Routine Gynecologic Care

Choosing a regular method of birth control is a big decision. The most effective methods often come with drawbacks that must be considered, so it is important to understand the pros and cons of each approach before making a decision. Here is a look at the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular birth control methods available.

The Pill

The birth control pill is one of the most popular forms of hormonal birth control. When it is used correctly, it boasts an effectiveness rate of 99 percent. Keep in mind that there is a wide variety of birth control pills on the market, and some have their own specific considerations. However, this also means that if one does not work for you, you may be able to find a different one that works better for your body chemistry.

Pros

• It is noninvasive in the sense that there is nothing to insert or implant.
• Many types can help reduce hormonal acne.
• Women can take it in a manner that enables them to skip their period every month, if desired.
• It can reduce the severity of symptoms associated with PMS.
• You can stop taking it whenever you wish and start trying for a family.

Cons

• Depending on your age, health, and other factors, it may raise your risk of blood clots and stroke.
• To enjoy its full effectiveness, it must be taken at the same time every day without fail.
• Some women may experience mood swings.

Hormonal IUD

A hormonal IUD is a device that your gynecologist inserts into your uterus that releases a small amount of progesterone into the system. This hormone can prevent pregnancy from occurring. Hormonal IUDs offer protection from pregnancy for several years.

Pros

• This is considered a set-it-and-forget-it method because you only have to have the device inserted once and can enjoy up to eight years of protection.
• It can make your period lighter or cause your periods to stop altogether.
• It has lower doses of hormones than the birth control pill.
• It offers the highest efficacy rate of all hormonal types of birth control.

Cons

• A gynecologist must insert and remove the device.
• It can be expensive for those whose insurance does not cover it.
• It can stop your period from coming altogether, which some women may find distressing despite being considered safe.

Copper IUD

A copper IUD is a type of intrauterine device that does not release hormones to prevent pregnancy. Instead, the copper that is used to make the device can deter sperm by killing them or pushing them to swim away from your egg.

Pros

• They are more than 99.9 percent effective, which is as close to perfect as you will find.
• They can last for as long as 10 years, making them a great choice for women who are certain they do not wish to start a family any time soon.
• Unlike hormonal IUDs, you will still have your period every month, which many women find reassuring.

Cons

• In some women, a copper IUD may cause their periods to be heavier or their premenstrual cramps to be more intense.
• Some women will experience irregular spotting during the first few months following insertion.

Condoms

For women who would rather not interfere with the natural hormones in their body or those who have had negative side effects while using hormonal birth control, barrier methods such as condoms form an impenetrable barrier between sperm and the cervix.

Pros

• There is no need to remember to take a birth control pill every day. Instead, you just need to ensure you have condoms on hand when you wish to have sex.
• It makes cleanup after sex easier.
• They offer protection not only from pregnancy but also from sexually transmitted infections, some of which can put your health at serious risk.
• Female internal condoms can be placed as much as eight hours prior to sex, which means foreplay does not have to be paused for insertion.

Cons

• Condoms can rip or come off accidentally, potentially rendering them ineffective.
• For some people, they may reduce sensation to some degree.
• You have to remember to use one and place it properly every time you have sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

The Patch

A birth control patch is stuck onto the skin, where it releases a controlled dose of hormones that can prevent pregnancy into the bloodstream.

Pros

• The patch only needs to be replaced one time per week, which means there is less to remember than there is with methods such as contraceptive pills and condoms.
• It is easy to remove if you wish to become pregnant.
• It can be 99 percent effective when it is used correctly.
• Side effects tend to be very mild.

Cons

• You must remember to replace the patch every week at the same time. This means there could be a chance of human error if you do not set automatic reminders.
• Although it is 99 percent effective when used correctly, its efficacy rate with typical use is only 91 percent.
• Although side effects are often mild, they do occur and may include breast tenderness, skin irritation, nausea, and headaches.

Discuss Your Options With the Experienced Raleigh Gynecologists

Every woman is unique, and there is no universally perfect choice of birth control. To explore the right options for your age, health status, and family planning concerns, schedule an appointment with the experienced North Carolina gynecologists at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today.

There will come a time when every woman needs to visit a gynecologist. Even if you are not sexually active, visiting a gynecologist is a vital part of maintaining health throughout your life. The prospect of your first visit to a gynecologist can be extremely daunting, and it is not unusual to be uncomfortable with the idea of having a doctor examine your vagina and discuss sensitive topics related to your health.

For many women, knowing what to expect can take some of the intimidation out of the process. Here is a look at what you need to know ahead of your first appointment.

Know Why You Are Going

When you go to your first appointment, you need to have a clear idea of the reason for your visit. Many girls will go to the gynecologist for the first time between ages 13 and 15 as this is the age recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Younger women may not have anything specific that they need to discuss at this point, but it is still a good idea to think of any questions you want to ask beforehand.

However, many women do not see a gynecologist until they are ready to obtain birth control. If this is the purpose of your visit, it is a good idea to research the options and learn more about the types of birth control you are considering so that you can come up with questions ahead of time. In addition, preparation can help you feel calmer about the visit.

Know What Happens in a Pelvic Exam

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For many women, a pelvic exam is the most intimidating part of the process. Keep in mind, however, that if you are under the age of 21, you may not need to undergo a pelvic exam or a Pap test unless you are sexually active, have health concerns such as painful periods or abnormal bleeding, or are requesting sexually transmitted infection testing. Once you reach age 21, however, a yearly pelvic exam and a Pap test is recommended.

