Birth Control that Complements Your Life and Your Relationship

If you’re in a committed relationship, you know the importance of connecting sexually with your partner. Keeping your sex life exciting and full of surprises can be a challenge, especially over time, as the demands of life get in the way. You may not realize that your birth control may help you be more spontaneous and feel more connected to your partner. But it’s important to find the birth control option that’s right for you — one that fits your life.

Identifying the right birth control can be tricky. You’ll want to first talk to your healthcare provider. To help start the conversation, you should tell your doctor:

• How you feel about hormones
• How you feel about daily routines
• How you feel about having your period on its natural cycle
• Your likes and dislikes concerning past birth control options you’ve used
• Relationship basics and your views on family planning
• Your lifestyle and attitude toward health

Many women are looking for birth control that can fit their lives, but end up making compromises because they are not aware of all their options. Some women prefer not to use hormones because of their personal experiences or other personal reasons. They may choose less effective birth control, like rhythm method or withdrawal, that without perfect use can put them at a higher risk for unintended pregnancy. Other women are looking for highly effective birth control options and think that means it has to have hormones.

There is an option many women don’t even know about — ParaGard^® (intrauterine copper contraceptive), the only reversible birth control that’s more than 99% effective and 100% hormone-free. It’s a different kind of birth control that can fit your life, naturally.

Here are the top five reasons women may want to consider a non-hormonal IUC as their method of contraception:

1. It is hormone free. You don’t have to think about hormone-related side effects such as associated weight gain, mood swings, acne or headaches. And it doesn’t affect your natural, monthly cycle. If you have been on a hormonal method of birth control, your menstrual cycle may have been affected in one way or another.

2. It is highly effective. It’s one of the most effective forms of birth control available — with or without hormones. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently recommended this form of contraception among the best options for nearly all women of reproductive age.

3. It is hassle free. With an IUC, there are no daily routines like having to remember to take the Pill or trips to the pharmacy. There’s just a simple monthly self-check that your doctor can show you how to do. It’s quick and easy. After all, you’ve got enough to remember in your life. And, if you’ve been using non-hormonal methods, you can forget the hassle of interruption. Intimacy can be totally spontaneous. Unlike many forms of birth control, an IUC doesn’t interfere with sexual spontaneity, so you can be intimate with your partner without interruption.

4. It is commitment free. It is truly flexible birth control. You can use it as long as you want — 2, 5, even up to 10 years. It’s all about planning when you’re ready to start a family, or add to one. So if and when the time is right, you can plan your family with confidence.

5. It is easily reversible. When you decide the time is right to start a family, you can return to your previous level of fertility once your doctor removes your non-hormonal IUC. In fact, you can start trying to get pregnant the very same day.

Don’t just take my word for it, according to a recent survey, 9 out of 10 women using the non-hormonal IUC are satisfied with it. That’s an overwhelming vote of approval!

An IUC is not right for everyone. You can learn more at www.ParaGard.com, but it’s always best to talk to your healthcare professional about your options.

Important Safety Information
Do not use ParaGard^® if you have a pelvic infection, get infections easily or have certain cancers. Less than 1% of users get a serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have persistent pelvic or stomach pain, or if ParaGard^® comes out tell your healthcare provider. If it comes out, use back-up birth control. In rare cases, ParaGard^® may attach to or go through the uterine wall and cause other problems. Although uncommon, pregnancy while using ParaGard^® can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility. Bleeding or spotting may increase at first but should decrease in 2 to 3 months. ParaGard^® does not protect against HIV or STDs.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full full prescribing information.

Dr. Berman is a paid consultant of Teva Women’s Health, Inc.

ParaGard^® is a registered trademark of Teva Women’s Health, Inc.

 

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