Birth Control Specialist

How can I choose the right birth control?

When you meet with The Women’s Centre contraception expert, nurse practitioner Amy Dean, she helps you evaluate the various available methods based on factors such as your present lifestyle, medical history, personal values, and whether or not you’ve completed your family.

What’s the most reliable type of birth control?

The only 100% guaranteed form of birth control is abstinence. Abstinence is also the only method that provides fail-safe protection against STDs.

Every other method of birth control is subject to failure, either because of the method or because of human error. The failure rate of birth control depends on its inability to protect against pregnancy in a one-year period.

Can I use a 100% natural form of birth control?

Including abstinence, all forms of natural birth control rely heavily on the behavior of you or your partner. Natural birth-control methods include:

• Withdrawing before ejaculation (22% failure rate)
• Fertility awareness method (rhythm method; 12% to 24%)
• Regularly breastfeeding newborn for first six months (2%)

What types of birth control can be used as needed?

You can use barrier birth control methods as necessary. Condoms are the only type of birth control, besides abstinence, that protect against STDs. Barrier methods include:

• Diaphragm used with spermicide (12% failure)
• Cervical cap (14% to 29%)
• Male condoms (15%)
• Sponge (12% to 24%)
• Female condoms (21%)

Can I get long-term, but impermanent, birth control?

Hormonal birth control comes in many delivery systems from pills to implants, is long-term, and can be quite effective. Your doctor has to insert intrauterine devices (IUDs), but they can last for up to five years or more. The fail rates for long-term options are:

• IUDs (with or without hormones; 1%)
• Arm implant (lasts up to 3 years; 1%)
• Vaginal ring (replaced every 3 weeks; 2%)
• Birth-control shot (6%)
• Birth control pill (taken daily; 9%)
• Birth control patch (9%)

Can I get permanent sterilization?

Even if you opt for permanent sterilization, it’s critical to note that you could still become pregnant for up to a year after your procedure.

Surgeries that permanently sterilize you or your partner are tubal ligation (1%) and vasectomy (1%). You can also ask your doctor about nonsurgical fallopian occlusion (1%).

When you’re ready to find the perfect method of birth control for you, contact the professionals at The Women’s Centre by phone or online form.