Birth control refers to various methods designed to prevent pregnancy. It encompasses a range of techniques, including pills, patches, implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), condoms, and more. People of diverse backgrounds, gender identities, and ages use birth control in Rockville and Laurel, MD, for various reasons. It's not solely for preventing pregnancy. For example, it can also help regulate periods, manage hormonal imbalances, and alleviate menstrual symptoms like cramps and acne.
Whether you're sexually active or seeking to address specific health concerns, discussing birth control options with your gynecologist at Capital Women's Care Division 64 is essential. If you're considering becoming sexually active, it's vital to have this conversation to understand the available choices and their suitability for your body. For instance, if you're experiencing irregular menstrual cycles, discussing birth control can help regulate your periods.
For those already using birth control, periodic discussions with your gynecologist are crucial. Changes in health, lifestyle, or plans for conception may necessitate a switch in birth control methods or adjustments in the current one. It's essential to maintain an open dialogue with your gynecologist at Capital Women's Care Division 64 to ensure you're well-informed about the options available, understand their implications, and select the most suitable method for your health and lifestyle.
Birth Control: Explained
Birth control methods work by either preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg or by inhibiting ovulation, the release of eggs from the ovaries. Various types of birth control in Rockville and Laurel, MD, exist, including hormonal methods such as birth control pills, patches, and injections. These methods use hormones like estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation and also thicken cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.
Barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps physically block sperm from entering the uterus. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small T-shaped devices placed in the uterus that can be hormonal or non-hormonal, preventing sperm from reaching the egg and altering the uterine environment to deter pregnancy. Additionally, permanent methods like tubal ligation or vasectomy are available, which involve surgical procedures for permanent sterilization.
Birth control pills, when taken consistently, prevent ovulation by regulating hormone levels in your body. Meanwhile, condoms act as a barrier method, preventing sperm from entering the body. IUDs, like the hormonal Mirena, release hormones to prevent pregnancy and are inserted into your uterus by our gynecologist.
When to Contact Our Gynecologist To Discuss Birth Control
Discuss birth control with Capital Women's Care Division 64 before becoming sexually active, starting a new relationship, or when current birth control needs change. Regular check-ups or health concerns also prompt discussion. Our gynecologists offer guidance, assess suitability, and provide options tailored to your health.
Please explore our website to learn about the conditions we treat and the services provided. We have three convenient locations for patients with questions or concerns regarding birth control in Rockville and Laurel, MD. To consult one of many physicians at Capital Women's Care Division 64, call (301) 468-0073 for appointment scheduling at all locations.