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Family Planning

Hormonal Contraception

Hormonal contraception can take a variety of forms—including pills, injections, vaginal rings, and skin patches. In general, hormonal contraception changes the levels of hormones already in your system to prevent ovulation—the release of your egg into the fallopian tube. When no egg is released, there is no egg to fertilize, and therefore, no pregnancy. There are many types of hormonal birth control available today, including

  • Birth control pills that you take daily and low-dose options that allow you to go up to three months without a period.
  • Injections that provide protection for up to three months and are convenient for those who find daily birth control difficult to remember.
  • The vaginal ring, a flexible, plastic ring that is placed in the upper vagina, worn for 21 days, then removed for 7 days.
  • The contraceptive skin patch, a small adhesive patch that is placed on the skin each week     to deliver a steady dose of hormones into the bloodstream to prevent ovulation and change the lining of the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
Your doctor will be happy to discuss the advantages and risks of each with you to determine which method is the best fit for your life style. Click here to make an appointment to explore your options.

Intrauterine Devices (IUD)

The Intrauterine Device, the IUD, is a birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

There are currently two types of IUDs approved for use in the United States:
  • The hormonal IUD which is effective for 5 years
  • The copper IUD that can remain in your body for as long as 10 years

An IUD is inserted during an office visit. Before inserting the IUD, your doctor will review your medical history, examine your vagina and uterus to be sure you show no signs of infection and give you a pregnancy test.

Mirena® IUD

Mirena® is an intrauterine contraceptive that delivers a small dose of hormone directly to the uterus. This soft, flexible device is placed in your uterus during an office visit and is over 99% effective.

Mirena® should be placed within 7 days of the start of your period and can continue to work as long as 5 years. All you need to do is check the placement monthly, as instructed by your doctor, to ensure that the device remains in place.

If you decide you want to become pregnant, you can have the device removed and begin trying to conceive immediately. To learn more about Mirena® and to discuss which birth control option is right for you, Click here to make an appointment.

Permanent Contraception

Until recently, permanent birth control for women, also known as tubal sterilization, required surgery. Today, there are also non-surgical solutions.

If you are sure you no longer want to have children and will not want to change your mind in the future, sterilization is an effective choice. Here are the two major types of sterilization:

  • Traditional Sterilization seals off both fallopian tubes, so the egg can no longer move down the tube to reach the sperm. There are a number of ways to accomplish this—the tubes may cut, clipped or sealed by an electrical current during a laparoscopic precedure.
  • Adiana® non surgical solution offers permanent contraception that requires no incision and can be done in the comfort and convenience of our office.
With Adiana® a slender, flexible instrument is passed through your body’s natural openings to deliver a small amount of energy to a small section of the fallopian tube. A tiny, soft insert is then placed in each tube where that energy was applied. Over the next 3 months, your own tissue grows in and around the insert to completely and permanently block the fallopian tube.

Our doctors are experienced in both traditional methods of sterilization and the use of Adiana and will be happy to discuss your situation and your options. Click here to schedule your appointment today.