We offer a range of birth control options depending on your personal needs, preferences and lifestyle. Our experienced medical team provides compassionate, confidential care to help you take control of your reproductive health.

Yes, we provide a range of birth control options, including:

Sample packs of birth control pills to get you started. Begin taking these the first Sunday after your procedure.

Depo-Provera injections for $50 if not covered by insurance.

Prescriptions for long-term methods like IUDs (Mirena, Liletta) or Nexplanon.

For IUD or implant placement, you will need to wait until your next menstrual period. Consultations can be scheduled during your 2-week follow-up appointment.

Fees page or call our office.

Getting an IUD placed can cause some discomfort, but the experience varies from person to person. Most patients describe the sensation as mild to moderate cramping that lasts only a few minutes. Here’s what to expect during the process:

• Before Placement: A local anesthetic may be used to minimize discomfort, and over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can be taken beforehand to reduce cramping.
• During Placement: You may feel pressure or a brief, sharp cramp as the IUD is inserted into your uterus. This sensation is similar to menstrual cramps for many.
• After Placement: Mild cramping or spotting is common for a few hours or days as your body adjusts to the device.

Our experienced providers at FemiCare prioritize your comfort and will guide you through the procedure with care. If you’re concerned about pain, let us know during your consultation, and we can discuss additional pain management options to ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible. We have a variety of options available. For more about IUDs at Femi-care, click here. To learn more about our Birth Control options, please visit our Birth Control page.

Emergency contraception (EC), such as Plan B or Ella, is designed for occasional use to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It is not intended to be a regular birth control method. Here’s why:

• Effectiveness: While effective at preventing pregnancy after a single incident, EC is less reliable than regular birth control methods like pills, IUDs, or implants for ongoing prevention.
• Timing Limitations: EC must be taken within a specific time frame (typically within 72 hours for Plan B or up to 5 days for Ella) to work.
• Hormonal Load: Frequent use of EC involves high doses of hormones, which may cause side effects such as irregular periods, nausea, or headaches.

For regular contraception, methods like birth control pills, IUDs, implants, or injections are more effective and better suited for long-term prevention.

Yes, you can become pregnant as soon as your IUD is removed. Fertility typically returns immediately, regardless of whether you had a hormonal or copper IUD. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Hormonal IUDs (e.g., Mirena, Liletta): The hormones leave your system quickly after removal, so ovulation may resume within weeks.
• Copper IUDs (e.g., ParaGard): This non-hormonal option does not impact ovulation, allowing for immediate fertility upon removal.

If you’re not planning to conceive, it’s important to switch to another birth control method right after your IUD removal.

• Effectiveness: While effective at preventing pregnancy after a single incident, EC is less reliable than regular birth control methods like pills, IUDs, or implants for ongoing prevention.
• Timing Limitations: EC must be taken within a specific time frame (typically within 72 hours for MyWay – a medication like Plan B) to work.
• Hormonal Load: Frequent use of EC involves high doses of hormones, which may cause side effects such as irregular periods, nausea, or headaches.

For regular contraception, methods like birth control pills, IUDs, implants, or injections are more effective and better suited for long-term prevention.

The effectiveness of birth control methods depends on proper use. Here’s a comparison of common options:

• IUDs (Hormonal or Copper): Over 99% effective. Provides long-term protection (3–10 years).
• Implants (e.g., Nexplanon): Over 99% effective. Lasts up to 3 years.
• Birth Control Pills: 91% effective with typical use (99% with perfect use). Requires daily adherence.
• Injections (e.g., Depo-Provera): 94% effective with typical use. Requires an injection every 3 months.
• Condoms: 85% effective with typical use. Protects against STDs in addition to pregnancy.
• Emergency Contraception (MyWay): 75–89% effective depending on the method and timing of use.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs and implants are the most effective methods because they eliminate the risk of user error. Short-term methods like pills and condoms require consistency for optimal effectiveness.

Missing a birth control pill can reduce its effectiveness, but the impact depends on how many pills you missed and when. Here’s how to handle it:

• If You Miss 1 Pill:

  • Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two pills in one day.
  • Continue taking the rest of your pills at the regular time.
  • Backup contraception is not typically necessary.

• If You Miss 2 or More Pills:

  • Take the most recent missed pill as soon as possible.
  • Skip the other missed pills and continue your pack as scheduled.
  • Use backup contraception (e.g., condoms) for the next 7 days.

• If You Miss Pills in the Last Week of Your Pack:

  • Skip the placebo pills and start your next pack immediately after finishing the active pills.

For any uncertainties, refer to the instructions provided with your pill pack or contact your healthcare provider.

Yes, hormonal birth control can significantly reduce heavy or painful periods for many individuals. Here’s how:

• Birth Control Pills: Regulate hormones to make periods lighter, shorter, and less painful.
• Hormonal IUDs (e.g., Mirena, Liletta): Can reduce or even stop menstrual bleeding over time.
• Birth Control Injections (e.g., Depo-Provera): Often reduce period frequency and flow.
• Birth Control Implants (e.g., Nexplanon): May decrease menstrual bleeding and pain.

These methods work by stabilizing hormone levels, thinning the uterine lining, and reducing the production of prostaglandins (compounds that cause menstrual cramps). For those with conditions like endometriosis or PCOS, birth control is often a first-line treatment.

Yes, most forms of birth control can be started immediately after an abortion, regardless of whether it’s a medication or procedural abortion. Here’s how:

• Hormonal Methods (Pills, Patch, Ring): Can begin the day of the procedure or the first Sunday afterward.
• IUDs (Hormonal or Copper): Can be placed immediately after a procedural abortion.
• Implants (e.g., Nexplanon): Can be inserted the same day as your abortion.
• Injections (e.g., Depo-Provera): May be administered right after the abortion.

Starting birth control right away ensures continuous pregnancy prevention and allows you to plan your reproductive health according to your goals.