Contraceptive Care

Having control over when you start a family is among women’s most empowering rights. If you live in Iowa, see the team at VirtualMed Iowa if you need help finding the right contraception. Rachel uses convenient telehealth to assess your needs, offer advice, and prescribe birth control. Call VirtualMed Iowa to schedule a contraception care telehealth consultation or book an appointment online today.

What is contraception?

Contraception is about taking control of your body and its reproductive capabilities.

Starting a family when you’re ready is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. However, it’s also a huge undertaking, and you’ll be able to cope with it far better if you’re physically and mentally prepared.

Contraception helps you choose when to have a baby at a time that’s right for you. Rachel at VirtualMed Iowa is an expert in advising patients on birth control and navigating the extensive range of contraceptive choices.

What is hormonal contraception?

Hormonal contraception uses the female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen. At the correct levels, these hormones prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, meaning there’s nothing for your partner’s sperm to fertilize.

There are several forms of hormonal contraception, including:

• Oral contraceptive pills
• Contraceptive patches
• Vaginal rings
• Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Contraceptive implants
• Contraceptive injections

When used precisely as intended, hormonal contraception methods can be almost 100% effective. Allowing for issues such as taking a pill at the wrong time, in practice, hormonal methods are effective around 90% of the time.

Hormonal implants and IUDs have a success rate of around 99% because the implant is long-lasting, and you don’t have to do anything once it’s in your body. 

What is the barrier method of contraception?

Some women can’t use hormonal forms of contraception or prefer not to. The alternative is to use a barrier method, which, as the name suggests, involves using a physical barrier that stops any sperm from reaching the egg. Widely used barrier methods of contraception include:

• Male and female condoms
• The sponge
• Diaphragm
• Cervical cap
• Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs)

Sponges, diaphragms, and caps all create a physical barrier blocking the way into your uterus. You use them each time you plan to have sex, and they work best when you use them together with a spermicide.

Copper IUDs damage sperm. They can last for up to 10 years and have 99% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.

Whichever method of contraception you use, it’s worth bearing in mind that the only contraceptive device that protects you against STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) is the condom. It’s always best to use a condom as well as other birth control methods unless you’re in a committed, monogamous relationship.

Find out more about contraceptive care by calling VirtualMed Iowa or using the online form to arrange your telehealth appointment today.