Birth Control and Contraception

Did you know that over 3 million American women experience unintended pregnancies every year? Almost half of these women are not using contraception. Women who use birth control and become pregnant do so because of incorrect or inconsistent use of their contraception method. Your health is precious. Please make the best choice in birth control with your health in mind at all times.

If you choose to prevent pregnancy, please weigh the advantages and disadvantages of contraception methods and make the choice that fits your (and your partner’s) lifestyle. At A Woman’s Choice, we can help you learn about the array of birth control methods available. When selecting a form of birth control, we ask you to consider your lifestyle, the cost and effectiveness of the method, and your health history. What follows are the types of birth control methods and prices available at A Woman’s Choice.

Birth Control from a Pharmacy Is Usually More Expensive

At a pharmacy, you might spend anywhere from $20 to $50 for a 1-month prescription of birth control. Of course, prices vary depending upon the contraception option and your Insurance coverage. Often, your Insurance plan will limit the doctor to a specific brand or type of birth control. At A Woman’s Choice, you have more choices and prices are often less as listed below.

Numerous Brands of “The Pill:” 3-MONTH SUPPLY
Made available in 1960, the pill is the most popular type of birth control. One pill is taken every day for three consecutive weeks. The fourth week, inactive pills are taken to allow for menstruation.

“Daily Pills” for Fewer Periods: 3-MONTH SUPPLY
Approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 2003, a pill is taken daily for three months. After the third month, inactive pills are taken for a week to allow for menstruation.

Vaginal Ring: 3-MONTH SUPPLY
The vaginal ring is a small, flexible and transparent ring inserted into the vagina once a month. It works like “the pill” except the medication is absorbed by the membranes of the vagina, rather than taken orally. It is a good alternative for women who may forget to take a pill every day, because one ring is good for a month. The brand name of the ring is NuvaRing.

Depo-Provera Injection – LASTS 3 MONTHS
Depo-Provera (DPMA) is a hormonal, intramuscular injection that provides contraception for 3 months. DPMA is reversible, but return to fertility may be delayed when compared to other methods of contraception.

The Patch: 3-MONTH SUPPLY
The Patch is a small band-aid-like patch applied on the skin. It is worn for one week and replaced by another patch each week for a total of three weeks. This is followed by one week of no patch to allow for menstruation. This alternative is a good one for women who may forget to take a pill every day because patches need changing only once a week. However, this method is limited to patients who weigh less than 175 pounds. The brand name of the patch is “Ortho Evra.”

Intrauterine Device (IUD) – LASTS 10 YEARS
The IUD is a small device made of plastic, metal, or both, and does not contain hormones. “Paragard” is the only brand name IUD currently available in the United States. It is designed for women who do not plan to get pregnant for a long time. The IUD can remain in the uterus up to 10 years.

Intrauterine System (IUS): – LASTS 5 YEARS
The IUS is a small device made of plastic, metal, or both, and progressively releases a hormone. The hormone reduces the risk of heavier periods that may occur with the IUD. “Mirena” is the only brand name IUS currently available in the United States. It can remain in the uterus up to 5 years.