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Contraception with NovaSure

Considering NovaSure for your heavy periods? You’ll need to think about birth control too.

After the NovaSure® procedure, it is still possible to get pregnant. Since pregnancy after any endometrial ablation procedure is dangerous for both the mother and the fetus, you’ll need to rely on long-term birth control after the procedure.

It’s very important to talk to your doctor ahead of time about what birth control method you will use after the NovaSure procedure.

Understanding your options: Permanent and temporary contraception methods

When considering a one-time procedure like NovaSure that makes future childbearing unsafe, it is important for you to understand and consider all of the available permanent and temporary contraception options. Please carefully review the options listed below and discuss these options with your doctor to help you determine what contraception method you will rely on following your NovaSure procedure.

Permanent Contraception Methods
Temporary Contraception Methods

Permanent Contraception Methods

Tubal ligation A surgical procedure that cuts through the abdomen to reach the fallopian tubes, which are then sealed off to prevent pregnancy. Also known as "having your tubes tied" or "female sterilization".

Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • One-time, permanent procedure
  • No need for temporary birth control
  • No hormones
  • Post surgical pain/discomfort, risk of infection
  • Risks associated with general anesthesia
  • Recovery time
  • Some risk of ectopic pregnancy
  • No protection from STDs
0.5% 1
 

Vasectomy A surgical procedure for men where an incision is made into the scrotum, and then the tube that carries sperm out of the testes is sealed or blocked. Afterwards, a man can still achieve orgasm and ejaculate, but there is no sperm in the fluid, so it cannot fertilize a woman's egg.

Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • One-time, permanent procedure
  • No hormones
  • Post surgical pain/discomfort, risk of infection
  • No protection from STDs
0.15% 1


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Temporary Contraception Methods

Oral Contraceptives (Birth control pills) Daily pill that either contains the hormones estrogen and progestin, or progestin only.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • More predictable menstrual cycle
  • Hormone side effects may include abdominal pain, acne, back pain, weight gain, breast tenderness, moodiness
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Risks are increased in women over age 35 who smoke
  • Must be taken every day at a certain time
  • No protection from STDs
8% 1
 
Patch (OrthoEvra) Skin patch that releases the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A new patch is applied once a week for 3 consecutive weeks, and left off for one week per month.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • Convenience
  • Applied only once a week
  • Visibility
  • May fall off, increasing risk of pregnancy
  • Forgetting to change patch on correct day requires use of backup contraception
  • Side effects may include nausea, skin irritation, breast tenderness, and mood swings
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Risks are increased in women over age 35 who smoke
8% 1
(less effective in women who weigh more than 198 pounds)
 
Implant (Implanon) A small, thin rod that releases the hormone progestin. It is inserted just under the skin on the upper arm by a healthcare professional. Left in place for up to 3 years.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • Long-term protection from pregnancy (up to 3 years)
  • Reversible at any time by removing
  • Side effects may include irregular periods, weight gain, acne, headaches
  • No protection from STDs
  • Forgetting to change patch on correct day requires use of backup contraception
0.05% 1(May be less effective in women who are very over-weight)
 
Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing) A flexible plastic ring inserted into the vagina once a month, slowly releasing the hormones estrogen and progestin.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • Inserted only once a month
  • Side effects of ring may include vaginal infections, irritation
  • Hormone side effects may include abdominal pain, acne, back pain, breast tenderness, moodiness
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Risks are increased in women over age 35 who smoke
  • Risk of ring falling out. If it remains out for more than 3 hours, must use backup contraception
  • No protection from STDs
8% 1
 
Hormone shot (Depo-Provera injection) An injection of the hormone progestin given every 3 months.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • Only needed once every 3 months
  • Hormone side effects may include irregular periods, spotting, weight gain, breast tenderness, headaches
  • Prolonged use may result in bone loss - therefore not recommended for use for more than 2 years
  • Possible delayed return to fertility after stopping the injections
  • No protection from STDs
3% 1
 
Male condom (latex) Disposable latex sheath placed on penis.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • Best protection from STDs
  • No hormones
  • May break
  • Can only be used once
  • Risk of allergic reactions
15% 1
 
Female condom Similar to a male condom, inserted into vagina with a flexible ring at the closed top.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • Some protection from STDs
  • No hormones
  • Can only be used once
  • Risk of allergic reactions
  • May extend outside of
21% 1
 
Diaphragm w/ spermicide Flexible, dome-shaped rubber disk used to cover the cervix each time a woman has intercourse. Spermicide is applied before insertion into the vagina. Must be fitted by a healthcare professional.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • No hormones
  • Must be inserted correctly
  • Must be left in place at least 6 hours after intercourse
  • Additional spermicide must be used for repeated intercourse
  • Risk of toxic shock syndrome if not removed within 24 hours
16% 1
 
Spermicide alone A foam, cream, jelly, suppository, or film that contains nonoxynol-9, an ingredient that kills sperm.
Benefits/Advantages Risks/Disadvantages Failure Rate
  • Only used when needed
  • Less effective
  • May cause irritation, allergic reactions, or urinary tract infections
  • No protection from STDs
29% 1

 

 

To continue learning about NovaSure please continue with NovaSure and Heavy Periods

 

 

1.1-year, typical use pregnancy rates (Adapted from: Trussell J. Contraceptive efficacy. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Nelson AL, Cates W, Stewart FH, Kowal D. Contraceptive Technology: Nineteenth Revised Edition. New York NY: Ardent Media, 2007.)

The information above was obtained from the Hologic NovaSure website.

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