth control method that also protects against STIs
• Diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge – typically used along with spermicide to prevent sperm already in the vagina from entering the cervix

You may prefer barrier methods if you:

• Prefer to control precisely when you’re protected against pregnancy
• Can’t or don’t want to take hormones
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

Chemicals contained within a cream, foam, or suppository kill sperm or prevent it from moving into the cervix. Spermicide can be used on its own or with other barrier-method birth control. You insert the spermicide at least 10-15 minutes prior to having sex. When used as directed, spermicide is effective at preventing pregnancy 82% of the time.

You may prefer spermicide if you:

• Prefer to control precisely when you’re protected against pregnancy
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

Being aware of your menstrual cycle, from ovulation to menstruation, can help you identify when you are most and least likely to get pregnant. This method of refraining from intercourse when you are most likely to be fertile is believed to be about 76% effective in preventing pregnancy.

You may prefer natural family planning (the rhythm method) if you:

• Tend to have a fairly regular menstrual cycle
• Want to avoid contraception due to your religious beliefs
• Can’t or don’t want to take hormones
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern

Tubal ligation – more commonly called “having your tubes tied” – is a surgical procedure in which the ends of the fallopian tubes are sealed shut, so that eggs cannot be released into the uterus. This procedure also blocks sperm from traveling up the fallopian tubes to the eggs. This is considered a permanent method of birth control and later reversal procedures are not always effective.

You may prefer a tubal ligation if you:

• Are sure you don’t want to become pregnant in the future
• Have a trusted sexual partner, so STIs are not a concern