Contraception

What are the different types of contraception?

Women who need birth control can obtain all the different types at Westmoreland Obstetrics and Gynecologic Associates. When you schedule an appointment for birth control, your doctor first performs a thorough exam to be sure you don’t have any health concerns that would affect your choice.

Your doctor at Westmoreland Obstetrics and Gynecologic Associates explains your options and answers your questions. One of the top questions women ask is about the effectiveness of each birth control method. Here’s a list of the different contraceptives and their effectiveness:

• Permanent birth control (tubal ligation): nearly 100% effective
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs): nearly 100% effective
• Nexplanon® (hormone-containing implant): 99% effective
• Depo-Provera®: 99% effective
• NuvaRing® (hormone-containing vaginal ring): 98% effective
• Birth control pills and hormone-containing patches: 91-94% effective

You can improve the effectiveness of many methods by using them properly. For example, you can boost the effectiveness of birth control pills by taking your pill every day at about the same time. Depo-Provera must be injected every three months. If you miss an appointment, its effectiveness significantly drops.

How do hormone-containing contraceptives prevent pregnancy?

No matter what form of hormone-based birth control you prefer, they all work by delivering hormones that prevent sperm from reaching an egg.

Depending on the hormones used, your contraceptive may do one or more of the following:

• Stop your ovaries from releasing an egg
• Change the uterine lining to prevent it from nurturing a fertilized egg
• Thicken mucus in the cervix so sperm can’t get to the egg

Of all the hormone-containing contraceptives, the most effective belong to a group called long-acting reversible contraceptives.

What are long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)?

IUDs and Nexplanon are LARCs because they’re inserted once, then stay in place and continuously prevent pregnancy for a long time. LARCs are just as effective as tubal ligation, yet they’re completely reversible.

LARCs are incredibly convenient because they can safely stay in place for years:

• Nexplanon is inserted under the skin of your arm, where it can prevent pregnancy for up to three years
• Hormone-containing IUDs are placed inside your uterus, where they prevent pregnancy for 3-5 years
• A copper IUD prevents pregnancy by inhibiting sperm mobility and can stay in place up to 10 years

Although LARCs can stay in place for years, your doctor at Westmoreland Obstetrics and Gynecologic Associates can remove them at any time.

If you need contraceptives, schedule an appointment at Westmoreland Obstetrics and Gynecologic Associates by calling or using the online booking feature.