When it comes to birth control, there is a host of options that meet every lifestyle and goal, from temporary measures to longer-term fixes. Dr. Heather Leslie-Brown, OB/GYN at Brown’s Women’s Care in Monroe, North Carolina, offers solutions that take the guesswork out of birth control and help you find a birth control method that’s best for you.
In general, birth control for women falls into two categories: hormonal and barrier. Hormonal birth control methods use hormones to regulate and control your ovulation, preventing pregnancy. Barrier control methods hinder the fertilization process by preventing the sperm from reaching your egg. Under each classification, there are several options.
Hormonal Birth Control
Barrier birth control
In addition to these temporary measures, more permanent forms of birth control are available, such as a tubal ligation or a hysterectomy.
Choosing the right birth control method will depend entirely on your situation and your goals. It is important to note upfront that condoms are the only form of birth control that protects against sexually transmitted diseases. The other types of birth control help prevent unwanted pregnancy but not the transmission of infections.
In deciding upon a birth control method, you will want to take into account your habits, your lifestyle, and your medical history. For example, if you don’t do well with hormone regulation, you may want to look at the different forms of barrier control, which range from situational to more permanent.
At Brown’s Women’s Care, Dr. Leslie-Brown offers most forms of birth control, including:
Dr. Leslie-Brown will review all the available options with you to help you choose the right solution.
Birth control is only as effective as how you use it. For example, using a sponge without spermicide lowers its effectiveness by up to 20%. Hormonal birth control methods can offer up to 99% protection, but if you skip a pill or a shot, you may lower this number considerably.
Dr. Leslie-Brown will ensure that you understand the efficacy of each birth control method and help you choose one that offers the best protection for your situation.
We provide routine health screenings and examinations, education and counseling on reproductive and sexual health, a wide range of treatment options for various gynecological conditions, preconception counseling, NC area, including:
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