Birth Control Options

If you are having a termination of pregnancy at our Center, we can provide you with birth control options for three months following your procedure. This gives you time to schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN for a women's wellness exam. We offer three birth control options:

Birth Control Pill | Depo Provera Injection | Nuva Ring

Birth Control Pill

What is the birth control pill?
The birth control pill is a pregnancy prevention method that requires taking a small pill containing hormones at the same time every day.

How does the birth control pill work?
The pills contain a combination of estrogen and progestin. Combination pills prevent pregnancy by preventing a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). They also thicken the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from joining with an egg. Taking the pill daily, at the same time each day, maintains the level of hormone that is needed to prevent pregnancy.

What is the pill's effectiveness?
The pill is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control. Of 100 women who use the pill with complete compliance, less than one will become pregnant during the first year of typical use.

However, certain medicines and supplements may make the pill less effective. These include:

• the antibiotic rifampin (other antibiotics do not make the pill less effective)
• certain anti-fungals that are taken orally for yeast infections
• certain anti-HIV protease inhibitors
• certain anti-seizure medications
• St. John's Wort
• Vomiting and diarrhea may also keep the pill from working effectively. Ask your personal OB/GYN for advice if you are experiencing these symptoms. Until you are sure that the pill is working effectively, use an additional method of birth control.

Advantages of the pill:
Taking the pill is simple, safe, and convenient. Many women who take the pill have fewer menstrual cramps and lighter periods. The pill also offers some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease, which often leads to infertility when left untreated.

The pill does not interfere with having sex. Many women say it has improved their sex lives because it helps them feel more spontaneous.

The combination pill offers many other benefits, including some protection against: acne, cancer of the lining of the uterus, cancer of the ovaries, ectopic pregnancy, excess body hair, iron deficiency anemia that can result from heavy menses, non-cancerous breast growths, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts, premenstrual symptoms, as well as related headaches and depression, vaginal dryness and painful intercourse related to menopause.

Disadvantages of the Pill:
As with all drugs, there may be some undesirable side effects for some women taking the pill.

Side effects that usually clear up after two or three months include: bleeding between periods, breast tenderness, headache, nausea;, vomiting, change in sexual desire and depression.

Nausea and vomiting may be reduced by taking the pill with the evening meal or at bedtime. (Do not stop taking the pill if you feel sick to your stomach.)

If you continue to experience side effects after three months, your clinician will adjust the prescription.

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The Depo-Provera Injection

What is the Depo-Provera Injection?
The Depo-Provera Injection is a pregnancy prevention method that given to you by a medical professional through an injection in your upper arm, thigh or buttocks) every three months.

How does the Depo-Provera Injection work?
The Depo-Provera Injection uses a hormone similar to the progesterone made by a woman's ovaries to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). It also thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from joining egg.

What is the injection's effectiveness?
Depo-Provera is 97-99.7% effective. Of every 1000 women who use this method, 3 will become pregnant during the first year of use. This is one of the most effective methods of birth control.

Advantages of the Depo-Provera:
There are many advantages of the Depo-Provera injections including: ability to be used by women who cannot take estrogen, can be used while breastfeeding, effective for 12 weeks, no pill to take daily, and helps prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus.

Disadvantages of the Depo-Provera:
As with any medication, there are some side effects associated with Depo-Provera including: irregular bleeding patterns, headache, nausea, dizziness, breast tenderness; must receive injection every three months; loss of monthly period, change of appetite, weight gain, depression, hair loss, or increased hair on the face or body, nervousness, skin rash or spotty darkening of the skin, change in sex drive, side effects not reversed until medication wears off (up to 12 weeks), causes temporary bone thinning - talk with your clinician about the risks; may cause delay in getting pregnant after shots are stopped; pregnancies, which rarely occur, are more likely to be ectopic (not in the uterus).

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The Nuva Ring

What is the Nuva Ring?
The Nuva Ring is a small, flexible ring containing hormones that is inserted into the vagina once a month. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week, during which time you will menstruate.

How does the Nuva Ring work?
The ring releases synthetic estrogen and progestin to protect against pregnancy for one month. The combination of hormones works in two ways. Usually, it keeps the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). Less often it thickens the cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from joining with an egg.

What is the Nuva Ring's effectiveness?
Although no studies have yet been published because it is a relatively new form of pregnancy prevention, it is assumed that the ring will be more effective than the pill. Studies show that fewer than one woman out of every 100 women who use the pill will become pregnant with perfect use.

Pregnancy can happen if an error is made in using the ring - especially if the unopened package is exposed to very high temperatures or direct sunlight; it slips out of the vagina and is not replaced within three hours; it does not stay in the vagina for three weeks in a row or it is left in the vagina for more than three weeks.

Certain medicines can reduce the effectiveness of the ring. The medications include: the antibiotic rifampin; certain drugs used to treat mental illness or to control seizures; certain anti-fungals that are taken orally for yeast infections and certain HIV protease inhibitors.

Advantages of Nuva Ring:
The ring does not involve taking a daily pill, require the use of spermicide, or require a "fitting" by a clinician.

Many women who use the ring have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods. And a woman's ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use of the ring is stopped.

The ring does not interfere with having sex, and may improve a woman's sex life. Some women say they feel free to be more spontaneous because they do not have to worry about becoming pregnant.

Results of long-term studies won't be available for some time, but researchers assume that the non-contraceptive advantages associated with the Ring are similar to those known to be associated with the pill. These health benefits may include some protection against: irregular menstrual cycles; infection of the fallopian tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease), which often leads to infertility; ectopic pregnancy (in the fallopian tubes); non-cancerous breast growths; ovarian cysts; cancer of the ovaries; cancer of the lining of the uterus; troublesome menstrual cramps; iron deficiency anemia that results from heavy menses; acne; premenstrual symptoms, as well as related headaches and depression; excess body hair; osteoporosis - loss of bone mass; vaginal dryness and painful intercourse associated with menopause.

Disadvantages of Nuva Ring:
As with all medications, there may be some undesirable side effects for some women taking combined hormone contraceptives. However, the ring is much safer than pregnancy and childbirth for healthy women - except among smokers age 35 and older. Side effects that usually clear up after two or three months of use include: bleeding between periods; weight gain or loss; breast tenderness; nausea; vomiting; changes in mood; increased vaginal discharge; vaginal irritation or infection.

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