Birth Control

What is birth control? 

Birth control, or contraception, is a medicine, method, or device that helps prevent pregnancy. There are many available birth control options for both men and women. You work with your provider jointly to determine the best form of birth control for you, depending on your:

• Age
• Lifestyle
• Personal preference
• Birth control history 
• Partner’s preference 
• Family-planning goals
• Health and gynecological history

LaSante Health Center provides expert birth control counseling and helps develop a contraception plan that best fits your needs. 

What are the options for birth control? 

You can choose from nonhormone and hormone-based birth control methods. 

Nonhormonal

Nonhormonal birth control includes female and male condoms, cervical diaphragm, or cervical cap. These methods work best with an added layer of protection, such as a spermicide, which prevents sperm from moving and fertilizing an egg. There is also a nonhormonal intrauterine device (IUD) available.

Hormonal

Hormonal birth control options include birth control pills, IUDs, and birth control shots. These methods affect your reproductive hormones in different ways, blocking the release of eggs from the ovaries or making the uterus inhospitable to a fertilized egg.  

These options are temporary birth control options. If you choose nonhormonal birth control, you can stop using it when you are ready to conceive. When you are using hormonal birth control, your provider guides you on how to prepare for pregnancy. 

Does birth control prevent STDs?

Birth control doesn’t necessarily prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), so it is important to know the limitations of your chosen method. For example, female and male condoms provide some protection against STDs, but birth control pills or IUDs do not. 

If you aren’t sure if your birth control helps you practice safe sex, ask your provider at LaSante Health Center. 

Are there permanent options for birth control? 

If you are ready to prevent pregnancy permanently, LaSante Health Center may recommend surgical sterilization. 

For women, a gynecological surgeon removes a portion of your fallopian tube, which carries eggs from the ovary. This procedure is called tubal ligation and is a highly effective form of permanent birth control. 

For men, a vasectomy is a surgical procedure that removes or ties off of the tube used to transfer sperm from the testicles to the vagina. Male sterilization is highly effective in preventing pregnancy permanently. 

Whether you are looking for a temporary solution for birth control or a permanent option for preventing pregnancy, call or schedule an appointment online with LaSante Health Center today.