RichmondMom.com » birth control options

January 13: Permanent Birth Control Options

RhondaDay — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:00:26 +0000

The majority of birth control options available – pills, implants, injections, rings, patches and IUDs – serve as temporary solutions for contraception, meaning that at any time, women can choose to discontinue use and have a chance of becoming pregnant in the future. Some women, who are certain that they do not wish to have any (or more) children, may consider different options for permanent birth control.

Also referred to as sterilization, permanent birth control procedures in women close off the fallopian tubes. These procedures ensure that the egg cannot move down the fallopian tubes into the uterus and that sperm cannot reach the egg. Sterilization procedures do not affect a woman’s menstrual cycle or sexual function. In addition, the procedures do not protect women from sexually transmitted diseases.

Learn more about the permanent birth control options that are available, including one that can be performed in our offices at this link.

Weekly Health Tips provided by Virginia Women’s Center

Birth Control Pills: Should They be Available Over-the-counter?

Virginia Women's Center — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:22:32 +0000

Many of you may have heard that last week, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), recommended that birth control pills be sold over-the-counter without the need for a health care provider’s exam or prescription. The main reasons behind their recommendation are to increase access and to decrease the cost of birth control pills with the hopes of reducing the number of unintended pregnancies that occur in the U.S.

While we, at Virginia Women’s Center, appreciate the reasons behind this recommendation, we are concerned about the potential repercussions that could arise if birth control pills were available over-the-counter. It’s important to note that an annual exam with an OB-GYN or women’s health nurse practitioner is much more than a birth control prescription or a Pap test.

An annual exam includes a complete review of a woman’s medical history, a pelvic exam, a breast exam, health counseling and the opportunity to ask questions and build a relationship with her health care provider.

Additionally, it may include a discussion on contraception, lab tests or a Pap test. By making birth control pills available without a prescription, many women could miss out on catching health issues or diseases at an earlier time – when they are easier and less expensive to treat.

Additionally, while birth control pills are for the most part very safe, they are not the right choice in contraception for all women. As Dr. Peter Zedler says, “There have been many times that patients have come into my office with the plan to use certain types of contraception. However, after we discuss the different options available as well as the risks and benefits of each, they change their minds.” By having birth control pills available over-the-counter, this important discussion with a health care provider may not happen.

One of the reasons why ACOG is recommending this move to over-the-counter birth control pills is because of the cost associated with going to the doctor to obtain a prescription. In the Richmond community, there are several low-cost options for women without insurance. In addition, if birth control pills were sold over-the-counter, they would not be covered by insurance, similar to condoms today. This could actually increase the cost of birth control pills.

At Virginia Women’s Center, we emphasize the importance of preventative care. We see great value in our annual well-woman visits and enjoy partnering together to create an individualized health care plan, which includes a discussion on the appropriate contraception choice for each patient.

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Permanent Birth Control Options

Virginia Women's Center — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 01:09:05 +0000

Some women may choose to use temporary birth control methods for the remainder of their fertile years. However, other women, who are certain that they do not wish to have any (or more) children, may consider different options for permanent birth control.

Because permanent birth control procedures are irreversible, it is important that a woman is certain that she does not wish to have any future pregnancies no matter what unexpected life changes could occur in the future. If that decision has been made by a woman and her partner, it is important for her to discuss permanent birth control options with her health care provider.

Tubal Ligation: A surgical procedure where the fallopian tubes are closed off by being cut and tied, closed shut with bands or clips, or sealed with an electric current. Tubal ligations can be performed immediately postpartum through a small incision near the belly button. In addition, they can be performed at other times (not coinciding with childbirth) through laparoscopic surgery.

The Essure® Procedure (Hysteroscopic Sterilization): A non-invasive surgical procedure that is typically performed in less than 10 minutes in our offices. During the procedure, soft, flexible inserts are placed into the fallopian tubes so that the tips remain visible. This allows the physician to confirm that the placement is correct. The physician places the inserts through the vagina and cervix and does not use an incision. For three months following the procedure, an additional form of birth control will need to be used while the body works with the inserts to create a natural barrier within the fallopian tubes. At the end of the three months, an Essure® confirmation test will be performed by inserting a dye into the uterus and using x-ray to ensure that the fallopian tubes are fully blocked and the inserts are positioned correctly.

In addition to the two procedures listed above for women, men can undergo a sterilization procedure, known as a vasectomy. A vasectomy is typically performed by a urologist. Cuts are made in the scrotum and the tubes which carry sperm (known as the vas deferens) are cut or burned so that they are blocked.

Just like any surgical procedure, there are risks and benefits with each one listed above. Please consult your health care provider if you are interested in learning more about the option that is best for you.

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