When it comes to family planning and preventing unwanted pregnancy, it’s important to use birth control that fits your unique situation and health needs. At Memorial Women’s Specialists in Houston, Texas, OB/GYN specialists Mina Sinacori, MD, MPH, FACOG, and M. Bruce Christopherson, MD, FACOG, take a personalized approach to women’s health. They work closely with you to help find the birth control that helps keep you in control of your health and your body. To schedule a consultation, call the office or book online today.

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What is birth control?

Birth control, or contraception, includes all methods women use to prevent pregnancy. This includes medications you get from your doctor and condoms you pick up at the drugstore.

Though women have many choices when it comes to birth control, some methods are more effective than others. Some forms of birth control even help women manage gynecological conditions like endometriosis.

What are the types of birth control?

There are many types of birth control, including:

Short-term hormonal birth control

Short-term hormonal birth control includes the birth control pill, patch, or shot. These medications stop ovulation or prevent sperm from reaching your egg for fertilization.

In addition to family planning, Memorial Women’s Specialists may also prescribe short-term hormonal birth control to treat gynecological conditions.

Barrier methods

Diaphragms and cervical caps are examples of barrier methods of birth control. You must use these methods each time you have vaginal intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

Condoms are also a barrier method of birth control that also protect against some STDs.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)

LARCs are implanted devices that prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation (release of an egg from the ovaries) or making it too hard for sperm to reach the egg for fertilization. LARCs are almost as effective at preventing pregnancy as sterilization.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and birth control implants are types of LARCs.

Sterilization

Sterilization is a surgical procedure that cuts or blocks the fallopian tubes to prevent an egg from reaching sperm for fertilization. It’s one of the most effective forms of birth control, but the procedure is permanent.

Am I a good candidate for LARCs?

Though Memorial Women’s Specialists offers all birth control options, they specialize in the placement and management of LARCs. They may consider you a good candidate for LARCs if you’re in need of a long-lasting form of birth control and have future pregnancy plans.

Types of LARCs offered at Memorial Women’s Specialists include:

IUDs

IUDs are T-shaped devices your OB/GYN places in your uterus. Memorial Women’s Specialists offers Mirena® and Kyleena® hormonal IUDs and Paragard® non-hormonal IUD.

Once in place, a hormonal IUD may prevent pregnancy for up to five years, while a non-hormonal IUD may prevent pregnancy for 10 or more years.

Birth control implant

The birth control implant is a matchstick-size rod that contains hormones that stop ovulation and thicken cervical mucus to prevent pregnancy.

Your provider implants the birth control device, Nexplanon®, in your upper arm and it stops unwanted pregnancy for up to five years.

To schedule your birth control consultation, call Memorial Women’s Specialists or book online today.