Birth Control

How does birth control work?

Different birth control methods work in various ways to block the fertilization of a woman’s eggs by male sperm and prevent an unwanted or unintended pregnancy.

Cermak Immediate Care offers several birth control methods for women and adolescent girls, including:

Barrier methods

Barrier birth control includes diaphragms, contraceptive sponges, and condoms that capture sperm before it enters the female reproductive tract.

Hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control methods use hormones to regulate a woman’s ovulation cycle to stop eggs from traveling to meet sperm. Popular hormone-based birth control options include oral pills, injections, patches, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implants.

Nonhormonal birth control

A copper IUD is a type of birth control that doesn’t contain any hormones. Instead, the method uses copper materials, which are toxic to sperm, to prevent egg fertilization.

Sterilization

Tubal ligation is a permanent birth control method. It involves tying off the fallopian tubes. This prevents eggs from leaving the ovaries for fertilization.

Which birth control is best for me?

Cermak Immediate Care offers comprehensive medical evaluations to better understand your health needs.

If you’re looking for a convenient, long-lasting method of birth control, the providers could recommend birth control implants, injections, or an IUD.

You may be a candidate for birth control pills, a vaginal ring, or contraceptive patches if you plan to have children in the near future.

You should use condoms even if you’re on another method of birth control if you’re being intimate with a new partner, have several partners, or are unsure of your partner’s medical history to protect against chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

What can I expect during the initial birth control consultation?

Your Cermak Immediate Care provider reviews your personal and family medical histories. They might also do a pelvic exam to evaluate the health of your reproductive organs.

The physicians also discuss your plans for family, lifestyle, and personal preferences when helping you choose birth control.

If you’re currently using a birth control method but wish to try a different one, your provider can suggest which options will meet your needs. For instance, if you’re unable to use hormones because of your age or an underlying health problem, they review your options for a copper IUD and other nonhormonal methods.

Call the Cermak Immediate Care office nearest you to schedule a birth control consultation or book an appointment online today.