Procedures

Depo-Provera is the brand name for an injectable contraceptive that contains the hormone progestin. Known as medroxyprogesterone acetate, Depo-Provera prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.

It’s given as a shot deep into the muscle every three months. It provides highly reliable contraceptive care without needing daily action.

When and Why It’s Used

There are two main reasons Depo-Provera gets prescribed – for birth control and to manage menstrual disorders.

Birth Control

If you wish to prevent pregnancy but don’t want the responsibility of taking a pill every day, Depo-Provera offers set-it-and-forget-it reliability. You simply show up for an injection every three months – no daily alarms to remember contraception.

Among the prime advantages for birth control are:

• No interrupting sex for contraception
• Often lightens periods or stops them altogether
• Potentially Lowers risk of certain cancers

Depo-Provera works incredibly well at preventing pregnancy when you stick to the injection schedule. In a year of typical use, around 6 out of 100 people get pregnant. However, staying on time with follow-up shots is essential for dependability.

Menstrual Disorder Treatment

For issues such as endometriosis, anemia, fibroids, or seizures affected by the menstrual cycle, Depo-Provera helps suppress the endometrium lining growth and prevent ovulation. Benefits include:

• Lowers severity of menstrual cramps and pain
• Lessens heavy menstrual bleeding
• Protects against uterine and endometrial cancers

Your provider may suggest Depo-Provera if other treatments haven’t resolved bothersome period problems.

How It’s Administered

Because Depo-Provera contains only progestin, most women unable to take estrogen oral contraceptives can use it. A prescription and exam from a gynecologist, primary care provider, or women’s health nurse practitioner are necessary to begin.

During the first visit, expect:

• Discussion of complete medical history
• Possible blood pressure check
• Recommendations for the best starting schedule
• Instructions on side effects and follow-up

Guidelines advise getting your first Depo-Provera dose within five days of delivery if postpartum or within five days after your period begins to ensure you aren’t pregnant already. Other start times may require taking a pregnancy test first.

The Injection Procedure

Administering Depo-Provera takes just a minute. Your provider will:

• Clean the injection area with an alcohol pad
• Insert the needle fully into the muscle of your upper arm/hip/buttocks
• Push down the plunger
• Withdraw and apply light pressure

Leave the site alone afterward – no rubbing or massaging.

Follow-Up Plan

During the first week after the initial dose, using a backup contraception method is suggested. This ensures sufficient progestin levels for preventing pregnancy.

Future injections should occur every 12 weeks. Arriving on time is key to dependability. If over 13 weeks pass between shots, it is paramount to take a pregnancy test before the next dose.

What Happens After the Injection

Soon after injection, Depo-Provera enters the bloodstream and starts working using a few mechanisms:

• Blocking LH production to suppress ovulation
• Slowing transport of egg/sperm through fallopian tubes
• Thickening cervical mucus hinders sperm movement

These effects reliably slam the brakes on pregnancy occurrence for three months.

Bleeding Pattern Changes

Many experience lighter, more regular periods or no bleeding at all while on Depo-Provera. But some have prolonged or heavy monthly bleeding for the first 3-6 months before it lessens.

Discuss your bleeding patterns at follow-up visits. Tracking flow on a calendar helps determine if the problems require further assessment by a professional.

Effectiveness and Risk Factors

With on-time injections every three months, fewer than 1 out of 100 Depo-Provera users get pregnant over a year. However, late shots severely undermine dependability.

After week 13, pregnancy risk before the next injection spikes to 6-7%. Going longer with missed doses heightens the odds further. So, sticking tightly to the injection schedule is paramount for efficacy.

Downsides to Consider

While highly effective at preventing pregnancy when appropriately administered, Depo-Provera does come with some disadvantages:

• No protection against sexually transmitted infections
• Delays return to fertility for up to 10 months post-use
• Causes loss of bone mineral density over time, although this is reversible and bone density typically rebounds after discontinuation

Because progestin-only contraceptives seem to lower STD infection barriers in the reproductive tract, barrier methods such as condoms remain necessary to decrease transmission risks if you are worried about contracting an STI.

