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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.
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