Contraception Specialist

Which type of birth control do I need?

Gone are the days when your best option for preventing unwanted pregnancy was to remember to take a pill at the same time every day. While oral hormonal contraceptives are certainly an option for you and are still one of the most popular types of birth control, you also have plenty of other solutions available if you want something different.

Depending on your lifestyle, overall health, and family planning needs, you may benefit from any of the following types of birth control solutions.

• Birth control vaginal ring
• Birth control shot
• Birth control implant
• Birth control patch
• Intrauterine device (IUD)

Or if your family is complete, it could time to consider tubal ligation, more commonly known as having your tubes tied. As an alternative, you may be a candidate for an in-office tubal implant. This form of nonsurgical female sterilization involves placing a tiny coil into each fallopian tube, so scar tissue builds up to form a permanent blockage.

Which type of birth control is most effective?

If you’re planning to have children in the future or still trying to decide, you want a form of birth control that’s highly effective, but won’t impact your future fertility. Some of the most effective and top-requested types of birth control Allcare for Women offers include:

• NuvaRing® vaginal ring you replace monthly (91% effective)
• Depo-Provera® shot you get every three months (94% effective)
• Nexplanon® implant, which lasts up to five years (99% effective)
• Patch, which needs replacing weekly (91% effective)
• IUDs, which need replacing every 3-12 years (99% effective)

Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud also offers a wide variety of oral hormonal contraceptive pills, which can be over 91% effective when taken as directed.  

Even though prescription birth control solutions are highly effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy, they don’t protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud recommends using a barrier method, such as a male condom, to reduce your risk of STDs.

How do I talk to my doctor about birth control?

Finding the right type of birth control for your family planning needs can be overwhelming. When you visit Allcare for Women for your evaluation, Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud may need to know the following information.

• Your personal and family medical history
• The first day of your last menstrual cycle
• When and if you plan to have children in the future
• Your history of pregnancies, including miscarriages or stillborn births
• Lifestyle choices, such as whether you are a smoker

Dr. Leaphart-St. Cloud spends time talking with you about your lifestyle and going over all of the birth control solutions that may be best for you. She provides you with the education you need to make an informed decision.

If you’re ready to get started on birth control or want to find out more information, book an exam at Allcare for Women today. Schedule either online or over the phone.