Additionally, it may take nearly a year after stopping shots before regular ovulation and periods restart due to the long-acting effects of the medroxyprogesterone acetate depot. Those desiring pregnancy soon may wish to consider shorter-acting methods instead.

Common Early Side Effects

During the first 3-6 months, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Abdominal discomfort
• Irregular spotting

These side effects often progressively resolve as the body adjusts. But notify a provider promptly about serious issues such as breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, blood clots, depression, or heavy bleeding.

Long-term Safety Monitoring

To ensure healthy bone density, gynecologists advise:

• Calcium/vitamin D supplementation
• Weight-bearing exercise
• Limiting alcohol/tobacco

These measures counteract bone loss from medroxyprogesterone acetate. Adult women using Depo-Provera for contraception or menstrual problems should plan annual well-woman visits to discuss side effect concerns, bleeding patterns, and the option to switch methods after a few years to avoid bone health impacts.

Consult with Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness to Determine if Depo-Provera Is Right For You

Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness offers personalized guidance in all forms of birth control, from oral contraceptives to long-acting options such as Depo-Provera.

Our top priority is tailoring recommendations to each patient’s unique health status, reproductive goals, and lifestyle.

Contact us today at (919) 636-6670 or set up an appointment online so our team can help you find the reproductive option that best suits your needs.

If you’re similar to most women, you probably look forward to the onset of your period about as much as a root canal. While menstruation is a normal biological process, that doesn’t make coping with its more unpleasant symptoms, such as migraines, cramps, and heavy bleeding, any easier.

The good news? There are now more contraceptive care options than ever to help provide some much-needed menstrual relief. Several types of hormonal birth control can regulate your monthly cycle. Hence, you experience fewer issues such as painful periods or irregular bleeding.

These contraceptives deliver a steady supply of hormones – usually estrogen and progestin or progestin alone – that stop the ovaries from releasing eggs and the uterus from shedding its lining as often. That means lighter, shorter, and more predictable periods.

Hormonal Options for Menstrual Management

If you struggle with difficult menstrual symptoms, contraceptives containing hormones could help get them under better control. Here’s an overview of the various formulations now available by prescription for cycle regulation:

• The Pill: Oral contraceptive pills provide estrogen and progestin in tablet form taken daily. Traditional 21-day packs have you take hormones for three weeks, followed by a one-week break to allow bleeding. But extended or continuous pill regimens let you delay or even cease periods altogether.
• The Patch: The weekly contraceptive skin patch sticks onto your body to transmit hormones transdermally. Just remember to change patches routinely.
• The Ring: This flexible vaginal ring releases a steady amount of estrogen and progestin directly where needed when inserted monthly.
• The Shot: An injection of the hormone progestin alone every three months offers convenience and high effectiveness for patients wanting to space out periods.
• Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): Progestin based IUDs placed in the uterus supply constant light doses of progestin for as many as eight years. They commonly result in lighter menstruation and fewer days of bleeding over time.

Perks of Hormonal Management

Juggling monthly menses along with school, jobs, relationships and more poses enough challenges without problematic periods worsening quality of life. Hormonal contraceptives offer a range of potential benefits that could make your cycle much more tolerable:

• Regulates irregular, unpredictable periods
• Results in lighter monthly bleeding
• Reduces the number of bleeding days
• Minimizes painful menstrual cramps
• Improves PMS symptoms such as bloating and mood swings
• Manages conditions leading to painful periods, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids
• Clears up hormonal acne breakouts
• Eliminates monthly periods with some formulations

What to Consider When Choosing Your Method

With so many hormonal birth control options available now for managing your flow, it can feel overwhelming to select the right one for your situation. Take these key factors into account when discussing choices with your women’s health provider:

