Contraception

While your practitioner can help you understand the pros and cons of all methods of birth control during your consultation at our Portland gynecology practice, knowing your options for contraception in advance will make it easier for you to ask the right questions.

• Birth Control Pills are a safe, convenient and effective form of contraception. Most birth control pills must be taken daily. Many brands offer added benefits like reducing menstrual cramps, lightening periods and even reducing acne. Most oral contraceptive pills contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones used to prevent ovulation and regulate menstrual cycles.
• Depo-Provera is an injection of a hormone that prevents pregnancy for up to 3 months. It is safe, effective and particularly convenient for women who do not want to take a daily pill for effective contraception. The medication used is progesterone only and can be administered to women who cannot take estrogen.
• Nexplanon® is a thin, flexible implant inserted under the skin of the upper arm that protects against pregnancy for up to 3 years. It is safe, effective and convenient. This device is a progesterone-containing method of hormonal contraception.
• NuvaRing® is the brand name for a small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It is left in place for 3 weeks and taken out for the remaining week of the month. A new ring is then inserted. Like the pill, it works by steadily releasing estrogen and progesterone hormones to prevent pregnancy.
• IUD (intrauterine device) is a small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Unlike the IUDs used in the 1970s, today’s new generation of IUDs includes small, safe and highly effective devices. Pearl Women’s Center recommends the Liletta IUD for most patients, a 4+ year progesterone IUD that has high contraceptive efficacy while limiting or even eliminating the menstrual cycle. We also offer ParaGard® IUD, a hormone-free device which offers effective contraception for 12 years, and the Mirena® IUD, which is effective for 5 years and is similar to Liletta. Both Paraguard and Mirena are 2 of the least expensive and longest lasting forms of birth control available today.
• Diaphragm is a latex cup with a flexible ring that covers the cervix and acts as a barrier to prevent sperm from entering and fertilizing the egg. While it is not as convenient as some of the other birth control methods discussed, it has no effect on a woman’s natural hormones and can be a good lifestyle choice for less sexually active women.

Permanent sterilization is currently the second most prevalent form of birth control used by American women. The most common method of permanent sterilization is laparoscopic tubal sterilization, a surgical procedure that closes the fallopian tubes preventing sperm from being able to fertilize the egg.

Your surgeon will carefully review the options for permanent contraceptive options with you to help find the best solution.

Fallopian tube sterilization procedures include the use of heat energy to seal the tubes, clips or bands to mechanically interrupt the tubes, or complete removal of the tubes, called salpingectomy.

For women who feel that these micro-inserts have created issues or health problems, our gynecologic surgeons offer surgical removal of the devices using laparoscopic surgery.

Contact us to schedule your Essure removal.