BIRTH CONTROL OPTIONS
Advances in technology have provided modern-day women a significant level of control over decisions surrounding when and if they choose to become pregnant. Birth control needs vary significantly from patient to patient, and what works in the context of one woman’s life, may be unfeasible for another. Factors such as health, frequency of sex, number of sex partners, desire to have children, side effects, and personal preferences must all be taken into consideration when choosing a contraceptive method.
While the plethora of birth control choices currently on the market enables women to be selective when making contraception choices, it can also make the decision-making process feel overwhelming. It is extremely helpful to have a knowledgeable practitioner to guide you throughout this process, who can help you to navigate the complex medical jargon and how different chemicals/hormones will impact your health.
At OBGYN on the Park, with convenient office locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, NY, our well-respected team of board certified Obstetricians/Gynecologists make it a priority to keep abreast of the latest advances and developments in contraceptive care in order to provide their patients with a wide variety of birth control choices, and to ensure that each patients is able to find a method that meets her unique lifestyle and health-related needs.
Some of the most common birth control methods are listed below:
- Natural Family Planning/Rhythm Method
- Hormonal Methods
- Vaginal ring
- Patch
- Injection/shot
- Oral Contraceptive (pill)
- Barrier Methods (female or male condom, diaphragm, sponge, cervical cap, cervical shield)
- Implantable Devices
- Intrauterine Device (IUD)
- Hormonal IUD
- Copper IUD
- Intrauterine Device (IUD)
- Implantable Rod (Implanon)
- Permanent Birth Control
- Surgical sterilization
- Sterilization implant
- Emergency Contraception (morning after pill, Plan-B)
IUD PLACEMENT/REMOVAL
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped device that is implanted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two primary types of IUDs:
- Hormonal: hormonal IUDs (i.e. Mirena) release progestin into the uterus, thereby preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg and thickening the cervical mucus so that the sperm cannot reach the egg. These devices can remain in the uterus for up to 5 years and must be inserted by a physician.
- Copper: copper IUDs (i.e. ParaGuard) release a small amount of copper into the uterus, which stops the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. Should fertilization occur, the copper IUD prevents implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine lining. The copper IUD can remain in the uterus for 5-10 years and must be inserted by a doctor.
After assessing your health, personal preferences, and medical sensitivities, the physicians at OBGYN on the Park will advise you as to whether a copper or hormonal IUD is the optimal birth control method for your needs, and will safely insert (and later remove) your IUD.
Contact OBGYN on the Park
At OBGYN on the Park, we take pride in providing a superior level of patient care and clinical expertise in a compassionate and comfortable environment. Our exceptional staff members are experts in the field of Obstetrics/Gynecology and all our physician are faculty members at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. As a patient at OBGYN on the Park, you will experience an unparalleled level of attentiveness and responsiveness—we will always make time to thoroughly address every question and concern you might have, and will work tirelessly to ensure that your experience is a positive one.
Our multidisciplinary approach involves cooperative collaboration with your primary care physician and a network of highly esteemed specialists (when necessary) in order to create a customized treatment plan that meets your unique obstetric/gynecological concerns. We look forward to speaking with you, and to scheduling your initial appointment with one of our board certified physicians.