• Effectiveness: Consider contraceptives over 90% effective at preventing pregnancy for maximum security in avoiding surprise periods.
• Duration: Do you want short-acting methods such as pills needing daily dosing or long-lasting coverage from an IUD over several years?
• Side Effects: Each formulation has unique potential side effects to understand before starting, such as breakthrough bleeding, headaches, or injection site reactions.
• Adherence/Monitoring: Will you reliably take a daily tablet or get quarterly shots without forgetting? Can you check weekly that your patch stays securely adhered or that your ring gets replaced on schedule?
• Upfront Costs vs. Long-Term: While you might save money eventually by not paying for frequent physician visits or refills with options such as IUDs, they may require more expensive upfront costs for the device and placement procedure.
• Insurance Coverage: Verify what contraceptive care options your health plan covers fully or partially and any associated copays or deductibles.

Eliminating Monthly Bleeding Entirely

While hormonal contraceptives mainly aim to establish lighter, shorter, and more regular menstrual cycles, some also give you the option to stop monthly bleeding completely.

Eliminating withdrawal bleeding offers convenience and relief from associated nuisance side effects such as cramps, headaches, or tiredness. Discuss with your clinician whether continuous regimens without regular bleeding breaks may suit your lifestyle and health status.

Most formulations, from pills to shots, enable extending the active hormone phase to delay menses if desired. Options such as the oral contraceptive Amethyst allow for complete cycle suppression taking hormones nonstop for 365 days.

Multiple studies confirm the safety of such regimens for most women. Talk to your doctor about extended regimen or continuous cycle suppression if this sounds appealing to you.

Partner with Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness to Achieve Menstrual Relief Through Contraceptive Care

If frustrating monthly symptoms interfere with feeling your best while hindering your ability to fully participate in academics, careers, relationships, and everything else important to you, don’t hesitate to seek personalized contraceptive guidance.

Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness’s experienced team offers expert care focused solely on supporting optimal women’s health and well-being at every age and stage of life.

We’ll listen with empathy, thoroughly evaluate your unique situation, educate and counsel you on all options, and then collaborate to find the ideal individualized solutions for your needs and priorities.

Contact us today at (919) 636-6670 or book an appointment online to discover how we can help you harness the power of contraceptive hormones to finally tame troublesome periods for good.

An IUD (intrauterine device) offers safe, effective, long-lasting contraception. This small, T-shaped device is positioned inside the uterus and has the potential to protect you from getting pregnant for 3-10 years, depending on the type.

Correct preparation for your IUD insertion appointment will help ensure everything goes smoothly.

Understanding What to Expect

When you arrive for your IUD insertion, you’ll provide a urine sample so the doctor can confirm you are not pregnant before proceeding.

You’ll undress from the waist down and lie on the exam table with your feet positioned in stirrups, as would happen with a pelvic exam. The doctor will do an internal exam to assess how big your uterus is and its position.

For the IUD insertion, the doctor will employ a speculum to gently open your vagina to be able to reach your cervix. The cervix will be cleaned, and a slim instrument will be inserted through the cervical opening and into the uterus to place the IUD correctly.

You may experience cramping during this process. The thin IUD strings will be trimmed and left hanging a few centimeters so the IUD’s placement can be verified later. From start to finish, the insertion generally takes just a few minutes.

Eating Well and Staying Hydrated

It’s best not to have an empty stomach before your IUD insertion. Eat a snack or a small meal so you aren’t starving. Being overly hungry can sometimes lead to feeling lightheaded or dizzy.

Drinking plenty of water is also important. Staying well hydrated can help prevent those unpleasant sensations some women experience when standing up after the insertion.

Taking a Pain Reliever

You may experience cramping during and right after getting your IUD. An OTC pain medication such as ibuprofen can help relieve many of these cramps.

Take the ibuprofen 30 minutes before your appointment time, so it has time to kick in. The medication will then already be working to alleviate discomfort during the insertion procedure.

