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Oral Contraceptives
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are a medicine with hormones that you take every day to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills can be a safe, affordable and effective method of birth control if you take them daily. Once you stop taking the pill, it’s possible to get pregnant right away. Birth control pills are known to have some benefits that may reduce or help prevent:
- Acne
- Bone thinning
- Cysts in the breasts and ovaries
- Endometrial and ovarian cancers
- Serious infections in the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus
- Iron deficiency (anemia)
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
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Implants and Patches
Birth Control Implants
A birth control implant is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a match. The rod releases hormones into your body that prevent you from getting pregnant. The implant will be inserted into your arm by a health care professional. This method will prevent you from pregnancy for up to four years. Your doctor can remove it if you decide you want to get pregnant or no longer want it.
Birth Control Patch
You can wear a contraceptive patch on the skin of your belly, upper arm, bottom or back. Every three weeks, you put on a new patch that will stop you from ovulating, meaning there will not be an egg released to meet a sperm. After three weeks of wearing the patch, you get a week off before you repeat the cycle.
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Intrauterine Options
Birth Control Vaginal Ring
The birth control ring is a small, flexible ring you wear inside of your vagina that allows the ring to release hormones into your body. The ring works by stopping sperm from meeting an egg (called fertilization). Your vaginal lining absorbs the hormones, resulting in the loss of ovulation. You insert a new ring each month, and if you’re ready to get pregnant just discontinue use.
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
An IUD is a tiny device that is inserted in your uterus to prevent pregnancy by changing the way the sperm cells move so they can’t get to an egg. It’s a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. IUDs can be an effective form of birth control because there’s little chance of making a mistake with it and you may be protected from pregnancy for 3 to 12 years, depending on the type.
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Injectables
Birth Control Shot
The birth control shot is an injection you get from a nurse or doctor once every few months. This method contains hormones that prevent ovulation, so an egg isn’t released that can connect with sperm. For this method to be effective, you must remember to get your shot every 12-13 weeks. When continuously administered, the birth control shot is considered very effective.
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Permanent Options
Sterilization or Tubal Ligation
Tubal ligation (sometimes called sterilization, female sterilization or “getting your tubes tied”) is a surgical procedure that permanently closes your fallopian tubes. When the fallopian tubes are blocked, sperm can’t get to an egg and cause pregnancy. You still get your period after tubal ligation — you just can’t get pregnant.

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Don't Ignore These Symptoms
The anatomy of a woman’s pelvic organs can change as they age. If you are experiencing any of the following, the American College of OB/GYN’s suggested you may want to call your OB/GYN or midwife:
- Significant pelvic pain or cramps before or during your period
- Bleeding between periods or postmenopausal bleeding
- Heavy or missed periods
- Unusual discharge or soreness in the genital area
- Involuntary release of urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh
- Frequent and sudden uncontrollable need to urinate
- Pain during or after sex
Things That May Cause Reproductive Issues
Living well for a woman has a lot to do with her reproductive health. When everything is in order, your reproductive system goes rather unnoticed. But there are some things that can upset your system that may require assistance from or consultation with a healthcare provider. These include:
- Hormone changes
- Antibiotics
- Intercourse
- Douches
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Pelvic Floor and Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence
If you find yourself racing to the bathroom or leaking each time you cough, laugh or sneeze, you’re not alone. Urinary incontinence is when the muscles that form a sling across the pelvic floor begin to lose their tone. The same weakening of pelvic floor muscles that leads to incontinence can also cause sagging of pelvic organs, including the vagina, uterus, bladder and rectum. The American College of OB/GYN says you may want to speak with your OB/GYN if you are experiencing:
- Leaking urine
- Frequent urination
- Fecal incontinence
- Painful urination
Pelvic Floor Disorders
Pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence and pelvic support problems, don't have to be treated as a normal part of the aging process. Examples of pelvic floor disorders include:
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Bowel incontinence
- Defecation or voiding dysfunction
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Pelvic Pain
The anatomy of a woman’s pelvic organs can change as she ages, which creates a feeling of pelvic pressure or heaviness. These symptoms sometimes indicate pelvic support problems, or prolapse, and can require pelvic reconstruction. There are many conservative treatment options for pelvic support problems, including changes in diet, weight loss and special kinds of exercises. If these changes are insufficient, your physician might recommend pelvic reconstruction surgery.
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Heavy and Irregular Periods
Heavy Periods
According to the American College of OB/GYN, on average, menstrual bleeding lasts about four to five days and the amount of blood lost is small — between two and three tablespoons. You may want to discuss heavy periods with your physician if you:
- Have a menstrual flow that soaks through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row
- Need to double up on protection to control your menstrual flow
- Need to change pads or tampons during the night
- Have menstrual periods lasting more than seven days
- Have a heavy menstrual flow that keeps you from doing the things you would do normally
- Have constant pain in the lower part of the stomach during your periods
- Are tired, lack energy or are short of breath
Irregular Periods
Typically, on average, a woman gets her period every 24 to 38 days, but there are many things that can cause irregular periods. You may have what’s considered irregular periods if:
- The time between each period starts to change
- You lose more or less blood during a period than usual
- The number of days that your period lasts varies significantly
You probably don’t need treatment for irregular periods unless they disrupt your ability to function, or if you need treatment for another condition that’s affecting your menstrual cycle. Contact your provider if you are concerned about pattern changes in your regular, monthly period. You know your body better than anyone.
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Common Vaginal Infections
They’re itchy and uncomfortable, and no one really likes to talk about them. Vaginal infections are very common in women, but it’s important to know which infection you have in order to move forward with the best course of care.
There are three main types of vaginal infections:
- Yeast Infections – Candida fungus is a bacteria that lives in your body and thrives in a warm, moist, airless environment. Symptoms may include vaginal itching and redness accompanied by a thick, white discharge.
- Bacterial Vaginosis – A bacteria called lactobacilli lives in the vagina, and when the level of lactobacilli changes and gets too low, it can be replaced by infection-causing bacteria. This infection typically creates a thick or whitish discharge or one that is slippery and clear. A fishy odor may also be noticeable.
- Trichomonas (Trich) – Trich is a sexually transmitted infection with symptoms that include burning, irritation, redness and localized swelling with vaginal discharge.



