When you think of birth control, you probably think of The Pill. Maybe you think of devices and methods you’ve seen from commercials or TV shows. Whatever comes to mind, there are plenty of birth control options available, both hormonal and non-hormonal.
Birth Control Doesn’t Have to Be Hormonal
When it comes to your birth control options, the world is your oyster. “Birth control” doesn’t necessarily mean pills or shots or any other hormonal medications. While these are the most popular options, there are several different types of birth control, including ones that don’t involve hormones, medications, or devices at all!
One of the non-hormonal forms of birth control we offer here at our office is Paragard. This intrauterine device releases copper from its wire, which wraps around the base and helps prevent fertility by setting off an inflammatory reaction in the uterus.
Paragard does not contain hormones as some other IUDs do. This device is very small, measuring in at a mere 1.26” x 1.42”. Its flexibility and size make it simple for our medical staff to insert and remove whenever you want. Once it is inserted, you shouldn’t feel it at all. Some benefits of Paragard include:
- 99% effective in preventing pregnancy
- Less than 1% of users contract pelvic inflammatory disease
- Hormone free
- Effective for up to 10 years
At our women’s care center in Florida, we do provide more popular methods of birth control in Kendall, such as IUD birth control and arm implants.
IUD Birth Control Options
An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a small device made of flexible plastic that is a long-acting, reversible form of birth control. This device prevents the fertilization of eggs in the uterus for a specified period of time, depending on the form of IUD you choose. Both the insertion and removal of the “T” shaped IUD is performed at our women’s care office in Florida by Dr. Susan Fox and our medical professionals.
At Dr. Susan Fox’s Center for Women, we have various IUD options for our patients to choose from. They are all safe, effective, and reversible, but offer different advantages. Our OB/GYN can explain all of our options for you and help you decide which one is best for your body.
IUD birth control is a great alternative to The Pill, as it requires little maintenance.
One of our more popular IUD birth control options is Nexplanon, a small, thin, and flexible arm implantation that provides patients with up to 3 years of continuous birth control. Your doctor will place the device under the skin of the patient’s inner, upper arm. During any point of the 3-year period, your doctor can remove the device.
The hormones in Nexplanon stop the ovaries from releasing eggs while preventing sperm from reaching the egg as well. The device works by releasing a small, steady hormone dosage into the patient’s bloodstream. Take a look at our other IUD birth control methods on our website.
Possible IUD Side Effects
The great thing about IUD birth control as opposed to The Pill is that IUDs do not require any form of daily intake or maintenance. IUD users find comfort in knowing that a reliable form of birth control is always in place and cannot be deterred by forgetfulness.
All of our IUD products have been tested and approved, causing only minor side effects in the vast majority of women. Some of these side effects may include:
- Pelvic pain or cramping
- Irregular menstrual bleeding
- Swelling or inflammation
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Weight fluctuation
- Acne
- Fatigue
If any of the above symptoms worsen or progress, you should contact our offices immediately.
Women’s Care Florida | Birth Control in Kendall
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff at our Kendall office is happy to answer any of your questions about birth control and assist you in choosing the right one for your body. Give us a call today or schedule an appointment right here on our website!
