Contraception in Central Texas

Are you wanting to explore your alternatives for contraception beyond condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and other barrier methods to prevent pregnancy? Our experienced doctors at the Caring Center for Women have treated women for more than 25 years with birth control medications to assist in the prevention of pregnancies. When you choose to seek out more information about birth control pills, intrauterine devices, implants, or injections, the options may be overwhelming. Drs. Irwin, Blaue, Fay, Reid, Schumann, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., and Hermann at our New Braunfels, TX facility will privately consult with you after a physical exam and a discussion about your lifestyle, medications, and medical/family history to determine the suitable one for you. Our team will help you learn more about the risks and benefits of each type of contraception and select a treatment right for your needs.

This section is a brief overview of each of our treatment options available at the Caring Center for Women.

Birth control pills can be prescribed monthly and must be taken by mouth daily. This can be a short-term option for protection against pregnancy when taken as directed. Your birth control pills cannot be missed. If pills are missed, a barrier method will need to be used to help prevent pregnancy.

Intrauterine devices (IUD) like the FDA-approved Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, or Paragard can all be placed into the uterus by one of our obstetrician-gynecologists. An IUD can be hormone-releasing or a hormone-free contraception that is does not have to be taken every day and only your doctor should remove it.

The Mirena (52 mg), Kyleena (19.5 mg), and Skyla (13.5 mg) are levonorgestrel-releasing devices that can protect you from pregnancy for up to five years. Our doctors can place or remove this hormone-releasing IUD in an office visit. If you would like to become pregnant before the IUD has to be replaced in five years, you can make an office appointment to have it removed and start trying to conceive without delay.

Paragard is an intrauterine copper device that does not use hormones to protect you from pregnancy. For up to 10 years, the copper in Paragard can effectively interfere with implantation by disturbing egg fertilization and/or sperm movement inside the uterus.

Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injections are also available for our patients at the Caring Center for Women. These routine injections must be performed every three months (12 weeks) to be effective at preventing ovulation. The Depo shot is given carefully in the arm or buttocks. When this hormone is released in your body, you will stop ovulating and will not have a menstrual period or a thickening of the uterine lining. It may take 9 – 12 months after the last shot is given to become pregnant. Your body will acclimate to having a period again during this time, and it may take several cycles to become consistent again.

In our office, we offer a contraception embedded in the arm called NEXPLANON, which is a 68 mg Estonogest implant. This type of contraceptive can be felt in the arm and can remain placed in your arm for up to three years of continuous pregnancy prevention. If you decide to start trying to conceive, you may have the implant removed early and might become pregnant when in the right stage of the next menstrual cycle.

While you will be protected against getting pregnant, none of our contraception methods prevent the transmission of sexually-transmitted diseases or HIV. If you have other questions or concerns about starting birth control, please ask at your contraception evaluation appointment.

Our option in contraception at the Caring Center for Women involve daily management of pills to the longer-lasting and maintenance-free coverage to prevent pregnancy. From hormone-releasing pills, implants and injections, we have a menu of different types of medical courses to choose from when selecting a method of choice. We may require a pelvic exam to begin your contraception medications. Schedule your private consultation today at our New Braunfels, TX facility. We can help you choose the right birth control for your body and lifestyle.