Birth Control & Contraception Specialist

Advanced OBGYN

OBGYNs & Robotic Surgeons located in Brooklyn, NY & Upper East Side, New York, NY

No single type of contraception is right for every woman. Several factors may need to be considered to make the right choice. But many women appreciate the convenience of intrauterine devices (IUDs), which are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy and require no ongoing effort. To find out more about IUDs, call or make an appointment online today with Dr. Hayama Brill or Dr. Kamila Agayeva at Advanced OBGYN, located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, Upper East Side.

Birth Control & Contraception Q & A

What is birth control?

Also referred to as contraception, any method, medicine, or device used to prevent pregnancy is considered birth control. Your choice of birth control may depend on several factors. The doctors at Advanced OBGYN will help you pick the right birth control for you, taking into account:

  • Your health
  • The effectiveness of various methods
  • Side effects
  • Ease of use
  • Whether you’d like to have children later
  • Frequency of sexual activity and number of partners
  • Whether you’re concerned about preventing sexually transmitted diseases

What are the different types of birth control?

There are five main birth control methods:

Sterilization

Sterilization is a medical procedure — either tubal ligation or occlusion — that permanently prevents pregnancy.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC)

These types of birth control — intrauterine devices and hormonal implants —  are inserted into your uterus and don’t require any maintenance. They prevent pregnancy for up to 12 years.

Short-Acting Hormonal Methods

Short-acting hormonal birth control can be in the form of pills, minipills, patches, shots, and vaginal rings. They provide synthetic versions of hormones to prevent you from ovulating. To be effective, they must be used as directed.

Barrier Methods

These include condoms, diaphragms, sponges, and cervical caps. As the name suggests, they work by preventing sperm from reaching eggs. They need to be employed every time you have sex.

Natural Rhythm Methods

This involves monitoring your menstrual cycle, so you know when you’re ovulating and at your most fertile. The idea is to avoid having sex on those days. It’s the least-effective form of birth control.

What are the benefits of birth control?

Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, birth control methods that use hormones can provide other benefits including:

Acne Reduction

Combination birth control pills — those that contain both estrogen and progestin — reduce the levels of the hormone androgen in your body. Since androgen helps produce the oils in your skin, they may reduce the number and severity of breakouts.

Lighter Periods

The hormones in some birth control methods reduce the number of prostaglandins that your body produces, in turn, reducing the thickness of the lining of your uterus. The result is lighter, more predictable periods.

Studies also show that hormonal birth control reduces your risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer, as well as symptoms associated with both endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Many women also report having fewer and less painful migraines.

If you have any questions about birth control, call or make an appointment online today with Dr. Hayama Brill or Dr. Kamila Agayeva at Advanced OBGYN, in Brooklyn or Manhattan, to discuss your options.

What is IUD contraception?

IUD contraception consists of a small T-shaped rod that’s about the size of a quarter. There are two types of IUD contraception:

Hormonal

This type of IUD contraception emits a synthetic form of the hormone progestin and creates a thick cervical mucus that sperm can’t penetrate. The progestin also causes the lining of your uterus to thin, making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to get implanted.

Copper

Copper IUD contraception releases copper ions, which are toxic to sperm and impair their ability to swim.

How is IUD contraception inserted?

When you see either Dr. Brill or Dr. Agayeva for IUD contraception insertion, your doctor reviews your medical history and offers STD tests. She then examines your vagina, cervix, and uterus. Numbing medication gets applied to your cervix to reduce any discomfort that might accompany IUD insertion.

The IUD contraception insertion process takes about five minutes.

What are the benefits of IUD contraception?

Besides being nearly 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, IUD contraception offers additional benefits, including:

Convenience

IUD contraception works for up to 12 years and doesn’t require any:

  • Trips to the pharmacy
  • Pills to take
  • Rings to put in

In fact, once your IUD gets inserted, there’s nothing you need to do to prevent pregnancy.

Reversible

If and when you decide to get pregnant, the doctors at Advanced OBGYN can remove your IUD at any time. Additionally, IUD contraception doesn’t affect your fertility or make it more difficult to get pregnant when you’re ready.

Lighter Periods

Some patients report that their periods completely stop while using hormonal IUD contraception. Even if your period doesn’t cease, you’ll notice a lighter flow, as well as a reduction in cramping and anemia.

Emergency Contraception

When copper IUD contraception gets inserted within five days of having unprotected sex, it's over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

If you’re interested in using an IUD as your birth control method, call or make an appointment online today with Dr. Hayama Brill or Dr. Kamila Agayeva at Advanced OBGYN to learn more.