Birth Control Options in Gillette, WY
Unexpected pregnancy can create undue stress in your life. If you’re waiting to have children — or have all the children you want — safe temporary, semi-permanent and permanent birth control options are available to maximize your convenience.
Select the right birth control method for your individual lifestyle.
- Pill – Once-a-day birth control pills work by preventing ovulation (no egg is released), and by thickening the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to swim. While effective at preventing pregnancy (if used correctly), birth control pills do not guard against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Implant (Nexplanon) – Similar to birth control pills, implants slowly release a hormone into your body that prevents pregnancy. One of our providers will place the small implant in your upper arm, which lasts up to 3 years. This implant guards against human error — once the implant is in place, you don’t have to think about it until you either wish to get pregnant or it’s at the end of its effectiveness period.
- Patch – About the size of a quarter, the patch releases the same hormones as the birth control pill. You’ll place a new patch each week for 3 weeks, followed by a week without any patch. Certain medications can make the patch less effective, so make sure you detail your medication regimen when speaking to your doctor.
- Shot (Depo-Provera) – A simple shot once every 3 months prevents pregnancy using the same hormonal mechanism as the birth control pill.
- Sponge – A soft, two-inch “cap” for the cervix, the sponge functions by physically blocking the cervix and eliminating sperm with spermicide. It can be left in place for up to 30 hours.
- Vaginal ring (NuvaRing) – This is a small, flexible ring that you insert into your vagina once a month and remove after 3 weeks. Working in a way similar to birth control pills, the ring releases hormones to prevent pregnancy.
- Cervical cap – A silicone cap fits over your cervix, blocking sperm from reaching the egg. The cervical cap should be used with spermicide, and it can be inserted up to 6 hours before intercourse.
- Diaphragm – Similar to the cervical cap, only larger, the diaphragm works by blocking sperm from entering the cervix via a physical barrier and spermicide.
- Female condom – The female condom is a small pouch that goes inside the vagina and prevents pregnancy (and guards againsts STIs) through a physical barrier.
- Intrauterine device (IUD) – This is a small, T-shaped device that sits just inside the uterus. IUDs work in two different ways: copper and hormone therapy. Sperm doesn’t like copper, so it avoids it, never swimming near the egg. Hormonal IUDs work in a way similar to the birth control pill: by stopping ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus. A major benefit of IUDs is their longevity. Copper IUDs last 10 years, and hormonal IUDs last 3 to 5 years.
- Tubal sterilization – By removing all or part of your fallopian tubes, we can permanently obstruct the only pathway between the ovaries and the uterus, preventing pregnancy.
Selecting the right birth control method is an important, personal decision for every woman. A friend’s recommendation doesn’t mean it will work well for your lifestyle! Ask one of our OB/GYN providers about your options. We’re happy to give you the pros and cons of each method to help guide your decision-making process.