Birth Control Specialist

How does birth control work?

Each type of birth control works a little differently, although they all have the same goal: Preventing pregnancy. Below are descriptions of some of the most common types of contraception and how they work.

Hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control stops ovulation each month and changes your cervical mucus to make it more difficult for sperm to travel. It also causes changes in the lining of your uterus to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.

Hormonal birth control options include:

• Oral contraceptive pills
• Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Nexplanon® arm implant
• Ortho Evra skin patch
• Depo-Provera® injections
• NuvaRing®

Each hormonal contraceptive has its benefits, and the team can help you find the right option for you.

Non-hormonal birth control

If you don’t want hormonal birth control, non-hormonal options can also be effective in preventing pregnancy. Natural family planning is a method that involves tracking your cycle and avoiding sexual intercourse on your most fertile days.

Along with hormonal IUDs, there are copper IUDs that don’t contain hormones. Copper repels sperm, so sperm can’t enter your Fallopian tubes and fertilize an egg.

Spermicidal products can also prevent pregnancy. These products, when used correctly, kill sperm cells, so they don’t cause pregnancy.

Barrier methods

Barrier methods of birth control, including the male and female condom, as well as the diaphragm, block sperm from reaching eggs. With male condoms, for instance, semen is collected in the reservoir, so it can’t enter the vaginal canal. Female barrier methods are placed inside your vagina and cover your cervix to block sperm. 

Does birth control protect against sexually transmitted diseases?

The only way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) while you’re sexually active is to use a male condom. They can also serve as a backup form of birth control to further help protect you from unwanted pregnancy.

Because hormonal birth control solutions, IUDs, and other types of doctor-prescribed birth control won’t safeguard you from STDs, it’s important to always use a condom. 

Which type of birth control is right for me?

When you come to The Cedar City Institute of Women's Health for your birth control appointment, you undergo a head-to-toe evaluation. Your dedicated OB/GYN sits and talks with you about your personal health history, as well as your sexual health and family planning needs to better help you determine which type of birth control is going to best suit your lifestyle. 

If you don’t want to get pregnant in the future, the team offers surgical procedures for permanent birth control. Options include postpartum tubal ligation, laparoscopic tubal ligation, and salpingectomy, which is the removal of one or both Fallopian tubes.

Because you have so many birth control options available at The Cedar City Institute of Women's Health, you can find a solution that’s right for you.

Schedule your birth control evaluation at The Cedar City Institute of Women's Health today. Click on the online scheduling feature, or call the clinic to book a visit.