Different Types of Contraceptives and Hormonal Birth Control
The type of birth control you choose will depend on a variety of factors. Dr. Gari and Dr. Duarte will help you navigate health concerns, lifestyle needs, and any risk factors so that you have a convenient method, and — more importantly — contraception that works.
Different types of birth control may include:
- Natural methods —fertility awareness (such as the rhythm method and family planning)
- Barrier methods— latex condoms, female condoms, cervical caps, and diaphragms along with aids such as
- Hormonal methods— birth control pills (oral contraceptives), a vaginal ring such as the Nuvaring, patch, or injections of the hormone progestin. Longer-acting methods include choices like IUDs and birth control implants in the upper arm
- Emergency contraception —referred to as the “morning-after pill.”
- Permanent birth control— tubal ligation, in which the fallopian tubes are blocked in female patients (or vasectomy for men)
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) in Miami
Women looking for a long-term birth control method often turn to intrauterine devices to deliver long-lasting protection from pregnancy. This choice is one of the most effective means of long term pregnancy prevention.
Unlike other forms of birth control, the IUD requires little maintenance and no complicated scheduling. It can help you take control of your sexual health while preserving the chance to have children, later on, should you change your mind.
How do IUDs work?
IUDs are tiny T-shaped devices implanted by your doctor or healthcare provider directly into the uterus. Hormonal IUDs release a small but ongoing amount of progestin, a naturally occurring hormone. It changes the uterine environment by thickening cervical mucus — which helps prevent sperm from binding to the egg — and thinning the uterine lining, which prevents implantation.
Non-hormonal IUDs, or copper IUDs, release a small amount of copper into the uterine lining, causing the same effects as hormonal IUD methods.
Once correctly placed, IUDs require no further pregnancy-prevention efforts to be effective. This birth control works to protect against pregnancy for five to ten years and is more than 99% effective, more efficient than oral contraceptive use.
What if I’ve had side effects from the birth control pill?
Patients who have had trouble in the past using a contraceptive pill, ring, or patch could be great candidates for IUD methods. Hormonal IUDs release a much smaller amount of hormone than oral contraceptives, while non-hormonal IUDs release none. This could be a viable alternative for your birth control needs.
The OBGYNs at Miami Women’s Health is ready to discuss your options to help you find a birth control method that works with your body to get back to feeling your best while preventing pregnancy.
What IUD options does Miami Women’s Health Offer?
At Miami Women’s Health, we offer the following IUDs:
- Mirena®– Of all the FDA-approved IUDs, Mirena releases the highest amount of hormone per day and is estimated to be effective for five years. Mirena will make your period lighter and last fewer days; it could even stop your periods altogether. For this reason, Mirena is preferred by women with heavy menstrual bleeding or painful periods and seeking a convenient long-term contraceptive method.
- Kyleena®– FDA-approved Kyleena offers a lower dose of hormones than Mirena for women who prefer to keep their monthly periods. It is also effective for up to 5 years.
- Paragard®– This is the only FDA-approved IUD that works as well as hormonal birth control but is hormone-free. It uses one active ingredient – copper — and is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Patients of Miami Women’s Health may opt for anesthesia during their IUD insertion or removal.
How to Get Birth Control Miami
When it comes to your reproductive health and birth control method, get the information you need to make the right choice for your body. Call Miami Women’s Health for a health consultation with Miami gynecologist Dr. Duarte and Dr. Gari to discuss your situation and concerns and learn everything you need to know.