Birth Control at the CCMG Family Medicine Clinic
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At the Campbell County Medical Group Family Medicine Clinic, we offer safe and effective birth control treatments and options. Dr. Jensen and Nikole Lawrence, APRN can both insert Nexplanon birth control and Dr. Jensen can insert IUD’s.
What is Nexplanon?
Nexplanon is the birth control implant that goes in the arm. It’s just as effective as the pill, but without the daily hassle. This small, thin, and flexible arm implant is placed discreetly under the skin of the inner, non-dominant upper arm by Dr. Jensen or Nikole Lawrence.
Nexplanon is over 99% effective
It lasts for 3 years
It is reversible
So if plans change, it can be removed at any time by your healthcare provider
Nexplanon works using a hormone that stops an egg from being released by your ovary and prevents sperm from reaching the egg. It also changes the lining of your uterus.
What is an IUD?
IUD stands for Intrauterine Device (basically: a device inside your uterus). It's a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. Sometimes it’s called an IUC — intrauterine contraception.
There are 5 different brands of IUDs that are FDA approved for use in the United States:
Paragard,
Mirena,
Kyleena,
Liletta, and
Skyla.
These IUDs are divided into 2 types:
hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla).
copper IUDs (Paragard)
The Paragard IUD doesn’t have hormones. It’s wrapped in a tiny bit of copper, and it protects you from pregnancy for up to 12 years.
The Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla IUDs use the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. Progestin is very similar to the hormone progesterone that our bodies make naturally. Mirena works for up to 7 years. Kyleena works for up to 5 years. Liletta works for up to 7 years. Skyla works for up to 3 years.
How do IUDs work?
Both copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy by changing the way sperm cells move so they can't get to an egg. If sperm can’t make it to an egg, pregnancy can’t happen.
The Paragard IUD uses copper to prevent pregnancy. Sperm doesn’t like copper, so the Paragard IUD makes it almost impossible for sperm to get to that egg.
The hormones in the Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla IUDs prevent pregnancy in two ways: 1) they thicken the mucus that lives on the cervix, which blocks and traps the sperm, and 2) the hormones also sometimes stop eggs from leaving your ovaries (called ovulation), which means there’s no egg for a sperm to fertilize. No egg, no pregnancy.
One of the awesome things about IUDs is that they last for years — but they’re not permanent. If you decide to get pregnant or you just don’t want to have your IUD anymore, your nurse or doctor can quickly and easily take it out. You’re able to get pregnant right after the IUD is removed.
Have questions about what birth control is right for you? Make an appointment at the CCMG Family Medicine Clinic: 307-688-3636.
Article Sources: What is Nexplanon?