Birth Control

A contraceptive management plan is something that the patient and the OB-GYN will create and implement as a team. Each woman is unique and has individual birth control needs and concerns. The doctor and patient will discuss all the options for contraception and then make a decision based on both the current and future plans of the patient.

The IUD is one of the most effective kinds of birth control possible today. IUDs are more than 99 percent effective. Less than 1 out of every 100 women who use an IUD for birth control will get pregnant.

There are two basic types of IUD available today. The hormone-based IUD (Skyla or Mirena) can be used for 3 or 5 years respectively for birth control. The Copper T IUD (Paragard) can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. Both types of IUD can have their individual benefits.

A woman can begin trying to conceive immediately after an IUD is removed if desired. Other birth control methods, such as oral contraceptives, generally require a waiting period before a woman can try to conceive.

There are many other birth control options available, although the IUD is generally considered to be the most effective option today. Oral contraceptives can be as effective as the IUD, however, they often are not simply because of human error. The only way to get peak effectiveness from oral contraceptives is to take them precisely as directed, never missing a dose, and never taking a dose late. Every woman has her own specific needs when it comes to contraception and family planning, so it is important to have an OB-GYN who will support the patient fully.