With so many birth control options available today, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best fit.
To help you make the most informed decision, the gynecology team here at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group takes the time to learn about our patients’ health and family planning goals.
We provide contraceptive counseling services in-office and offer many of the most effective and popular birth control options.
There are both hormonal and nonhormonal birth control options available to meet your needs.
Hormonal options work by preventing ovulation, so your ovaries don’t release an egg for fertilization. We offer several types of hormonal birth control, including:
Intrauterine devices are also available in nonhormonal forms. They use copper to trigger inflammation and create a toxic environment in your uterus that kills sperm.
Other nonhormonal birth control methods include condoms, diaphragms, spermicides, and sponges, which trap sperm and prevent them from reaching the egg for fertilization.
Hormonal birth control options are an effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy. You may benefit from taking the pill if you can remember to take it every day. The patch may be more convenient, as you only need to change it once a week.
If you’re looking for more convenience, we can recommend implants, which go directly under the skin in your arm and release a steady stream of hormones to prevent pregnancy. You need to come to our office every few months to replace the implant in order to provide reliable pregnancy protection.
Many women choose IUDs because they provide long-lasting pregnancy protection. Hormonal IUDs can last up to three years, and nonhormonal IUDs can protect against pregnancy for up to 10 years. We offer IUD placement services in-office and can remove the device when you’re ready to become pregnant.
In addition to convenience, there are other factors to consider when choosing birth control. Our gynecology team offers comprehensive physical exams and reviews your medical history before recommending birth control.
Some women can’t use hormonal birth control because of underlying health conditions or lifestyle factors that increase their risk for blood clots and other complications. You may also not be a candidate for hormonal birth control if you’re over age 35 due to the increased risk for blood clots.
We also factor in your plans for family and your lifestyle to ensure the birth control you choose meets your needs. If you have more than one sexual partner, you also need to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by using condoms every time you have sex.
Condoms are the only form of birth control that can lower your risk for contracting and spreading gonorrhea, syphilis, and other STDs.
To learn more about your birth control options, book an appointment online or over the phone with The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group today.
