Contraception Specialist

What is contraception?

Contraception, or birth control, is a treatment that significantly reduces your chance of becoming pregnant when you’re sexually active. Numerous types of contraception are available to choose from based on your lifestyle, health, and preferences.

What are the different types of contraception?

Some of the many types of contraception options available at Westlake Women’s Health Specialists include:

Oral hormone contraception

Taking oral hormone pills or birth control pills is a simple way to help prevent pregnancy. However, you must remember to take your pills exactly as directed for them to work properly. These medications manipulate your hormones to safely stop ovulation each month. They also thicken the mucus on your cervix to make it harder for sperm to pass through. 

Intrauterine devices 

An intrauterine contraception device is a tiny device Dr. Mandelman inserts into your uterus through your vagina to prevent pregnancy. If you’d like to get pregnant in the future, she can remove it. This option is very low maintenance and highly effective in preventing pregnancy when implanted.

She can place a non-hormonal intrauterine device (Paragard) or a hormonal IUD such as Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena, or Liletta.

Diaphragm fittings

Inserting a diaphragm — a small flexible cup — into your vagina right before sexual intercourse can significantly reduce your chance of getting pregnant. Dr. Mandelman can fit you for a diaphragm and teach you to use it properly. You must remember to use your diaphragm every time you have sexual intercourse for it to prevent pregnancy effectively.

Nexplanon®

Nexplanon is a tiny rod that Dr. Mandelman can insert underneath the skin in your upper arm to prevent pregnancy for several years. She can remove it if or when you’d like to become pregnant. Like an IUD, Nexplanon is low maintenance and is highly effective for pregnancy prevention.

Depo-Provera®

Dr. Mandelman also offers a birth control shot (injection) called Depo-Provera to reduce your chance of getting pregnant. You have to come in for the shot every three months so it can prevent ovulation and thicken your cervical mucus. 

NuvaRing®

NuvaRing is a tiny, flexible piece of plastic inserted into your vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It’s similar to an IUD but isn’t quite as low-maintenance. However, it’s easier to stop using it quickly if you decide you want to get pregnant. 

Sterilization

Sterilization is a type of permanent birth control. Westlake Women’s Health Specialists offers laparoscopic bilateral tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied) and bilateral salpingectomy (fallopian tube removal) to permanently prevent pregnancy. While tubal ligation is reversible, you can’t count on getting pregnant after undergoing this procedure.

Natural family planning

Westlake Women’s Health Specialists offers natural family planning to help you become pregnant when you’re ready. You can keep track of your ovulation cycle to find the best times to attempt a pregnancy or avoid one. 

Which type of contraception is right for me?

To find out which type of contraception is the best fit for you, Dr. Mandelman reviews your medical history, lifestyle, and preferences. She completes a physical examination and may recommend you undergo blood tests or other forms of diagnostic testing as needed. Every woman is different, and at Westlake Women’s Health Specialists, you have a voice in your care.

If you’re sexually active but would like to avoid becoming pregnant, schedule a contraception consultation with Westlake Women’s Health Specialists by phone or book online today.