We offer several different forms of birth control (contraceptives) including; many brands of pills, Ortho Evra patch, Nuva Ring, Depo-Provera (the shot), IUD/IUS (intrauterine device/system), diaphragm, spermacide, condom, and fertility awareness. Some of these methods require a prescription which we can fill in our office pharmacy and some are available over-the-counter.

Condoms are sold at our pharmacy at low cost and do not require any pre-appointments. Other low-cost birth control supplies are available at our pharmacy with a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner. All patients considering birth control, or who have never had a pelvic exam before, must make an appointment to attend a free Birth Control Options class before their appointment with a clinician.

Temporary methods of birth control include condoms, diaphragms, spermicidals, IUDs, hormonal implants, and the female birth control "pill." Birth control pills are a popular form of birth control, however, not a good long-term method, as they are associated with cardiovascular complications, and there hormonal influences may increase the risk of some cancers. Tubal ligation is a permanent form of birth control for the woman.

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Slight nausea, mood changes, and occasional mild weight gain are common. Consult your health care provider if these symptoms occur. Serious side effects occur infrequently, especially if you are in good health and do not smoke. If you notice severe pain in chest, head, belly, or lower leg; sudden problems with speech; dizzines; yellow skin or eyes; or breast lump, call your health care provider immediately. ^ Contraceptive FAQ | ^ Top

Abstenance (no sex) is of course 100% effective against pregnancy. Now for the answer that you were looking for: Your other choices for birth control should depend on your bodies chemistry and make-up. What works well for one woman, will not work at all for others. You may have to try different methods until you find what you are comfortable with. You should check with your doctor on these choices.

No. You don't have to go to a doctor to get condoms, lubricants. You can buy a condom from almost any drug store,in many super markets or even on the Internet. For most other types of birth control, you should see your doctor.

When you first start on a new type of birth control method it can take up to three months for your body to adjust to the new hormones. During this time, you may have unpleasant side effects such as breast tenderness, headache, mild nausea and spotting. Most of these disappear within two weeks. However, the spotting may continue irregularly for the remainder of the three months. Your birth control is still working even though you are having break-through-bleeding.

Yes, We provide a full array of contraceptive options and we will help you explore what birth control method will best meet your needs. Free condoms are available in the Pharmacy in the exam rooms, and at the Student Health Promotion Office in the Memorial Union.

If you continued taking your birth control pill because you didn't realize you were pregnant, don't be alarmed. Despite years of this accident happening, there's very little evidence that exposure to the hormones in birth control pills causes birth defects. Still, the birth control pill is a potent estrogen.

It's possible to use standard estrogen-progestin birth control pills for emergency contraception, but check with your doctor for the proper dose and timing of the pills. There is a special type of contraceptive pill that's specifically designed to keep you from becoming pregnant if you've had unprotected vaginal intercourse.

Women often blame the birth control pill for weight gain. But studies have shown that the effect of the birth control pill on weight is small — if it exists at all. However, the way the hormones in birth control pills act on tissues in your breasts, hips and thighs can make you feel as if you've gained weight. This is usually due to fluid retention and not increased body mass or fat.

Scientific evidence suggests using birth control pills for longer periods of time increases your risk of some cancers, such as cervical cancer and liver cancer, but it also decreases your risk of other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. The effect of birth control pills on breast cancer risk isn't quite clear. However, some studies do show a link between pill use and breast cancer.

Birth control pills can affect cholesterol levels. How much of an effect depends on the type of pill you're taking and what concentration of estrogen or progestin it contains. The estrogen in birth control pills causes an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (the "good" cholesterol), a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (the "bad" cholesterol) and an increase in your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Birth control pills may increase blood pressure. The risk of high blood pressure in women who take birth control pills also increases with age and the duration of use. If you take birth control pills, have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you already have high blood pressure, consider an alternative form of birth control. If you do choose to take the pill, have your blood pressure closely monitored by your doctor.

The effects of antibiotics on birth control pills may be overstated — except in the case of one antibiotic, rifampin. Studies clearly show that rifampin decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills in preventing ovulation. However, rifampin isn't a widely used antibiotic. Chances are you wouldn't be taking it unless you had tuberculosis or had tested positive for the disease.

A woman still goes through menopause even if she is taking birth control pills. But she may not know it. Menopause occurs naturally when your ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone. Eventually your menstrual periods stop, and you can no longer become pregnant. Signs and symptoms of decreased production of estrogen and progesterone include hot flashes, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness.

Yes it is an effective method when used as directed. It can be inserted up to 2 hours before intercourse, so it does not alter the mood set when ready for sex as much as other similar methods. It is also less expensive per month than the pill. This method is not for everyone. Some females do not like the preperation steps. As an HIV protection, condoms should be used with a diaphragm & spermicide when you are not with the same partner who has been tested for HIV.

Yes, very much so. They can help reduce your menstrual cramps, regulate irregular periods, and make your menstrual flow lighter. The pill is also known to decrease the risk of ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cysys, breast cysts, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). They will also help with acne.

Although the incidence of contraceptive failure is low, birth control pills are less effective when combined with many types of antibiotics or St. John’s Wort herbal remedies. If you are using either of these medications while on birth control pills, you should use a back-up method of birth control during and for at least seven days after you finish your course of antibiotics.