Finding the Right Birth Control
Posted on May 5, 2022 at 10:00 AM by Gabrielson Clinic
With so many birth control options out there, finding the right option for you can be overwhelming. The Gabrielson Clinic for Women works to help women understand their options and find the best birth control in Iowa for them. We offer a variety of both reversible and permanent birth control options.
How to Pick the Right Birth Control for You
There are many different forms of birth control to choose between and a number of factors to consider when making your choice. Key factors to consider include the length of time the birth control is effective, surgical vs nonsurgical options, and hormonal vs non-hormonal birth control options. It’s best to find a few options that work best for you and then discuss those options with a women's healthcare professional.
Hormonal Birth Control Options
Hormonal birth control options work with your body's endocrine system to prevent eggs from being released from the ovaries, thicken the cervical mucus, and thin the uterus lining. Hormonal options work as effective birth control and in some cases can also help treat menstrual irregularities (irregular periods).
These options vary in the amount of time that they are effective as well as the necessary frequency of use. We offer the three different hormonal birth control methods:
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Birth control pills
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A birth control patch
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Nuvaring (a birth control ring)
Lasts for: pills are taken daily, patches are usually changed weekly, and Nuvaring is changed every 3-5 weeks
Long-Term Birth Control Options
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implantation devices (birth control implants) are up to 99% effective and can be taken out at any time a patient wishes. We offer the six different IUD and birth control implant options:
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NEXPLANON®: A hormone-replacing implant placed under the skin, typically in the arm
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Mirena®: A progestin-containing IUD implant
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PARAGARD: A copper IUD, a form of nonhormonal birth control
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Skyla®: A progestin-containing IUD implant
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Kyleena®: A hormone-releasing IUD
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Liletta®: A hormone-releasing IUD
Lasts for: up to 3-10 years
Surgical Birth Control Options
Tubal Ligation
At our women's clinic, we offer laparoscopic tubal ligation. In this procedure, we make small incisions and block a woman’s fallopian tubes, preventing pregnancy.
Lasts for: permanent, unless reversed (reversal is not successful 100% of the time)
Barrier Contraception Methods
These contraceptive methods are only to be used during sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. We offer the two different barrier birth control methods:
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Condoms
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Spermicide
Lasts for: one-time use
Expert, Compassionate Gynecology Services
At the Gabrielson Clinic for Women, we offer a wide range of women's health services. Our expert gynecologists can help with everything from routine pap smears to choosing the right birth control option.