In a pelvic exam, your doctor will examine your vulva and all of the parts that you can see on the outside of your body. Then, they will insert a device known as a speculum to hold your vagina open so they can get a better look at its walls and your cervix. During this time, they will use a flat, gentle scraping device or soft brush to obtain samples for your Pap test, if applicable. This test checks for abnormalities that may indicate the presence of cervical cancer. Although this may sound worrying, keep in mind that it is rare and treatable in many cases. This part of the exam doesn’t usually last longer than a minute and is not uncomfortable for most women.

They will also check your uterus and ovaries with their fingers or with a sonogram device. This is also a relatively quick check. Your doctor may also perform a breast exam. Although young women generally have a low risk of breast cancer, your doctor may take the opportunity to show you how you can examine your own breasts to identify any changes.

Know Your Family’s Medical History

At your first gynecologist visit, your doctor will want to know about any medical conditions that you have, past surgeries, and medications that you are taking. If you have a complicated health history, you may wish to jot this information down before your appointment.

They will also ask about your family’s medical history, particularly anything in your mother’s health history related to blood clots and cancers affecting women. For example, if you have a family history of blood clots, your doctor may wish to steer you away from hormonal birth control pills that contain high amounts of estrogen toward other options that do not pose as much of a risk of blood clots.

Know That You Are in Control

It may be comforting to know that you have more control over the appointment than you might think. For example, if you have a preference when it comes to having a male or female gynecologist, you can request whichever doctor you believe you would be more comfortable with. There may be some limitations due to your insurance company or your parents may want you to see a doctor they already have a good relationship with, but you can still have some control over your care provider.

In addition, you should let the doctor know in advance that it will be your first visit. If you’re nervous, you may ask to make it more comfortable by bringing in headphones to listen to music, having a nurse come in and hold your hand, or bringing a close friend or parent with you for extra support if you get your doctor’s approval first. If you believe it would be helpful to see what the doctor is doing, you can ask your doctor to hold a mirror up so you can be more aware of what is going on.

Contact the Women’s Healthcare Team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

At Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness, we understand the emotions that accompany your first visit to the gynecologist. Nevertheless, this appointment is an important step toward a lifetime of wellness. Our team of practitioners strives to make the process as comfortable as possible, and we are happy to answer all your questions. Contact us today to set up your first appointment.

Female condoms, also known as internal condoms, are an alternative form of birth control that operate in a similar manner to regular condoms and offer roughly the same protection from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

What sets a female condom apart from the type worn by men is the fact that they go inside the vagina rather than being placed on the penis. They come in the form of pouches made out of a soft plastic such as latex ornitrile. When properly placed to cover the inside of the vagina, they form a barrier that stops sperm from making its way to an egg and causing pregnancy. Unlike many other forms of birth control, an internal condom can also prevent several types of sexually transmitted diseases.

Are Female Condoms Effective?

When a female condom is used correctly every time you have sex, the effectiveness of this birth control method is 95 percent. However, in reality, they are only around 79 percent effective because some people do not use them properly. This means that around 21 out of every 100 women who use them as their main form of birth control can become pregnant every year.

To maximize their efficacy, they need to be worn during your entire sexual interaction from start to finish. You must ensure the condom has been placed correctly before any skin-to-skin genital contact takes place.

How Do You Use a Female Condom?

Much like a traditional condom, female condoms may be tricky to place the first time you use them, but the process should become smoother with practice. Here is a look at the steps involved in proper usage.

1. Check the package to confirm that the condom has not expired, and then open it up carefully to avoid damaging it.
2. Although female condoms typically come lubricated, you may add more if you feel it is necessary.
3. There are a few good positions that can facilitate insertion, such as lying down, squatting, or standing with one foot resting on a chair. Relaxing can help make it easier to insert.
4. Squeeze the sides of the inside ring at the closed end of the female condom together and then slide it into the vagina like a tampon. You want to ensure that the inner ring has gone as far as possible into your vagina up to your cervix. It should expand naturally, but you may not be able to feel it.
5. Remove your finger and allow the thin outer ring of the condom to hang roughly an inch outside of your vagina.
6. During penetration, hold the condom open to make sure it does not slip to one side. Although it may move around slightly during sex, your partner’s penis should be surrounded completely by the condom at all times.
7. To remove a female condom, gently twist its outer ring and then pull it out of your vagina and throw it away.

Warnings for Female Condom Use

Keep in mind that female condoms are not reusable, so you will need to insert a new one each time you have sex. Store them in a cool, dry place, and check each individual condom for defects or tears before using it.

You should not use a male condom at the same time as a female condom as this may lead to tearing. In addition, condoms should never be flushed because they may clog your toilet.

The Benefits of Female Condoms

Here is a look at some of the main benefits of female condoms.

They Can Prevent Pregnancy and STDs

One of the most obvious benefits of female condoms is their ability to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, taking away many common worries related to sexual intercourse. In fact, traditional and female condoms are the only birth control methods that can help to prevent infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.

They Are Hypoallergenic

Traditional male condoms are usually made out of latex, which poses a problem to people who have sensitivities or allergies to latex. Internal female condoms are often made out of a soft plastic known as nitrile, which means they will not irritate genital skin and are suitable for those with allergies. Patients with latex allergy should confirm that their product is latex free.

They May Be More Comfortable

Female condoms do not fit snugly around a penis the way a traditional condom does, and they may be more comfortable for your partner. Moreover, because female condoms can be inserted ahead of time, they can be more convenient as you do not need to interrupt foreplay to place them.

Discuss Your Family Planning Needs With the Contraceptive Care Team

Female condoms are just one of several ways you can prevent pregnancy and reduce your chances of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. To learn more about the various options for contraception, schedule an appointment with the women’s health-care team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness. Our doctors can help you determine the most suitable approach for your personal health history and lifestyle.