Contraception Specialist

What type of contraception is best for me?

There is no one best choice for any woman, so it’s a case of discussing the available options with your doctor to decide what is most suitable for you. Many women considering contraception are looking for a temporary solution so that they can choose to have a baby when they’re ready, rather than leaving it to chance.

There are numerous options for birth control, and the team of specialists at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group has extensive experience helping women make the right choice for their reproductive health, providing information and advice on a complete range of birth control solutions.

What types of birth control are available?

The pill is probably the most well-known method of contraception, but it’s not the only alternative. It uses hormones just like the ones produced by your body to regulate your fertility by preventing ovulation each month -- if there’s no egg, there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize.

The intrauterine device (IUD) comes in two forms, hormonal and copper. The hormonal version works in much the same way as the contraceptive pill, by preventing ovulation and creating an inhospitable environment for sperm. Copper-wrapped IUDs don’t contain any hormones but prevent pregnancy by triggering your body’s immune system.

Other hormonal options include a vaginal ring or contraceptive patch, as well as an implant, such as NexplanonⓇ, which is placed in your upper arm and provide a slow release of hormones to prevent pregnancy. It’s a convenient method for many women, and once implanted, Nexplanon works for three years before it needs to be replaced.

The advantage of using one of these alternative methods is that you don’t have to remember to take a pill every day, and the right amount of hormone is released to prevent ovulation.

Barrier methods of contraception include items such as male and female condoms, diaphragms, sponges, and spermicides.

How reliable are hormonal contraceptives?

Hormonal contraceptives are highly effective and prevent pregnancy around 92-99% of the time if used correctly. However, it’s easy to forget to take a pill one day for instance, so in the real world, the average effectiveness of the pill is around 90%. By comparison, the average effectiveness of barrier methods range from 60-85%.

With so many alternatives, it’s reassuring to know you can consult a team of professionals like the doctors at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, who have the expertise and dedication to find the right contraceptive method for every patient. Call one of the offices today or book an appointment online.