Will I receive birth control information?
Dr. Mills devotes time to explaining your birth control options and answering questions you may have about the best method for your lifestyle and future family plans.
When it comes to choosing birth control, many of her patients are concerned about the effectiveness of each method. Here are some guidelines:
- Permanent birth control (tubal ligation or occlusion): Nearly 100% effective
- Intrauterine device (IUD): Nearly 100% effective
- Nexplanon® (hormone-based implant): 99%
- NuvaRing® (hormone-based vaginal ring): 98%
- Birth control pills and other hormone-based methods (patch, vaginal ring): 91-94%
- Male condoms: 82%
You can boost the effectiveness of birth control pills, patches, and the vaginal ring up to 98-99% by using them consistently and properly. For example, you can’t miss a pill and you must strictly follow your schedule for replacing the patch and ring.
How do hormone-based birth control methods work?
When you choose a birth control method that uses hormones to prevent pregnancy, it relies on two possible mechanisms, depending on the hormones in your method. The hormones may stop your ovaries from releasing an egg or prevent sperm from getting into the uterus and fallopian tubes by thickening mucus in the cervix.
What types of birth control are available?
Dr. Mills provides all types of contraception to her patients. The methods her patients often choose include:
- Birth control pills
- Nexplanon® (inserted in your arm)
- NuvaRing® (placed inside your vagina)
- Birth control patch
- IUDs (placed inside your uterus)
Dr. Mills also offers permanent birth control, such as tubal ligation (cutting and tying your fallopian tubes). If you’d like a method of birth control that’s as effective as tubal ligation, you may want to consider long-acting reversible contraception.
What is long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)?
LARCs are inserted once, and then they continuously prevent pregnancy until they’re removed. They’re just as effective as permanent birth control and they’re long-acting because they protect you for three to 10 years, depending on the one you use.
Unlike permanent birth control, LARCs are reversible. Each method is easy to remove at any time and, once it’s gone, you can get pregnant right away.
The LARCs include:
- Nexplanon implant: prevents pregnancy up to three years
- Hormone-based IUDs: prevent pregnancy for three to five years, depending on the IUD
- Copper-based IUD: prevents pregnancy up to 10 years
When you need birth control, you’ll receive full information and the care you need at Mills Obstetrics & Gynecology. To schedule an appointment, call or use the online booking feature.
