Birth Control

When choosing birth control, you want the method that fits your lifestyle and works for your future family plans. You will find it at Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania because they offer many different options. They also take the time to explain the pros and cons so you can choose the one that’s best for you. They have 12 offices in Nuremberg, Sullivan Trail Falls, Freeland, Hazleton, Monroe Township, Wilkes-Barre, Shickshinny, and Edwardsville, Pennsylvania. If you have questions about contraceptives or want to schedule an appointment, use the online booking feature or call the nearest office today. 

What are the different types of birth control?

During your birth control appointment, your provider reviews your medical and menstrual history and completes a pelvic exam to ensure you don't have any health issues that might affect your birth control choices.

Birth control options include:

• Tubal ligation (female sterilization)
• Intrauterine devices (hormone and copper)
• Birth control implant
• Birth control shot
• Vaginal ring
• Birth control pills
• Birth control patches
• Diaphragm
• Internal condoms (for women)
• External condoms (for men)

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the birth control implants are 99% effective. The pill, shot, patch, vaginal ring, and diaphragm range from 88-99% effective, depending on how you use the method.

For example, the birth control pill is 99% effective if you take it every day. However, if you forget to take it, its effectiveness drops to 91%, which means 9 out of 100 women get pregnant while on the pill.

The least effective contraceptives include diaphragms and women's and men's condoms because you must use them every time you have sex. However, condoms are the only methods that protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

Your provider can give you more details about the effectiveness of the birth control method you want to use.

What are long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)?

LARCs include two birth control methods: IUDs and implants. Both types are:

Long-acting

Your provider inserts them once, and they continuously prevent pregnancy for 3-10 years, depending on the specific type. 

99% effective

Since they stay in place, you don't need to worry about remembering pills or shots or using a diaphragm.

Reversible

Though you may keep LARCs in place for years, your provider can easily remove them in-office anytime you choose.

How do hormone-based birth control methods work?

Some IUDs, implants, shots, pills, patches, and the vaginal ring all prevent pregnancy using hormones. Depending on the type of hormone, these methods work by making one or more changes in your body. They may stop your ovaries from releasing an egg or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. 

Some hormones change the quality of your cervical mucus, which stops sperm from getting into your uterus.

If you need birth control, call Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania or book an appointment online today.