Methods we offer
- Birth control pills
- The vaginal ring
- The patch
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs), hormonal and copper
- The Depo-Provera shot (DMPA)
- Contraceptive implants
- Tubal ligation, for permanent birth control
- Emergency contraception (Plan B)
- Diaphragms and condoms
- Fertility awareness methods, including CycleBeads and natural cycle tracking
Choosing between them
The questions worth thinking about are practical ones. Do you want to think about it every day, once a week, every few months, or not for years? Do you want hormones or not? Do you want something you can stop on your own, or something a clinician removes? Do you want children in the next few years?
Your health history matters too. Some methods are not a good fit with certain conditions or medications, which is why this is worth a conversation rather than a guess.
Starting and switching
You can start most methods at your visit. If you are already using something that is not working for you, whether because of side effects or because it is just inconvenient, come and talk about switching. That is a normal thing to do, not a failure.
No method except abstinence prevents pregnancy every single time, and none of them except condoms protects you from sexually transmitted infections.
Frequently asked questions
Which birth control is the most effective?
IUDs and implants are the most effective reversible methods, mainly because there is nothing to remember. Sterilization is the most effective permanent one. Your doctor will go through the real differences with you.
Can I get birth control at the same visit?
In most cases yes. Call us and explain what you are looking for, and we will tell you what to expect at the visit.
Does birth control make you gain weight?
It depends on the method and the person. Some people notice a change, others do not. If something is not agreeing with you, come back and we will try a different one.
Can I get birth control right after an abortion?
Yes, and it is worth doing. You can become pregnant again very soon afterwards, so we will bring it up at your follow-up.
