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.
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". |
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Benefits/Advantages | Risks/Disadvantages | Failure Rate |
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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. |
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Benefits/Advantages | Risks/Disadvantages | Failure Rate |
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0.15% 1 |
Oral Contraceptives (Birth control pills) Daily pill that either contains the hormones estrogen and progestin, or progestin only. | ||
Benefits/Advantages | Risks/Disadvantages | Failure Rate |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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8% 1 |
Hormone shot (Depo-Provera™ injection) An injection of the hormone progestin given every 3 months. | ||
Benefits/Advantages | Risks/Disadvantages | Failure Rate |
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3% 1 |
Male condom (latex) Disposable latex sheath placed on penis. | ||
Benefits/Advantages | Risks/Disadvantages | Failure Rate |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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