Birth Control Options

If you want to postpone or avoid a pregnancy, you have many options.

There are new methods of birth control you may not know about, including natural methods that have no side effects.  It is important to get accurate information about how they work and what their potential risk factors are before you make a choice.

Hormonal methods of contraception include the birth control “pill,” the Ortho Evra “patch” and the Depo-Provera “shot.”  These methods work to prevent ovulation from occurring and change a woman’s fertility cycle so that conception usually does not take place.

Several types of intrauterine devices (I.U.D.s) are on the market.  I.U.D.s work to prevent either ovulation or implantation.  Some of these contain hormones (such as Mirena) and some do not.

There are also barrier methods, such as condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps.

Natural methods, such as the Ovulation Method, are an alternative for those who do not want to use other methods of birth control.   Many women do not realize that they are able to conceive a baby only a few days each month.  These natural methods combine an in-depth understanding of your own body’s cycles and scientific knowledge to help you know when you are fertile (able to get pregnant) and when you are infertile (not able to get pregnant).

We can answer all your questions about these methods, including how each method works, how effective each one is, what the contraindications are for each and what the potential risk factors and side effects each one has, according to reliable studies.  Please call us at (708) 352-5000 for a free birth control consultation.