Birth Control

There are many safe and reliable forms of birth control available to you through Adagio Health. Choosing the best option for you can be a difficult decision. The information below will help you learn the pros and cons of each method. When you’re ready, set up an appointment with us, and one of our healthcare providers will discuss your options with you and provide you with the protection you need.

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Abstinence

What is abstinence?
Abstinence is not having vaginal, oral, or anal sex.  

How does it work?
A man, woman, or couple makes the decision to not engage in intercourse.

What are the good things?
Abstinence is 100% effective against pregnancy and STDs.

Things to consider:
Some people may find it difficult to remain abstinent for long periods of time.

IUD

What is an IUD?
A small piece of flexible plastic with a nylon string attached that can either be wrapped in copper wire or it can contain progestin.

How does it work?
It prevents fertilization by damaging or killing sperm.  IUDs are one of the most effective forms of preventing pregnancy.  Less than 1 out of every women using an IUD will become pregnant.

What are the good things?
You have choices when it comes to IUDs.

Hormonal IUDs can last up to five years. They release progestin which provides additional protection by thickening cervical mucus, preventing sperm from entering the uterus. They may make your periods lighter.

Non-hormonal IUDs are made of plastic and a small amount of copper last up to twelve years. They have no effect on your period.
You do not have to worry about remembering a prescription.

They are invisible and cannot be felt by your partner.

IUDs can be used while breastfeeding.

Things to consider:
In rare cases, an IUD can slip out, cause infection, or perforate the uterus. You may experience some spotting in between periods. IUDs may cause cramping or backaches. IUDs do not prevent HIV or other STDs/STIs.

Implant

What is the implant?
The implant is a small, flexible thin plastic rod that is inserted under the skin of the inner side of the upper arm by a health care provider.

How does it work?
The implant releases progestin. Progestin is a hormone that blocks your ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens your cervical mucus, helping to block sperm from getting into the uterus.  The implant is more than 99% effective – less than 1 out of every women using an implant will become pregnant.

What are the good things?
It lasts for up to three years.
You do not have to worry about remembering a prescription.
It is virtually invisible.

Things to consider:
The implant does not prevent HIV or other /STIs.
In rare cases, the implant can cause blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, or breast cancer.  Risks increase in smokers.
If pregnancy does happen, it is more likely to be an ectopic pregnancy.

The Depo Provera Shot/ Injectables

What is the shot?
The shot is a hormonal injection given in the arms or buttocks every three months by your healthcare provider.

How does it work?
The shot prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens your cervical mucus to stop sperm from entering your uterus.  About 6 out of every 100 women using depo provera will become pregnant.

What are the good things?
It is only administered once every three months.
You can use it while breastfeeding.

Things to consider:
You must visit your healthcare provider every three months to receive your next shot.
Your periods may be irregular when first starting this method of birth control.
It does not prevent HIV or other STDs/STIs.
In rare cases, the shot can cause blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, or breast cancer.  Risks increase in smokers.
Depo provera can cause difficulty in returning to fertility, if you are trying to get pregnant.
 

The Ring

What is the ring?
The ring is a flexible piece of plastic self-inserted into the vagina for three weeks. It is removed and the woman gets her period on the fourth week. A new ring is inserted each month.

How does it work?
The ring releases hormones into your bloodstream, that prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs and thicken your cervical mucus to stop sperm from entering your uterus.  About 9 out of every 100 women using the vaginal ring will become pregnant.

What are the good things?
It is only inserted once a month.

Things to consider:
The ring does not prevent against HIV or other STDs/STIs.
In rare cases, the ring can cause blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, or breast cancer.  Risks increase in smokers.
 

The Pill

What is the pill?
The pill is oral contraception taken once-a-day, every day.

How does it work?
The pill releases hormones into your bloodstream that prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs and thicken your cervical mucus to stop sperm from entering your uterus.  On average, about 9 out of every 100 women using the Pill will become pregnant each year.

