What types of birth control are available?
Dr. Patterson offers a wide variety of birth control options to meet the needs of each patient. Among the most popular choices are:
This non-hormonal birth control puts you in control. It’s lubricated and non-latex, making it comfortable and easy to wear: You just insert it 1-2 hours before use.
The female condom prevents both unplanned pregnancy and STDs, which can cause infertility. Plus, because it’s a prescription method, many insurance plans cover it.
Birth control pills
Among the most used form of contraception since the late 1980s, birth control pills prevent pregnancy by controlling the hormones to either stop the release of an ovum during ovulation or by making the uterus inhospitable to conception.
IUDs
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped device placed in the uterus to prevent sperm movement, and therefore pregnancy, for 3-10 years depending on the type. IUDs come in both copper and hormonal varieties.
The Depo-Provera shot
This is a shot administered during an office visit every three months.
NuvaringⓇ
This is a small ring that you insert and remove once a month. It releases the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent your ovaries from producing eggs.
What type of birth control is best for me?
During your birth control consultation, Dr. Patterson gathers details about your lifestyle, medical history, and plans for having a family in the future. With this information, he can offer advice regarding the best birth control option for you.
While birth control pills are very common, some women may prefer a birth control method that they don’t have to remember to take daily. Or if you plan to start a family in the future, you may want to avoid hormonal birth control that can affect fertility even after usage stops.
Does Dr. Patterson offer permanent birth control?
Dr. Patterson offers EssureⓇ, a form of permanent birth control with an extremely high satisfaction rate. It’s a 5-minute, non-surgical office procedure in which Dr. Patterson implants a coil inside the fallopian tubes.
Over the course of three months, Essure promotes the formation of scar tissue that acts as a natural barrier, prohibiting eggs and sperm from joining. Three months after the coil is implanted, Dr. Patterson performs an ultrasound to make sure the fallopian tubes are completely blocked.
The other form of permanent contraception available is tubal ligation, a surgery to seal off the fallopian tubes.
To explore your birth control options, call Dr. Patterson today or book an appointment online.
