At Rancho OB/GYN we offer a large variety of birth control options. Our providers work closely with our patients to ensure each woman choses the birth control method that works best for her. At Rancho OB/GYN, we offer the following types of birth control methods:
Birth control pills
Surgical sterilization (getting your “tubes tied”)
Long Acting Birth Control (LARC), which consists of:
Subdermal implant (Nexplanon)
Copper IUD (ParaGard)
Progesterone-based IUDs (such as Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla)
Choosing birth control can be difficult as each method has risks and benefits associated with its use. Which method is best for you depends on many factors including:
Whether you want children in the future
How long you plan to wait before you get pregnant
What the pattern of your menstrual cycle is (heavy, light, monthly, irregular, etc)
How sensitive you are to hormones in birth control
Whether you can remember to take pills every day or you prefer a method of birth control you do not have to think about
At Rancho OB/GYN (located near Rancho Springs Hospital in Murrieta, California), our gynecologists are experts in all forms of birth control and we would love to work with you to determine the best option for you and your lifestyle. Please call to schedule your appointment today because better health starts here!
LARC (Long acting reversible contraception) is a long-term birth control solution for women who either want more children in the future or who do not want more children in the future, but do not want to undergo surgery to permanently prevent pregnancy.
The pill is a daily prescription that can result in pregnancy if a woman forgets to take it for a day or two.
LARC is the solution for “in between” these two options.
It is a form of birth control that is as reliable as “getting your tubes tied” (>99% effective), but it is not permanent.
LARC is gently implanted into your body (arm or uterus) so you do not have to remember to take a pill every day and it can be kept in place to prevent pregnancy for years to come. But, the BEST part about LARC is that it can also be easily removed by one of our Rancho OB/GYN providers when you are ready for more children!
At Rancho OB/GYN, our providers are trained in placing three types of LARC. They are:
If you are interested in learning more about LARC, call Rancho OB/GYN to schedule your appointment so that we can help you take control of your health!
The only LARC that goes under the skin (subdermal) is the Nexplanon. It is a small flexible rod that our gynecologists at Rancho OB/GYN place under the skin in your arm. Unlike the Depo-Provera shot, studies do not show women gain weight while using the Nexplanon device. This can be a significant advantage for its use.
The Nexplanon slowly releases progesterone in your bloodstream. It is the most effective form of birth control because the progesterone it releases works in multiple ways to prevent you from becoming pregnant.
The Nexplanon is FDA approved for up to three years for birth control. However, if at any time a woman decides she would like to become pregnant earlier than that, our providers at Rancho OB/GYN can quickly remove it for you in the office.
The Nexplanon is placed during an office visit by one of our providers at Rancho OB/GYN. Local anesthesia is used to numb your arm then a needle is used to insert the device under your skin. There can be some bruising right after the placement, but placing the Nexplanon is very quick and well tolerated by our patients.
If you are interested in learning more about the Nexplanon, call Rancho OB/GYN to schedule your appointment today because better health starts here!
The ring is a small, flexible contraceptive ring about the size of a silver dollar. If used correctly, the vaginal ring is more than 99% effective. One ring provides contraception for a month. Like the pill, the ring contains hormones that prevent pregnancy. It may ease premenstrual symptoms, and bleeding will probably be lighter and less painful. Some women do have temporary side effects, including more vaginal discharge, breast tenderness and headaches. The ring can sometimes come out on its own, but you can rinse it in cold or warm water and put it back in yourself.
Like all LARCS, it won’t protect against STD’s. The ring is inserted during your menstrual cycle and it is usually left in for 21 days, then removed for seven day rings, After the week is up, a new ring is inserted for another 21 day cycle. Inserting a ring a done at home and is similar to inserting a tampon.
The Nexplanon is the most effective form of birth control, but the IUDs are also a great option for women considering LARC.
The advantage to the IUD is that it has less side effects.
Using Nexplanon, a woman might experience bloating, headaches, breast pain, acne, and mood changes. The IUD only rarely causes these side effects.
Additionally, the IUD may be a better option for women who struggle with their periods as most women (more than 50%) will have improvement in their menstrual bleeding when they use the progesterone-based IUD.
Like the Nexplanon, progesterone-based IUDs slowly release progesterone to prevent pregnancy.
The difference is, the progesterone from the IUD is localized to your uterus so it does not affect your ovaries or overall hormone levels.
Sterilization is a very effective form of birth control. It involves an outpatient surgery to either cut the fallopian tubes or remove the fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) to prevent pregnancy. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia (you are asleep) and takes less than an hour. You go home the same day and recover within two weeks of surgery.
Sterilization is a great option for women who are 100% sure they do not want more children, but it is irreversible. This means, if a woman changes her mind later in life about having more children, she will be unable to naturally get pregnant if she undergoes sterilization.
Sterilization is a great option for women who are 100% sure they do not want more children, but it is irreversible. This means, if a woman changes her mind later in life about having more children, she will be unable to naturally get pregnant if she undergoes sterilization.