What is birth control?
Birth control is any medicine, method, or device used to prevent pregnancy. Some forms of birth control also prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), while others do not. Birth control works in a variety of different ways, such as:
- Preventing sperm from getting to eggs
- Lowering the risk a fertilized egg will implant in the uterus
- Preventing women’s ovaries from releasing eggs
What are the different forms of birth control?
When pregnancy prevention is your goal, numerous birth control options are available, such as:
Barrier methods
Each time you have sexual intercourse, you can use non-invasive barrier methods for birth control:
- Diaphragms
- Cervical caps
- Sponges
- Condoms
Short-acting hormonal methods
Short-acting hormonal methods for birth control include birth control pills, a shot Dr. Martinez administers every three months, patches, or a vaginal ring.
Taking birth control pills is noninvasive, but you have to remember to take the pill at recommended times and days. Various birth control pills exist. Some cause you to have periods once per month, while others yield less-frequent periods or no periods.
Long-lasting reversible contraception
When choosing long-term reversible contraception, which can last up to 10 years, you don’t have to take a pill every day. Hormonal implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are examples of long-lasting contraception that can be reversed when you’re ready to have children.
Sterilization
If you’re done having children or don’t want any children, you can opt for sterilization procedures, such as:
- Tubal ligation, which is a surgical procedure also known as “getting your tubes tied”
- Essure® system that permanently blocks fallopian tubes using small metal coils
- Endometrial ablation (NovaSure® or Thermachoice®) that destroys the lining of the uterus, making pregnancy unlikely
Emergency Contraception
If you’ve had unprotected sex, you missed a birth control pill, or a birth control method failed -- a condom breaks, for example -- emergency contraception significantly lowers your chance of becoming pregnant.
Emergency contraception pills and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) help prevent pregnancy when used as soon as possible (up to five days) after sexual intercourse.
Which form of birth control is right for me?
Whether you‘re looking for short-term birth control solutions or permanent sterilization to avoid having children, Dr. Martinez works with you to determine which form of birth control best meets your needs. Call Femhealth Group to learn more, or book an appointment online.