What to Wear to Your Appointment

For your comfort, wear loose-fitting clothing to your insertion appointment. Items such as soft pants, a dress, or a skirt are ideal since they won’t put pressure on your abdomen. You’ll need to remove your clothing below the waist, so wear underwear you don’t mind exposing.

A special sanitary pad will be provided after the insertion to catch any spotting initially. Consider bringing your own pad or panty liner to change into afterward as a backup.

Caring for Yourself Afterwards

It’s typical to have some light bleeding and cramping for a few days to weeks following IUD insertion as your body adjusts.

OTC pain relievers can minimize any discomfort you feel. Heating pads placed on the abdomen may also provide relief.

You should avoid strenuous activity for between one and two days. That means steering clear of vigorous exercise and heavy lifting of anything that’s 30 lbs or more.

Do not insert anything such as tampons or sex toys into the vagina for at least 5-7 days to lower infection risks. It is best not to have sex for a week after IUD insertion.

Be sure to keep your follow-up visit with your doctor to have the IUD placement checked four to six weeks later.

Contact your physician right away if you have concerns about possible improper positioning, heavy bleeding, severe cramps, pain during sex, vaginal odor or fever.

Looking Ahead with Your IUD

Once settled in after those first few weeks, an IUD offers exceptional contraception without maintenance or effort on your part. The device prevents pregnancy for years.

With typical use, the IUD is above 99% effective for pregnancy prevention. That means you can rest easy knowing your chances of becoming pregnant are extremely low.

There is no need to remember daily pills or use condoms to make sure you avoid getting pregnant (though it’s still wise to use condoms to prevent contracting a sexually transmitted infection).

IUDs free you to enjoy intimacy whenever the mood strikes. Of course, no birth control is 100% perfect at preventing pregnancy.

If you were to get pregnant with your IUD, it could lead to severe complications such as ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth or miscarriage.

That’s why it’s essential to contact your doctor promptly about a suspected pregnancy so that.. any potential issues can be promptly identified and managed.

Rely on Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness for Smooth IUD Insertion

The Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness team has extensive IUD experience. We take time to thoughtfully discuss your options to decide if an IUD fits your family planning needs.

Skilled insertion and follow-up care help ensure our patients have the best possible results with their IUDs. We also treat any gynecologic issues that arise to support optimal well-being.

Contact us today at (919) 636-6670 or online to learn more or schedule a consultation.

An intrauterine device, or IUD, offers convenient and effective long-term birth control without remembering daily pills. As popular as IUDs are becoming due to such benefits, some still hesitate about getting one due to concerns over the insertion being painful.

It’s understandable to feel anxious. But rest assured, there are numerous methods available to help make getting an IUD placed comfortably manageable.

While every woman experiences sensations differently during the procedure, using at least one pain management approach often makes all the difference in minimizing discomfort.

From at-home tips beforehand to in-office relief choices during and aftercare, once it’s in place, you can take steps to ease the insertion process.

Arm yourself with the knowledge of all the techniques available, communicate with your gynecology provider about your preferences, and take an active role in your comfort.

Before the Appointment: Prepare Your Body and Mind

Taking action before your scheduled IUD insertion date can set you up for success in lowering pain once the procedure begins. Consider the following self-care tactics:

Take a Low-Dose Pain Reliever

About an hour before your insertion appointment, take 400-800 mg of an over-the-counter ibuprofen or other NSAID tablet with food and water.

This helps reduce levels of prostaglandins, substances similar to hormones that trigger uterine cramping. Just be sure not to exceed dosage recommendations.

Have a Light Meal

Don’t arrive at your procedure with an empty stomach. This can make you feel faint or dizzy during the procedure, heightening discomfort. Eat something light an hour or two beforehand.

Time it Right

Schedule your insertion appointment, ideally, while you’re still on your period or very soon after it ends when the cervix is naturally more open and soft. This reduces the dilation required during insertion, making it easier to place the IUD correctly.

