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Birth Control

Birth Control services offered in Burlington, MA

Many forms of birth control are available, most of which fall into two categories: hormonal contraception or barrier methods. The experienced doctors and nurse practitioners at Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. in Burlington, Massachusetts, can help you choose the form of birth control that suits you best from the many available choices. Whether you want a long-lasting implant or a method you can stop instantly, the team can help. Call Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. or book an appointment online today to find the ideal birth control method for you.

Birth Control Q & A

What is birth control?

Birth control enables you to plan for pregnancy at the time of life that’s best for you instead of leaving it to chance.

Without birth control, you could become pregnant repeatedly, resulting in unwanted pregnancies, mental and physical health problems, and financial hardship. With birth control, you choose when or if to start a family and how many children to have.

What is hormonal birth control?

Hormonal birth control changes the sex hormone (estrogen and progesterone) levels in your body that control fertility and conception. Options Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. offers include:

Birth control pills

Birth control pills prevent ovulation. If there’s no egg for the sperm to fertilize, conception can’t occur.

Birth control patches

Patches release hormones gradually through your skin.

Contraceptive injections

Depo-Provera® is a contraceptive injection that lasts for 13 weeks.

NEXPLANON®

NEXPLANON implantable rods contain hormones that prevent ovulation. A tiny rod goes under the skin on your arm, controlling fertility for up to three years.

NuvaRing®

The NuvaRing is a flexible hoop containing hormones that fits inside the vagina. After three weeks, you remove your NuvaRing, wait a week, and insert a new one.

Intrauterine device (IUD)

An IUD is a small device that fits in the uterus to provide long-acting reversible contraception. Hormonal IUDs prevent the uterine lining from developing. Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. offers Skyla®, which lasts three years; Kyleena, which lasts five years; and Mirena®, which lasts up to eight years.

Paragard® copper IUDs are also available. They work differently, making the uterus hostile to sperm, so they die before reaching the egg. Copper IUDs last for 10 years.

What are barrier birth control methods?

Barrier methods stop sperm from reaching the egg. A diaphragm or cap covers the cervix during sex, and a contraceptive sponge blocks the end of your vagina. Female condoms line the vagina. Male condoms cover the penis. You also use a spermicide gel with barrier methods to kill stray sperm.

Barrier methods offer slightly less secure birth control than hormonal options but are ideal if you can’t or don’t want to take hormones. Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. always recommends using condoms (even if you use hormonal birth control), unless you’re in a monogamous long-term relationship, to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

You could choose permanent sterilization (tubal ligation) if you’re sure you don’t want to get pregnant.

Call Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. to schedule a birth control consultation or book an appointment online today.