No-Hassle Birth Control Options, Brandon M. Lingenfelter
Few things in life can give you greater joy than being a parent. For many couples, the journey to parenthood is all about carefully timed personal benchmarks. Things like completing your education, getting married, attaining solid financial footing, or figuring out your career path can all play a role in deciding when to embark on parenthood.
With the plethora of birth control options available today, the catch to some of them is the same as it’s always been – they only work if you remember to use them. The traditional birth control go-tos like birth control pills, condoms, and barrier methods like diaphragms are still going strong, but many of the 72 million women in the United States who use contraception are turning to longer-acting birth control methods.
At our practice, Dr. Brandon M. Lingenfelter offers a variety of contraceptive options for different lifestyles. If you’d prefer not to worry about taking a pill or awkwardly excusing yourself during a romantic moment, the convenient contraceptive options described below may be more your style. Think long-lasting, 99% effective and reversible. Now that’s hassle-free.
Injections every three months
What’s particularly nice about the diversity of birth control options available on the market today is that you can choose based on how often it needs to be administered. For instance, a progestin injection called Depo-Provera® is a great option for women who don’t want the responsibility of doing something like taking a pill every day to prevent pregnancy.
The injections work two ways – by suppressing ovulation and by thickening cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from reaching the egg. Simply make an appointment with Dr. Lingenfelter every 12 weeks, get the shot, and you’re good to go for another three months.
Long-acting birth control works for 3-4 years
If you prefer to plan out in years, not months, then longer-lasting birth control implant options may be right for you. One popular brand in this category is called Nexplanon®. Nexplanon is touted as being among the most effective birth control methods available. The implant contains only progestin and is 1.6 inches in length.
Dr. Lingenfelter inserts Nexplanon under the skin of the inside of your arm. Over the next 3-4 years progestin is released. Like Depo-Provera®, it works by suppressing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus, plus it creates changes in the uterine lining.
One and done for 3-5+ years
The longest-lasting, no-hassle birth control options are intrauterine devices (IUDs). Although IUDs have been around since the 1950s, the new generation hit the market in the late 1980s. An IUD is a T-shaped device about the size of a quarter which contains a low dose of progestin.
Dr. Lingenfelt inserts the IUD during an in-office procedure. Although it’s common to experience discomfort during the insertion, and some patients may have some bleeding and cramping afterwards, these symptoms typically subside after a few days. Depending on the type, IUDs can last 3-10 years. Now that’s truly hassle-free.
Keep in mind that depending on your overall health or medical history, you may not be a good candidate for some contraceptive methods. When you come in for your appointment, we can help you sort through the options to find the birth control method that’s best suited for your needs.
To learn more about hassle-free birth control options, book a consultation at our practice in Princeton, West Virginia. Make your appointment online or call our office today.