You may be able to feel your cervix during this time period to determine if it seems softened and dilated enough to proceed comfortably with insertion.

While timing with your cycle isn’t always possible, if you have flexibility, try arranging it for maximum comfort.

Address Emotions with Your Provider

It’s completely normal to feel some anxiety about the prospect of pain or the procedure itself. Share any emotional concerns openly with your gynecology provider beforehand so they can reassure you and even prescribe an anti-anxiety medication if helpful. Feeling relaxed and cared for emotionally helps minimize distress.

Lean on Social Support

If permitted, bring a trusted friend or relative to your insertion appointment for moral support before and after. While they may not be allowed in the exam room, having someone there to talk to during prep and drive you home safely afterward can aid in comfort.

Try Meditation and Deep Breathing

In the days before insertion, begin practicing deep breathing, meditation, or similar relaxation skills when feeling nervous.

Then, tap into these during the procedure to stay calm and centered, reducing muscular tension that can worsen pain. Let your care team know the calming tactics you find most effective.

In the Exam Room: Options to Minimize Discomfort

Once you arrive for your IUD insertion, the real deal begins, but that doesn’t mean you must grit your teeth and bear excruciating pain during the process.

You have choices available right then and there for managing discomfort thanks to advances in pain control approaches suitable for outpatient gynecologic procedures.

Discuss any of the following with your women’s health provider to decide which combination offers you the highest degree of relief:

Paracervical Block

This targeted method involves injecting a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, at the base of the cervix to numb the area. Evidence shows it may minimize pain during and for a short time following the insertion, although some patients experience discomfort during the injection itself.

More clinicians now routinely offer paracervical blocks, but if yours doesn’t, ask if they think it would be a helpful option for you. There are some mild risks, such as dizziness or numbing of the vagina. Still, most women tolerate it exceptionally well for the pain relief benefit

Oral Medication

Beyond over-the-counter NSAID tablets taken beforehand at home, some physicians also provide stronger prescription oral pain medications right before insertion at their office.

These may incorporate opioids such as hydrocodone or oxycodone, anti-inflammatories such as celecoxib, muscle relaxers including cyclobenzaprine, anti-anxiety agents such as alprazolam, and other formulations alone or in combination.

Oral meds with a sedative effect can be especially helpful for those experiencing extreme anxiety exacerbating pain perception. Discuss the pros and cons with your clinician to decide if medical pain control fits your situation.

Stay in Your Body with Distraction

Try distraction techniques to keep your mind occupied so it’s less focused on physical discomfort.

Options include listening to music or a meditation app with provided headphones, actively conversing with staff during the procedure, scrolling social media on your phone if permitted, or even squeezing a stress object with your hands. Tuning into sensations apart from those in your pelvic region diminishes distress for many patients.

Breathe and Relax Pelvic Muscles

Remember to employ the breathing you practiced to inhale and exhale fully, along with intentionally relaxing your pelvic muscles instead of tensing up.

During insertion, stay centered in your body in the present moment. Through calm focus, you can circumvent anxiety, which leads to clenching, making pain worse.

Let Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness Help You Manage IUD Insertion Discomfort

The Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness team abides by the philosophy that our patients come first, and your personalized needs are our priority for supporting excellent gynecologic health.

We offer caring guidance focused on empowering you to make the best decisions for your body and life circumstances regarding birth control options and all aspects of women’s well-being care.

If you’re interested in learning more about managing discomfort during IUD insertion, call us today at (919) 636-6670 or book an appointment online to meet with one of our highly trained d gynecology specialists.

Intrauterine devices, commonly known as IUDs, have become an increasingly popular birth control option for women in Raleigh seeking to shape their families on their own terms.

IUD use has grown steadily over the past decade as new types have become available and women learn more about the benefits IUDs can offer for conception planning.

For women who may not be ready to have children yet or who wish to space out pregnancies, IUDs provide a safe, effective, and empowering contraceptive solution.

What Are the IUD Options Available?

