Birth Control Specialist

Park Avenue Women's Center Our Services Birth Control

Park Avenue Women's Center

OB-GYNs located in Yorkville, Upper East Side, New York, NY

To choose a method of birth control that fits your lifestyle and works for your future family plans, you need up-to-date information and a variety of options. The team at Park Avenue Women’s Center, Dr. Gila Leiter, Dr. Shari Leipzig, and Dr. Douglas Moss, offer all types of birth control and have years of experience helping women with birth control decisions. To learn more about your birth control choices, call the office in New York City’s Yorkville, Upper East Side or book an appointment online.

Birth Control Q & A

What should you consider before choosing birth control?

Before you choose a type of birth control, your doctor at Park Avenue Women’s Center reviews your medical history and performs a pelvic exam. This step is important to be sure you don’t have any health concerns that may affect your birth control decision. You can also receive testing for sexually transmitted diseases if needed.

Each type of birth control has benefits and risks. You can count on your doctor to explain their differences, answer your questions, and help you determine which method is best for you.

All birth control options are available at Park Avenue Women’s Center, including compassionate care for women with unwanted pregnancies. The team is available to help with all aspects of contraception management.


How effective are different methods of birth control?

Effectiveness ratings provide good guidelines, but you can improve the effectiveness of methods such as birth control pills by using them properly. You can raise their effectiveness to 99% if you take them close to the same time every day.

  • Birth control pills: nearly 100% effective
  • Intrauterine devices (IUDs): nearly 100% effective
  • Hormone-based patch (Ortho EvraⓇ) or ring (NuvaRingⓇ): 91% effective
  • Hormone implant (NexplanonⓇ): 99% effective
  • Male condom: 82% effective
  • Permanent birth control (tubal ligation or occlusion, vasectomy): nearly 100% effective


What are long-acting reversible contraceptives?

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are inserted once, then stay in place to continuously prevent pregnancy for 3-10 years, depending on the method. LARCs are as effective as permanent sterilization, but completely reversible.

Your doctor can easily remove LARCs at any time. As soon as they’re removed, you may become pregnant.

You can choose from two types of LARCs:

Implants

Nexplanon is a small rod, about the size of a matchstick, that’s implanted under your skin in your upper arm. It gradually releases a small amount of synthetic progesterone, preventing pregnancy for up to three years.

IUDs

IUDs are flexible, T-shaped devices that are placed inside your uterus. They may block sperm from traveling through the uterus, but that’s not their primary mechanism of action. They primarily prevent pregnancy by releasing hormones or copper.

Mirena® and Skyla® are two types of hormone-containing IUDs. They prevent pregnancy by changing the lining of your uterus and thickening the mucus in your cervix. Mirena lasts up to five years, while Skyla prevents pregnancy for up to three years.

PARAGARD® is an IUD that contains copper. Copper prevents pregnancy by acting like a spermicide and inhibiting the ability of sperm to move. PARAGARD can prevent pregnancy up to 10 years.

If you have questions about birth control, call Park Avenue Women’s Center or book an appointment online.

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