Birth control pills are a simple, safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. Take one pill a day, at the same time every day, and you are protected against unplanned pregnancy. The pill uses hormones to prevent ovulation and thicken your cervical mucus lining. Once you stop taking the pill, you will return to fertility—the pill has no effect on your ability to get pregnant in the future.
While taking the pill, many women feel about the same. Your period should become very predictable, coming in the last week of the pill pack. If you have bleeding at other times of the month, continue taking the pills as usual. Over time, your periods will be lighter, shorter, and less painful. The pill also lowers your risk of getting cancer of the uterus and ovaries. In the first two to three months of use, some women experience nausea, bleeding between periods, weight change, and/or breast tenderness or swelling. These problems often go away after those first few months. If they do not, reach out to your medical provider to find a birth control method that is right for you.
The pill does not protect against the spread of STIs, so condoms are still recommended. If you stop taking the pill and have unprotected sex, take Emergency Contraception (EC) right away. EC can prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better it works.
How do I start the pill?
What if I miss pills?
Call your health provider if you experience these RARE symptoms:
The birth control patch is a simple, safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. The patch is a thin, beige piece of plastic that looks like a square Band-Aid, less than two inches across. The patch is placed on certain parts of your body, once a week. The patch uses hormones to prevent ovulation and thicken your cervical mucus lining. Once you stop taking the patch, you will return to fertility—the patch has no effect on your ability to get pregnant in the future.
While taking the patch, many women feel about the same. Your period should become very predictable, coming in the week where you do not wear a patch. If you have bleeding at other times of the month, continue using the patch as usual. Over time, your periods will be lighter, shorter, and less painful. The patch also lowers your risk of getting cancer of the uterus and ovaries. In the first two to three months of use, some women experience nausea, bleeding between periods, weight change, and/or breast tenderness or swelling. These problems often go away after those first few months. If they do not, reach out to your medical provider to find a birth control method that is right for you.
The patch does not protect against the spread of STIs, so condoms are still recommended. If you stop taking the patch and have unprotected sex, take Emergency Contraception (EC) right away. EC can prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better it works.
How do I use the patch?
How do I start the patch?
What if the patch comes off?
What if I forget to change the patch after 7 days?
Call your health care provider if you experience these RARE symptoms:
An IUD is a small T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus by a medical provider as a form of birth control. IUDs use either hormones or copper to affect the way sperm cells move, preventing fertilization of an egg. Hormonal IUDs promote the thickening of cervical mucus, which blocks sperm and prevents it from joining an egg. The copper IUD may also be used as emergency contraception.
IUDs are a long acting reversible contraceptive method, and one of the most effective. Once the IUD is inserted you are protected for three to ten years, depending on the specific IUD.
While the IUD is a great form of birth control, it does not protect against the spread of STIs, so condoms are still recommended.
Read the steps below to learn more about IUD placements at the SHC.
Consultation
Scheduling an insertion appointment
Before your insertion appointment
On the day of your insertion appointment
After your insertion appointment
The Vaginal Ring is a simple, safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. Wear one ring a month and you are protected against unintended pregnancy. The ring uses hormones to prevent ovulation and thicken your cervical mucus lining. Once you stop using the ring, you will return to fertility—the ring has no effect on your ability to get pregnant in the future.
While using the ring, women may experience side effects, both positive and negative. In the first two to three months of use, some women experience nausea, bleeding between periods, weight change, and/or breast tenderness or swelling. These problems are common and often go away after the first few months. If they do not, reach out to your medical provider to find a birth control method that is right for you. Many women also report feeling positive side effects throughout their duration of use. Periods often become very predictable, coming in the fourth week when you are not wearing the ring. Over time, periods become lighter, shorter, and less painful. The ring also lowers your risk of getting cancer of the uterus and ovaries. If you change the ring on time and stick to your schedule, the ring is up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. If you miss or delay, the ring is 91-94% effective. No method of birth control is 100% effective.
The ring does not protect against the spread of STIs, so condoms are still recommended. If you stop taking the ring and have unprotected sex, take Emergency Contraception (EC) right away. EC can prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better it works.
How do I use the vaginal ring?
How do I start the ring?
What if the ring comes out or I forget?
Call your healthcare provider if you experience these RARE symptoms:
The implant is a simple, safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. One implant will protect against unintended pregnancy for up to three years. The implant uses a progestin-only hormone to prevent ovulation and thicken your cervical mucus lining. Once you stop using the implant, you will return to fertility—the implant has no effect on your ability to get pregnant in the future.
While using the implant, women may experience side effects, both positive and negative. In the first three to six months of use, some women experience irregular bleeding. This could mean spotting in between periods or heavier periods. Less common side effects include mood changes, weight gain, headache, acne, and/or skin changes around the area of implant placement. If these side effects do not go away after six months and start to interfere with your daily life, reach out to your medical provider to find a birth control method that is right for you. Positive side effects include not having to worry about a daily form of birth control, fewer and lighter periods, safe for women who can’t take estrogen, safe to use while breastfeeding, and safe for those with hypertension and diabetes. The implant is up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. No method of birth control is 100% effective.
The implant does not protect against the spread of STIs, so condoms are still recommended. If you remove the implant and have unprotected sex, take Emergency Contraception (EC) right away. EC can prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better it works.
How is the implant placed?
How do I use the implant?
Source: Bedsider