An active sex life is a natural and healthy part of a relationship, but that doesn’t mean you’re looking to get pregnant all the time. There are several kinds of birth control you can use to prevent sperm from reaching the egg, the egg from being released, or the egg from implanting in the uterus. Which you choose depends on your specific needs and preferences.
At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic in Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Mesa, and Scottsdale, Arizona, our providers, Dr. Pankaj Chopra and Dr. Neha Maheshwari, offer numerous options for patients seeking effective birth control, including Nexplanon®, an implantable device that provides long-term protection.
If you’re considering your birth control options, here are four reasons to consider Nexplanon.
Birth control, also called contraception, comes in two major classes: hormonal and barrier.
This type of birth control uses hormones to prevent ovulation or change the conditions in your uterus and cervix so that sperm either can’t penetrate or they die off.
Some hormonal options are short-acting medications that require daily use, such as the pill, while others are long-acting and are inserted into your uterus (the hormonal IUD) or implanted in your arm (Nexplanon).
Barrier methods physically block sperm from entering the uterus, and you use them each time you have sex. Common options are condoms, diaphragms, spermicides, and copper IUDs.
Any form of birth control is effective only when you use it correctly and consistently. The most effective forms are those that are convenient and don’t require much maintenance, such as implants, IUDs, and sterilization.
The least effective forms include fertility awareness and pulling out.
Generally, the best method is doubling up on birth control, such as using a condom and a birth control pill at the same time. That’s because you’re protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), using a barrier method, and taking hormonal medication all at once.
When making your decision about what birth control method will be best for you, consider the following factors:
You may also want to consider other benefits, such as lighter or more predictable menstrual cycles.
Nexplanon is a hormonal form of birth control; it releases progestin to prevent the release of eggs from your ovaries, thicken your cervical mucus, and change the lining of your uterus so an egg can’t implant.
It’s also a long-acting form of birth control. Once implanted, it protects for up to five years, after which it needs to be removed. However, you can get a new implant if you want to continue using this method for your contraception needs.
Four key benefits of choosing Nexplanon include:
Two things you should consider before getting the implant are that it can cause changes to your menstrual cycles, making them heavier or lighter, as well as leading to spotting between cycles, and it doesn’t prevent STIs, so you’ll need to use a barrier method as well, such as a condom.
Want to learn more about how Nexplanon can meet your contraception needs? Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic can help. Walk in, call us at any location, or book an appointment online.
