So many contraception options are available to women nowadays that it can be overwhelming to navigate your choices.  You can discuss your options with the team at Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology Group at an annual well-woman exam or make a separate appointment specifically for birth control.  There are both hormonal and non-hormonal options available.  Hormonal options prevent pregnancy by halting ovulation or by thickening your cervical mucus so sperm can’t reach the egg.  

Birth control prescriptions include:

• Birth control pills
• Birth control patches
• Vaginal rings, such as NuvaRing  and Annovera
• Injections, such as Depo-Provera
• Implants, such as Nexplanon
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs) including Mirena, Liletta, Skyla, Kyleena, and Paragard

You may also consider barrier methods that prevent the egg and sperm from meeting. These include condoms and diaphragms.  Some women who are sure their families are complete may choose a tubal ligation, which is an irreversible form of birth control.  The physicians at Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology Group can also help you with natural fertility awareness methods of birth control that involve monitoring your cycle and cervical mucus to determine your most fertile days and thus when to avoid intercourse.  

Our providers will take time to learn about your individual needs and help you choose which the best birth control option for you.  We will discuss the pros and cons of each method in terms of possible side effects and ease of use. We will also review the reliability and reversibility of each method. 

Condoms are the only form of birth control that provides some measure of protection from STDs. Condoms, however, aren’t the most reliable when it comes to preventing pregnancy, so our team recommends you use a condom in addition to another form of birth control to prevent both pregnancy and STDs.  If you’re concerned you’ve had unprotected intercourse, she offers STD testing even if you’re symptom-free. Many STDs have no outward symptoms but are still contagious.  When you’re ready to explore your birth control options, call the office of Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology and The Center for Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology or schedule an appointment online. 

Tubal ligation is a form of permanent sterilization. It can be performed at the time of a c-section or laparoscopically (using a small camera placed through an incision near the belly button) and consists of removing part or all of the fallopian tubes. This prevents an eff from moving down the fallopian tube and prevents sperm from reaching the egg. (Since there is no interference with the ovaries or uterus, your hormones will still work each month and you will continue to have a monthly period until you enter menopause). Sterilization is a highly effective way to prevent pregnancy. Fewer than 1 in 200 women will become pregnant after tubal ligation. Since this is considered a permanent form of birth control, tubal ligation is not meant to be reversible. Before having the procedure performed, you (and your partner) must be certain that you do not want children in the future. If you have a tubal ligation performed and you change your mind after, you can attempt to have surgery to reverse it but will mostly likely be referred for in vitro fertilization (IVF). These procedures are both expensive and typically are not covered by insurance. Additionally there is no guarantee that you will be able to become pregnant afterward. The physicians at Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology Group can help you decide if permanent sterilization is right for you.