Birth Control Specialist

What is birth control?

Using birth control is a way to avoid becoming pregnant until you’re ready, or indefinitely if you desire. Many different types of birth control options are available at Capital Women’s Care. The right choice for you depends on your lifestyle and preferences. Your practitioner offers options that best suit your personalized needs.

What are the different types of birth control?

Birth control works by preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs, sperm from reaching your eggs, or implantation of a fertilized egg into your uterus. There are a wide array of birth control options available to choose from, including:

Natural family planning methods

The rhythm method, or natural family planning method, for contraception, involves abstaining from sexual intercourse or using birth control only during the days of the month you’re most fertile. Your OB/GYN helps you use this birth control method properly for effective family planning.

Barrier birth control methods

Barrier birth control methods include condoms, sponges, cervical caps, and diaphragms. You must remember to use these devices each time you have sexual intercourse to help prevent pregnancy.

Short-acting hormonal birth control

Short-acting hormonal methods include birth control pills, minipills, NuvaRing® vaginal rings, injectable Depo-Provera shots, and transdermal birth control patches. You must remember to take or receive these forms of birth control every day, every month, or every several months depending on the type of birth control.

Long-acting reversible birth control

Long-acting reversible methods includes intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal birth control implants. Your OB/GYN inserts these forms of birth control once, and they can last 3-10 years. If you decide you’d like to get pregnant in the meantime, your doctor simply removes the IUD or implant.

Permanent contraception

Your Capital Women’s Care OB/GYN offers permanent contraception if you’re finished having children, or you decide being a parent isn’t for you. These forms of birth control often include minimally invasive surgery and aren’t typically reversible. Examples include tubal occlusion, tubal ligation, or minimally invasive hysterectomies.

Which birth control option is right for me?

Your OB/GYN reviews your medical history and lifestyle to determine which form of birth control best suits your needs. They might use blood or imaging tests to find out if you have a gynecological condition that can affect treatment.

The right type of birth control for you depends on your health, future desires for family planning, and preferences. Some forms of birth control help reduce symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding, cramps, acne, and other women’s health issues.

Be proactive about your health and your future. Schedule an appointment with Capital Women’s Care over the phone or book a consultation online today.