There are two main categories of IUDs to choose from: hormonal IUDs and the non-hormonal copper IUD. Hormonal IUDs work by releasing a steady dosage of progestin into the woman’s uterus.

Progestin thickens the cervical mucus, thereby preventing sperm from encountering an egg. Popular hormonal IUD brands include Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, and Skyla. Depending on the type, these can remain in place for 3-8 years.

The copper IUD comes with a small quantity of copper instead of using hormones. The copper triggers an inflammatory response in the uterus that creates unpleasant conditions for sperm, which in turn prevents fertilization.

The copper IUD, available under the Paragard brand name, lasts up to 10 years. Both hormonal and copper IUDs are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

They can be removed from the uterus at any time by a medical provider when a woman wishes to conceive. This reversibility makes IUDs a convenient option for family planning.

Deciding Which IUD is Right for You

Selecting the ideal IUD depends on several personal factors. Hormonal IUDs are the best choice for women who prefer lighter periods or even no periods at all. They can reduce menstrual bleeding and cramping over time.

The copper IUD is a better option for women who would prefer to avoid hormonal contraception and are okay with monthly menstruation.

However, copper IUDs may lead to heavier bleeding and more severe cramps, especially in the first 3-6 months after insertion.

The duration an IUD remains effective is another consideration. Those done with childbearing may opt for a longer-lasting IUD of 5-10 years.

Women who might want to have more kids can select a shorter-acting IUD of 3-5 years.

It is wise to discuss your menstrual preferences, birth control needs, and future family plans with your gynecologist.

Together, you can decide which IUD type and duration is optimal for your lifestyle and conception goals. Do not hesitate to ask questions to make sure you choose the right contraceptive option to empower your family planning journey.

Using IUDs for Family Planning

One of the greatest advantages of IUDs is that they allow women to determine if and when they want to have children.

An IUD can be inserted after giving birth, providing immediate contraception if more time is desired before another pregnancy. When a woman feels ready for another baby, the IUD can be removed.

Fertility quickly returns after IUD removal, so trying to get pregnant can begin right away. For women who know they eventually want children but aren’t quite ready yet, an IUD empowers them to both delay and plan pregnancies.

IUDs also enable women to space out pregnancies in a healthy manner. After one child is born, a new IUD can allow the mother’s body to fully recover before conceiving again.

By preventing closely spaced pregnancies, IUDs provide women control over family planning in a way that is best for their bodies.

In short, IUDs offer women a reversible contraception option convenient for shaping one’s family as desired. They allow you to determine the when, if, and how of pregnancy and childbearing.

IUD Insertion and Removal

Getting an IUD involves a quick and simple procedure in the doctor’s office. Your gynecologist will insert a speculum to visualize the cervix and then gently guide the folded IUD through the cervical opening and into the uterus.

You may experience cramping during insertion, which typically lasts under 5 minutes. Ibuprofen taken about an hour before can help reduce the unpleasant sensations.

It is common to have light bleeding or cramps for a few days following IUD insertion. These side effects generally resolve within 3-6 months as your body adjusts.

IUDs can be removed anytime through a similarly fast and uncomplicated process. Schedule an appointment with your gynecologist when you are ready to have the IUD taken out.

The majority of women can safely turn to IUDs for effective family planning. However, those with current gynecological infections or serious medical problems may not be the ideal candidates. Always share your complete medical history with your doctor to determine if an IUD is appropriate for you.

Shape Your Family Planning Journey with Confidence with Guidance from Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

When it comes to family planning, being informed, empowered, and in control of your fertility is invaluable. IUDs offer women in Raleigh a convenient and personalized way to shape their families on their terms.

The Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness team is here to guide you in understanding the IUD options to find your perfect match.

Whether you know exactly what you want or need help weighing the pros and cons, our experts will listen to your needs and goals to ensure that the contraceptive method you choose truly fits your life.

Contact Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today at (919) 636-6670 or book an online consultation to take charge of your future with an IUD tailored for you.