Birth Control

What is Birth Control?

Birth control helps you avoid becoming pregnant before you’re ready. It can be done naturally or with medical intervention, and it can be temporary or permanent. The experienced medical team at Capital Women’s Care uses the highest ethical standards and will offer you birth control options that are the right fit for you.

How Does Birth Control Work?

For a pregnancy to happen, sperm must come in contact with one of your eggs and fertilize the egg. The fertilized egg must then implant, or attach itself, into the lining of your uterus. Birth control methods work in a number of different ways to prevent pregnancy, such as:

• Preventing ovaries from releasing an egg
• Lowering the chances of sperm reaching an egg
• Blocking a fertilized egg from uterus implantation
• Surgical removal of reproductive organs for permanent sterilization

The compassionate OB/GYN team at Capital Women’s Care knows that you may feel better about certain birth control methods than others, that’s why they offer individualized options and not a one-size-fits-all approach.

What are the Different Types of Birth Control?

There are a number of different types of birth control, such as:

• Natural Family Planning: When using the natural planning method for birth control, the team of medical experts at Capital Women’s Care will help determine when you’re body is ovulating. You’ll abstain from sexual intercourse during that time to prevent pregnancy.
• Barrier Methods: A barrier form of birth control is something that physically blocks sperm from reaching an egg, such as condoms, cervical caps, sponges and diaphragms. These methods are noninvasive, but they must be used each time during intercourse to prevent pregnancy. When used properly, barrier methods are highly effective, but they are not 100% foolproof.
• Short-Lasting Hormonal Birth Control: Short-lasting hormonal birth control works for a particular span of time — from a day, to a month, to three months at a time. Examples of short-lasting hormonal birth control include birth control pills, shots, patches, and vaginal rings. You may have a period every month with conventional birth control pills or up to four times a year with continuous dosing birth control pills.
• Long-Lasting Contraceptives: Talk with a member of the OB/GYN medical team at Capital Women’s Care to find out if you’re a candidate for long-lasting birth control methods, such as hormonal implants or intrauterine devices. These methods can last up to 10 years. You would just need one visit to insert the device, which could be removed when you decide to have children.
• Sterilization: Sterilization is a birth control method that prevents pregnancy permanently when you no longer want to have kids. Examples of sterilization include tubal ligation or a hysterectomy to remove your uterus.

If you’re ready to discuss birth control options, book an appointment with Capital Women’s Care online or over the phone today.

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