Birth Control Specialist

What forms of birth control are available?

Today's woman has a lot of options available to help prevent and control pregnancy. Some of these options and their effectiveness with typical use include:

• Implants: 99% effective
• Patches: 91% effective
• Pills: 91% effective
• Shots: 94% effective
• Sponges: 88% effective
• Vaginal rings: 91% effective
• Cervical cap/diaphragm: 86% effective
• Condom: 82% effective
• Diaphragm: 88% effective
• Female condom: 79% effective
• IUD: 99% effective
• Spermicide: 71% effective
• Tubal ligation: 99% effective
• Vasectomy: 99% effective
• Withdrawal: 73% effective

Dr. Gadh will assist patients in determining their best option for birth control based on their specific goals and needs.

How does hormonal birth control prevent pregnancy?

These prevent pregnancy in one of two ways. First, they trick the body into not ovulating. If the woman doesn't ovulate, she can't get pregnant. Second, many of these have a back-up form of birth control that makes the reproductive system inhospitable, so sperm have a harder time reaching the egg, and if an egg does get fertilized, it won't implant.

Hormonal birth control methods include:

• Implants
• Patches
• Pills
• Shots
• Vaginal rings
• IUD

How do barrier methods work?

Barrier methods block the path of the sperm to the egg. These methods include:

• Condoms
• Female condoms
• Sponges
• Cervical caps
• Diaphragms

Barrier methods are inserted into the vagina or placed over the penis to prevent the sperm from uniting with the egg. They are effective when used properly, but unfortunately are sometimes inserted poorly or not used consistently.

How do spermicides work?

Spermicidal creams and foams work by killing sperm before they can reach the egg. This can be used when women don't want to use hormonal birth control and are fine with the risk of unwanted pregnancy.

How do permanent forms of birth control work?

The only permanent forms of birth control are vasectomy and tubal ligation. A vasectomy is usually performed by a urologist and involves cutting the tubes in a man's scrotum that carry sperm to the penis. Tubal ligation involves cutting the fallopian tubes so sperm cannot reach the egg and cause pregnancy. Both are almost 100 percent effective, though there's always a slight risk that the tissue will grow back together and allow for future pregnancies. Dr. Gadh can assist women who want permanent birth control through tubal ligation.