Birth Control

As OB/GYN practitioners who serve the greater Los Angeles area, Dr. Shobhana Gandhi and Dr. Arus Zograbyan specialize in the many facets of Women's Wellness. Their practice offers many different types of birth control for women of all ages. Birth control can be used to prevent pregnancy as well as to regulate the levels of reproductive hormones.

Are There Different Types of Birth Control?

There are many different types of birth control. The most common form is the contraceptive pill. Birth control pills are taken on a daily basis and follow a specific cycle that includes 21 days of hormone pills and seven days of placebos. In some cases, there are only three weeks of pills, and nothing is taken on the final seven days. Intra-uterine devices are also widely used. Birth control implants and shots are also available. The implant offers a steady release of hormones, while the shot suppresses the function of the reproductive system and slows down or halts a woman's cycle.

What is Birth Control Good For?

Birth control is used for more than just the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. It can also be used to regulate hormones in women who have chronic health conditions that deplete the body's normal supply of estrogen and progesterone. They are also beneficial for women who have chronic conditions such as endometriosis, fibroid tumors or other extremely long, painful periods. By taking the birth control pills, the system remains regulated, and the severity of the menstrual cycle is reduced as are the symptoms of endometriosis. Birth control comes in varying degrees of strengths and potencies that can be used for different conditions.

Which Form of Birth Control is Most Efficient?

The efficiency of each type of birth control is dependent on the woman and the condition for which it is prescribed. For many years, the pill form of contraceptives was thought to be the most effective, and these pills still have an extremely solid record. The birth control shot, patch, and implant all rate about the same with one pregnancy out of approximately 100 users. Several factors influence the effectiveness of various types of birth control. They include age, weight (obesity can lower the effectiveness of some contraceptives), and overall health, including reproductive health.