Birth Control Treatments
Birth control is how you prevent pregnancy. There are lots of different birth control options out there. We’re here to help you figure it all out. Here at Evolve Wellness in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we’re here to help you figure it all out. We will determine which (if any) treatment is medically appropriate for you based on your symptoms and health history. See list of treatment options below.
What is the birth control shot?
The Depo shot (AKA Depo-Provera) is an injection you get once every 3 months. It’s a safe, convenient, and private birth control method that works well if you always get it on time.
How does the birth control shot work?
The birth control shot (sometimes called Depo-Provera, the Depo shot, or DMPA) contains the hormone progestin. Progestin stops you from getting pregnant by preventing ovulation. When there’s no egg in the tube, pregnancy can’t happen. It also works by making cervical mucus thicker. When the mucus on the cervix is thicker, the sperm can’t get through. And when the sperm and the egg can’t get together, pregnancy can’t happen.
What is the birth control patch?
The transdermal contraceptive patch is a safe and convenient birth control method that works well if you always use it correctly. You wear the patch on certain parts of your body, and it releases hormones through your skin that prevent pregnancy. The patch has lots of other health benefits, too.
There are two brands of birth control patches available in the U.S.: the Xulane patch and the Twirla patch.
How do I make the patchwork best for me?
To get the patch’s full birth control powers, you have to use it correctly. Making a mistake — like forgetting to refill your prescription or not putting on a new patch on time — is the main reason why people might get pregnant when they’re using the patch.
Here are some tips to help you stay on schedule:
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Use birth control reminder apps, or set a weekly alarm on your phone.
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Note your patch change days on your calendar.
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Be patch buddies with friends or family members who also use the patch, and help each other remember.
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Your partner can help remind you.
It’s also important to store and use your patch correctly:
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Keep your replacement patches in the same place so you don’t lose them.
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Store your patches at room temperature, and away from direct sunlight. Don’t store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Keep each patch sealed in its pouch until right before you put it on.
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Check your patch once a day to make sure it’s still sticking to your skin correctly.
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Don’t put your patch in a place where it can be rubbed by tight clothes (like the waistband of your pants or underwear).
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Make sure the skin where you’re going to put the patch is clean and dry. Don’t use lotion, oils, creams, powder, or makeup on your patch area.
Bottom line: do whatever works for you to make sure you use your patch correctly all the time.
Want to be extra super-duper sure you don’t accidentally get pregnant? You can use a condom with the patch every time you have penis-in-vagina sex. That way you’ll be protected from STDs, too.
How effective is the birth control pill?
If you use it perfectly, the pill is 99% effective. But people aren’t perfect and it’s easy to forget or miss pills — so in reality the pill is about 93% effective. That means about 7 out of 100 pill users get pregnant each year.
What lowers the birth control pill’s effectiveness?
The main thing that makes the pill not work is not taking it every day. But other things, like vomiting or having diarrhea for more than 48 hours (2 days) may lower how well the pill prevents pregnancy.
These medicines or supplements can also make the pill not work as well:
• The antibiotic Rifampin (other antibiotics don’t make the pill less effective)
• The antifungal Griseofulvin (other antifungals don’t make the pill less effective)
• Certain HIV medicines
• Certain anti-seizure medicines (these are sometimes also used to treat psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder)
• The herb St. John’s Wort
If you take any of these while you’re on the pill, use condoms as a backup method. Switch to a different method of birth control if you’ll be on them for a long time.
What is the birth control ring?
The birth control ring (AKA the vaginal ring, or the ring) is a safe and convenient birth control method that works well if you always use it correctly. You wear a small, flexible ring inside your vagina, and it prevents pregnancy 24/7 by releasing hormones into your body. The ring has lots of other health benefits, too. There are 2 kinds of birth control rings: NuvaRing and Annovera.
How Does NuvaRing Work?
Each NuvaRing lasts for up to 5 weeks. You take your old NuvaRing out of your vagina and put in a new one about once a month, depending on the ring schedule you choose. You can also use NuvaRing to safely skip your period if you want to.
How do I make the ring work best for me?
To get the vaginal ring's full birth control powers, you have to use it correctly. Making a mistake — like forgetting to refill your prescription or not putting your ring in on time — is the main reason why people might get pregnant when they’re using the ring.
Here are some ways to help make sure you stay on schedule:
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Use the birth control reminder app or set an alarm on your phone.
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Use a calendar to mark the days you need to take out the ring, put in the ring, and get a new ring.
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Be birth control buddies with friends or family members who also use the ring, and help each other remember.
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Your partner can help remind you.
Do whatever works for you to make sure you use the ring correctly and replace it on time, all the time.
It’s also important to take care of your birth control ring properly:
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Keep your ring(s) in the same place so you don’t lose them.
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Store NuvaRings at room temperature, and away from direct sunlight for up to 4 months (16 weeks). Keep any NuvaRings that you won’t use within 4 months in the refrigerator.
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When you take Annovera out, wash the ring with mild soap and lukewarm water, pat it dry with a clean paper towel or cloth, and store it in the case. Keep Annovera away from children, pets, and extreme temperatures when it’s out of your body. Don’t put Annovera in the refrigerator.
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When the ring is in your vagina, don’t use any vaginal products with oil or silicone in them — no oil or silicone-based suppositories, creams, gels, or lubricants. Water-based lubes are OK to use.
What’s an IUD?
An IUD is a tiny device that's put into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods out there.
What does an IUD stand for?
IUD stands for Intrauterine Device (basically: a device inside your uterus). It's a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. Sometimes it’s called an IUC — intrauterine contraception.
What are the types of IUDs?
There are 5 different brands of IUDs that are FDA - approved for use in the United States:
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Paragard
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Mirena
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Kyleena
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Liletta
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Skyla
What is the birth control implant?
The birth control implant (AKA Nexplanon) is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. The implant releases hormones into your body that prevent you from getting pregnant. A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into your arm and that’s it — you’re protected from pregnancy for up to 5 years. It’s get-it-and-forget-it birth control.
How does the implant work?
The birth control implant is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. It’s also called Nexplanon and there’s a slightly older version called Implanon. A doctor inserts the implant under the skin of your upper arm. It releases the hormone progestin to stop you from getting pregnant.
The hormones in the birth control implant prevent pregnancy in two ways:
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Progestin thickens the mucus on your cervix, which stops sperm from swimming through to your egg. When sperm can’t meet up with an egg, pregnancy can’t happen.
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Progestin can also stop eggs from leaving your ovaries (called ovulation), so there’s no egg to fertilize. When eggs aren’t released, you can’t get pregnant.
One of the awesome things about the implant is that it lasts for a long time — up to 5 years — but it’s not permanent. If you decide you want to get pregnant or you just don’t want to have your implant anymore, your doctor can take it out. You’re able to get pregnant quickly after the implant is removed.