Birth Control

What is birth control?

Birth control is a treatment for those sexually active that reduces the risk of getting pregnant. Nicolai Foong, M.D., offers hormonal and non-hormonal methods for pregnancy prevention. He and his team work with you to find a type of birth control that meets your needs, lifestyle, and preferences.

What are the different types of birth control?

Some of the birth control offerings available at the office of Nicolai Foong, M.D., include

Pills

You can take birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin by mouth daily (or less often in some cases) to prevent pregnancy. These hormones help prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg or make your uterus lining thinner to avoid pregnancy. Birth control pills are highly effective, as long as you remember to take them as directed.

Patches

Birth control patches are transdermal patches you place on your skin. The patch releases estrogen and progestin hormones. You can wear a birth control patch for three weeks and remove it during the fourth week when you have your menstrual period.

Injections

Depo-Provera® injections, or birth control shots, are a progestin-only type of birth control that Dr. Foong can inject every three months. The injections work by stopping your ovaries from releasing eggs.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs)

An IUD is a flexible, t-shaped device that Dr. Foong can place into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. Copper IUDs release copper to prevent sperm from reaching your egg. Hormonal IUDs can prevent fertilization by thickening the mucus in your cervix and thinning the wall of your uterus.  

An IUD can last 3, 5, or 10 years but Dr. Foong can remove it if or when you’d like to become pregnant.

NuvaRing®

NuvaRing is a plastic vaginal ring that’s flexible. It releases low doses of progestin and estrogen to thicken the mucus in your cervix and prevent ovulation. You simply insert the ring into your vagina for three weeks and remove it for one week when you have a menstrual period.

Permanent birth control

If you’re sure you no longer want to get pregnant in the future, you can choose permanent birth control options. Examples include minimally invasive tubal ligation and tubal implants.

Which type of birth control is right for me?

To determine which type of birth control best meets your needs, Dr. Foong reviews your medical history, including your medication regimen and past diagnoses. He completes a physical examination and discusses your lifestyle and preferences. 

Dr. Foong works with you to find a hormonal or non-hormonal birth control option that best meets your needs. Regardless of the type of birth control you choose (except for permanent birth control), you can become pregnant after you stop using it.

To decide which type of birth control is right for you, call the office of Nicolai Foong, M.D., or book an appointment online today.