What are Birth Control Pills?
Birth control Pills are a medication that woman take daily to prevent pregnancy. They are also sometimes called “the pill” or oral contraception.

What is the Vaginal Ring or Nuva Ring?
The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring a woman inserts into her vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week each month. The vaginal ring is commonly called NuvaRing, its brand name.

What is the Birth Control Patch? Ortho Evra
The birth control patch is a think. beige, plastic patch that sticks to the skin. It is used to prevent pregnancy. A new patch os placed on the skin once a week for three weeks in a row, followed by a patch-free week.

What is Implanon?
Implanon is a thin, flexible plastic implant about the size of a cardboard matchstick. It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It protects against pregnancy for up to three years.

What is the Birth Control Shot or Depo Provera?
The birth control shot is an injection of a hormone that prevents pregnancy. Each shot prevents pregnancy for three months.

The shot is also known by the brand name Depo-Provera, or by the name of the medicine in the shot, DMPA.

What is the Diaphragm?
The diaphragm (DIE ah fram) is a shallow, dome shaped cup with a flexible rim. It is made of silicone. You insert it into the vagina. When it is in place, it covers the cervix. It is used only during intercourse. It is available by prescription and we are happy to fit you at your appointment.

What is the Cervical Cap or FemCap?
The cervical cap is a silicone cup shaped like a sailors hat. You insert it into your vagina and over your cervix.

FemCap is the only brand of cervical cap available in the United States today.

What is an IUD?
The letters IUD stand for “intrauterine device.” IUDs are small, “T-shaped” devices made of Flexible plastic. A health care provider insets an IUD into a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy.

There are two brands of IUD available in the United States – ParaGard and Mirena.

The ParaGard IUD contains copper. It is effective for 12 years.

The Mirena IUD releases a small amount of progestin, a hormone. It is effective for five years.