Visits to discuss birth control are common and we do them every day. With that said, we know visiting the doctor can come with some anxiety, or at least some questions about what a patient can expect during their visits. We want all patients to feel as comfortable as possible while they are a guest at our clinics.

When you come to a Southwest Care Center clinic, you will first be asked to fill out some paperwork. This can take some extra time but is necessary for us to have the information we need to best serve you. We are very successful at keeping our wait times short and rank in the top 95% of other medical clinics on this measure. Once it is time for your visit, a nurse or medical assistant will call you back to one of our exam rooms, where they will ask you questions and record your height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. They will then let your provider know you are ready. Once your provider comes to see you, he or she will review your medical record, including responses you made to questions already asked. They will then ask questions about your specific goals and discuss your options. They may also perform a physical exam or recommend or perform various tests, depending on your needs.

At the end of your visit, don’t forget to request to sign up for our new patient portal. This portal will put you in the driver’s seat when it comes to getting information from your provider and will allow you to receive your labs results and pay your bill online.

Southwest Care Center offers a variety of birth control options for women, including:

Birth Control Implant – The implant is a very small rod inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm to provide birth control. It’s invisible and prevents pregnancy for up to 4-5 years.

Birth Control Shot – The birth control shot (sometimes called Depo-Provera, the Depo shot, or DMPA) contains the hormone progestin. Progestin prevents pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, and if there is no egg released, you cannot get pregnant. It also works by making cervical mucus thicker.

Birth Control Vaginal Ring – It is a small, flexible ring that a woman inserts into her vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. Once inserted, the ring stays in place for three weeks before needing to be taken out for the last week of the month.

Birth Control Patch – The patch is a thin, beige piece of plastic that looks like a square bandage. The patch is simple, easy to use and works like the pill, but you only need to change your patch once a week.

Birth Control Pill – Combination birth control pills are a daily medication that contains 2 hormones (estrogen and progestin) to prevent pregnancy.

Intrauterine Device (IUD) – An IUD is a tiny device that’s inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods available. There are two types of IUDs, copper and hormonal. They both work by changing the way sperm cells move so they can’t get to an egg and cause pregnancy.

Diaphragm/Cervical Cap – A diaphragm is a dome-shaped silicone cup that is inserted in the vagina hours before sex to prevent pregnancy. To work effectively, it needs to be used with spermicide to prevent sperm from reaching eggs. A cervical cap is similar to a diaphragm but smaller, and also must be used in conjunction with spermicidal cream or gel.

Condoms (male and female) – Condoms are one of the most popular methods of birth control. They’re common, convenient, and inexpensive. Male and female condoms are also one of the few birth control options that help prevent the transmission of STIs.

Lifestyle Options for Birth Control – This includes birth control techniques such as the Family Awareness Method, also known as “natural family planning” or “the rhythm method,” in which you track your menstrual cycle so that you know when your ovaries release an egg every month and avoid sex during your fertile days. Additional methods include withdrawal (“pull-out method”), breastfeeding as birth control, as well as outercourse and abstinence.

Southwest Care Center does not currently offer surgical sterilization options such as vasectomy or tubal ligation. However, if you and your physician at Southwest Care Center decide that this is the best option for you, your physician will refer you to one of our partner providers to have the procedure performed.

At Southwest Care Center, we want you to be in control of your health and have all the information you need to choose which option is best for you. We are happy to take the time to answer questions you may have about your particular situation and preference.

If you believe like we do, that medicine must be personalized, based on trust, affordable and available when you need it, please call and make an appointment at 505.988.8869.