What are the good things?
There are many types of the pill, so you have options when it comes to the formula that works best for you.

Things to consider:
It must be taken every day, at the same time, in order for it to be effective.
It does not prevent HIV or other STDs/STIs.
In rare cases, the pill (oral contraceptives) can cause blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, or breast cancer.  Risks increase in smokers.

The Patch

What is the patch?
The patch is a small, Band Aid-like piece of plastic that you place on your skin.

How does it work?
The patch releases hormones through your skin, into your bloodstream, that prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs and thicken your cervical mucus to stop sperm from entering your uterus.  About 9 out of every 100 women using the Patch will become pregnant each year.

What are the good things?
It is only applied once a week.

Things to consider:
It does not prevent HIV or other STDs/STIs.
In rare cases, the patch can cause blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, or breast cancer.  Risks increase in smokers.

 

Condoms

What are condoms?
Condoms are a barrier method of birth control. Typically made of latex or polyurethane, they slip over the penis.

How do they work?
Condoms prevent semen from entering the receiving partner.

What are the good things?
In addition to preventing pregnancy, condoms also protect users from STD/STIs.

They are inexpensive and sometimes free. No prescription is needed. They are sold at most drugstores.

Unless the user has a latex allergy, there are no side effects.

There are two types of condoms:  female condoms and male condoms.  

Female condoms provide protection from pregnancy and STD/STIs.  Female condoms go inside your vagina. About 21 out of every 100 women using a female condom will become pregnant.

Male condoms – a thin film – cover the penis and will provide protection from pregnancy and STD/STIs.  Male condoms will prevent sperm from entering a woman’s body.  They are typically made from latex rubber but polyurethane condoms are available for people who have an allergy or reaction to latex.  

About 18 out of every 100 women relying on the male condom will become pregnant.  Male condoms are available with lubrication or without.  Never use an oil-based lubricant (such as petroleum jelly, massage oil, body lotion) with a condom as it may cause them to weaken and break.

Things to consider:
If used incorrectly, condoms can break or leak during intercourse.

 

Spermicide

What is spermicide?
It is a topical product, generally a cream, foam, or gel that kills sperm before reaching an egg.

How does it work?
It is inserted or applied as directed by the package prior to having intercourse.

What are the good things?
No prescription is needed.
It is widely available at most drugstores.
It is inexpensive.

Things to consider:
Irritation from spermicide can make you more susceptible to HIV.
About 28 out of every 100 women using spermicide as their sole method of birth control will become pregnant.
It does not prevent against HIV or other STDs/STIs.

Diaphragm

A diaphragm is a cup-shaped barrier covering your cervix, preventing sperm from entering your uterus.  Diaphragms must be used with a spermicide to be most effective.  

A diaphragm and spermicide can be inserted up to 2 hours before having sex, but not any longer.  You need to leave the diaphragm in place for at least 6 hours after having sex.

About 12 out of every 100 women using the diaphragm will become pregnant.

 

Fertility Awareness Methods

Fertility awareness, also called “Natural Family Planning” and the “Rhythm Method”, is a way of tracking your ovulation so that you know when you are most likely to get pregnant.  This method can be used both to prevent pregnancy as well as to help you conceive a pregnancy.  

There are several different fertility awareness methods.  These include temperature, cervical mucus, and calendar methods.  Using all three together is the most effective.

About 24 out of every 100 women using fertility awareness methods as their method of birth control will become pregnant.

 

Emergency Contraception

What is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency contraception, more commonly known as the morning-after pill, can prevent a pregnancy from occurring. It should not be used as a regular form of birth control.

How does it work?
Emergency contraception stops or delays the release of an egg from the ovaries.  It may also prevent fertilization of an egg or prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.

What are the good things?
It can be used after unprotected sex in cases where other contraceptives have failed or no contraception was used.
It’s sold at most drug stores and available without a prescription for those age 17 and older.

Things to consider:
It may cause side effects including: tenderness, dizziness and bloating.