Birth Control
Birth control is described as any method used to prevent a pregnancy. There are many safe and effective birth control methods available. Taking time to learn about each method will help you make your decision. Only you can decide what is best for you. At Famcare, a nurse can discuss all of your birth control options with you and help you select the best method for you. You can also find information about different types of family planning methods at https://bedsider.org/methods.
Abstinence
Avoiding sexual intercourse. Simply put, “just say no.”
Reversible Methods of Birth Control
Intrauterine Contraception
The Intrauterine Device- IUD
The IUD is a small ‘T’shaped device that is placed inside the uterus by a specialty trained Nurse Practitioner. The copper IUD doesn’t have hormones and can stay inside your uterus for up to 10 years. It’s typical use failure rate is 0.8%. The LNG (Levonorgestral) IUD releases a small amount of progestin each day to keep you from getting pregnant. It can stay in your uterus for 5 years and it’s typical failure rate is 0.2%.
Hormonal Methods
Implant (Nexplanon)
The implant is a single, thin rod that is placed under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. It contains a hormone (progestin) that is released into the body to prevent pregnancy. It can stay in the arm for 3 years. Typical use failure rate is 0.05%.
The Shot (Depo-Provera)
Depo-Provera, also called “the shot,” is a progestin shot that is injected into a woman’s arm or buttocks every three months. Typical use failure rate is 6%.
Birth Control Pills
Also called a combination oral contraceptive pill; “the pill” contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. It generally works by preventing ovulation. For the pill to work, it must be taken at the same time daily. If you are older than 35 and smoke cigarettes, or have a history of blood clots or breast cancer, the Nurse Practitioner may advise you to use another family planning method. Typical use failure rate is 9%.
The “progestin only” pill (mini pill) is a good option for women who can’t take estrogen. It must be taken at the same time each day. Typical use failure rate is 9%.
Hormonal Vaginal Contraceptive Ring (Nuva Ring)
You place a small, flexible ring inside the vagina for three weeks, take it out for a week to have your period, then put in a new ring. The ring continuously releases a low dosage of hormones estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy.
The Patch
A thin, flexible plastic patch is worn on the skin (lower abdomen, buttocks and upper body, except on the breast) and releases the hormones progestin and estrogen to protect against pregnancy. Typical use failure rate is 9%, but may be higher for women weighing more than 198 pounds.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is NOT a method of birth control. It will have no effect if you are already pregnant and will not cause an abortion. It can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex or after an accident, such as when a condom breaks. The sooner that you take the pill, the better it will work. There are three different kinds of emergency contraception pills available, some can be bought over-the-counter at a pharmacy.
Permanent Methods of Birth Control
Sterilization is a safe and highly effective method of permanent birth control. These methods are meant for people who are sure that they do not want to ever become pregnant.
Male Sterilization- Vasectomy
This procedure prevents sperm from entering semen so that it can no longer fertilize an egg. It does not affect ejaculation. A vasectomy is done in an outpatient surgical center or doctor’s office. It takes about 12 weeks after the surgery for a man’s sperm count to go to zero and he must visit the doctor several times for testing to count his sperm. Another form of birth control should be used until his sperm count is at zero.
Female Sterilization- Tubal Ligation
A woman can have her fallopian “tubes tied” (closed) so that sperm and eggs cannot meet and become fertilized. This procedure can be done in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center and the woman can go home the same day. This birth control method is effective immediately.
Female Sterilization- Transcervical Sterilization
This procedure is done in a doctor’s office. A tiny device is inserted in to each fallopian tube and causes scar tissue to grow and permanently close the tubes, which takes about three months. Another form of birth control should be used until the doctor confirms that the fallopian tubes are completely closed.
STI
Sexually Transmitted Infections (also know as sexually transmitted diseases- STDs) are viral or bacterial infections that are spread from one person to another during sexual or intimate contact. Depending on the infection, it can be spread through any type of sexual activity. More than half of all of us will get a sexually transmitted infection at some time in our lives. Sexually transmitted infections may or may not cause symptoms, so it is possible that you could have an infection or spread an infection without even knowing it.
If you do feel you may be at risk for an STI, getting tested allows you to get any treatments you may need. We are here to answer your questions. The caring staff at FamCare can talk with you about STIs and help you get any testing or treatment you may need.
Chlamydia
Genital Herpes
Genital Herpes is caused by two types of viruses: Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV1) and Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV2). In the US, about 1 out of every 6 people aged 14 to 49 years have genital Herpes. Most people who have Herpes do not know it because they have no, or very mild symptoms. Genital Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters around the mouth, genitals or rectum. The virus may also cause flu-like symptoms such as body aches, fever or swollen glands. You should get checked if you or your partner notices any of these symptoms. Herpes can’t be cured, but there are medicines that can decrease or prevent outbreaks and help stop the spread of the virus to your partner.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection that affects millions of men and women each year, especially ages 15-24 years. It can cause infections in the rectum, genitals and throat through vaginal, anal or oral sex. While some people have no symptoms, men may have a white, yellow or green discharge form the penis, a burning feeling when urinating and sometime swollen or painful testicles.
Women may have an increase in vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods or burning with urination. Rectal infections may cause painful bowel movements or anal soreness, itching or discharge. All women under 25 years old and women over 25 years with risk factors need to be tested each year. Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
HPV is the most common STI in the US. It is a viral infection that affects men and women and can be spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex and other close skin-to-skin touching during sexual activity. The virus can spread even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. Most men and women who get HPV never develop symptoms and the infection usually goes away completely by itself. However, if it doesn’t “clear” on its own, they virus can cause genital warts and some kinds of cancers in men and women. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or a group of bumps around the vagina, penis or anus. They may be small, large or shaped like cauliflower. The warts may go away on their own, or may require treatment by a healthcare provider. The types of HPV that cause genital warts do not cause cancer. HPV infections usually go away by themselves but having an HPV infection that does not go away can cause certain kinds of cancer to develop. HPV infection isn’t cancer but can cause changes in the body that lead to cancer. These include cervical cancer in women, penile cancer in men, and anal cancer in both women and men. HPV can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancer). There is no test for HPV available for men at this time. Women over 30 are encouraged to get tested as a screening for cervical cancer. There is no approved HPV test to find HPV in the mouth or throat.There is a vaccine that both males and females can get to help prevent them from getting HPV.
All boys and girls ages 11 or 12 years old should get vaccinated for HPV. If they did not get vaccinated when they were younger, catch-up vaccines are recommended for males through age 21; females and males and females with compromised immune systems through age 26. It is also recommended for gay and bisexual men who have sex with man through age 26.
Hepatitis B
HIV/AIDS
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial STI that can be spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Sores caused by Syphilis can be found on the lips, mouth, penis, rectum or vagina.
You can be infected with syphilis and have no symptoms at all, or mild symptoms that look like other conditions or diseases. Because syphilis sores can be hidden in the vagina, anus, under the foreskin of the penis, or in the mouth, sometimes Syphilis is left untreated for years and can cause serious complications in your body and to your baby. In the early stage, the painless syphilis sore after the first infection can be confused with a harmless bump, zipper cut or ingrown hair. The second stage can cause a rash on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, in just a few places on your body or all over. Syphilis can be diagnosed with a blood test and cured with antibiotics.