Birth Control (Contraception)

A female doctor wearing a PPE face mask sitting in front of a computer in a hospital exam room explaining something to a female patient.
Dr. Maureen Baldwin, an OB-GYN at the Center for Women’s Health, is among the caring providers at the OHSU Center for Women’s Health. Our team can help you find the birth control option that’s right for you.

At the OHSU Center for Women’s Health, we work with you to match your birth control to your health and lifestyle needs.

We offer:

Our services

Our doctors are experts in birth control. Our services include the following. See this comparison of birth control methods and effectiveness.

  • Combined hormonal methods: We offer options that use two hormones to prevent pregnancy, mainly by stopping your ovaries from releasing eggs. You can choose the pill, a patch or a vaginal ring.
  • Gel: We offer a hormone-free gel you place in the vagina with an applicator. The gel makes it hard for sperm to reach an egg.  
  • Diaphragm fitting: We help you find the diaphragm that’s best for your body. A diaphragm is a soft silicone dome that covers the cervix to block sperm from entering the uterus. It is used with spermicide.
  • Emergency contraception: We can provide morning-after pills, such as Plan B. The pills prevent pregnancy by delaying eggs from leaving your ovaries. A non-hormonal IUD placed within five days can also greatly lower risk of pregnancy.
  • Implant placement and removal: We offer pain relief options as needed to place and remove implants. An implant is a small plastic rod, placed under the skin of your upper arm, that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy.
  • IUD placement and removal: We offer pain relief options such as numbing medication, pain medication taken by mouth, relaxing medications, and, if needed, sedation to place and remove intrauterine devices (IUDs). An IUD makes it harder for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize eggs. An IUD also makes it harder for an egg to attach to the uterus. 
  • Injections (shots): We offer birth control shots to stop eggs from leaving your ovaries.
  • Sterilization: We provide sterilization surgery to end your ability to get pregnant. This is also known as getting your tubes tied (tubal ligation) or permanent contraception. We provide surgery regardless of age, marital status or prior pregnancies.
  • Counseling: We also provide information about fertility, including fertility in the weeks after giving birth (postpartum).

Make an appointment

503-418-4500

Log in to MyChart to see test results, set appointments and communicate with your team.

Location

Center for Women’s Health

Kohler Pavilion, seventh floor
808 S.W. Campus Drive
Portland, OR 9729

Free parking for patients and visitors 

Refer a patient

Pain management matters

Pain should never be a barrier to getting the care you need. We have pain control options for gynecologic procedures. 

Learn more about our approach

Patients with complex needs

Some medical conditions can affect your choice of birth control. Our experts have deep experience caring for patients with:

  • Cancer
  • Clotting or bleeding disorders
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney disease
  • Lung disease
  • Neurologic disorders such as migraines or seizure disorders
  • Organ transplants
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Weakened immune system
  • Prior difficult IUD placement or removal

Talking with your provider

We focus on shared decision-making. You’ll find individual care from experts who will:

  • Answer your questions about different methods.
  • Work with you to choose birth control that works for your health, age and life.
  • Guide you in how to use the method you choose.

Tell your doctor:

  • If and when you plan to get pregnant.
  • If and when you were last pregnant or had an abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth.
  • If you have any major health problems or allergies.
  • How old you are and if you smoke; women older than 35 who smoke may have health concerns with hormonal methods.
  • About any problems you or your partner have had with birth control.
  • What matters most to you in a birth control method, including your prior experiences. Topics might include:
    • How effective it is
    • When it starts working
    • If it is permanent or reversible
    • If you can use it privately (only you know if you are using it)
    • If you can stop using it whenever you want
    • If it requires little effort
    • If you can get pregnant quickly after you stop using it
    • If you can avoid frequent trips to the doctor or pharmacy
    • If it contains hormones
    • If it is unlikely to change your weight
    • If it helps with acne
    • If it offers protection against STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
    • If it gets in the way during sex
    • If it affects mood

Questions to consider asking your doctor:

  • Is this method safe for me?
  • What side effects might I have?
  • What will it cost, and will my health plan cover it?
  • What do I need to do to help make sure this method works?
  • Can I have a prescription for the morning-after pill in case I need it later?

Choosing birth control

Your birth control may change as your life changes. We can help you make the best decisions for your circumstances and well-being.

99% or more effective

Method What it is To consider
Sterilization Procedure that ends your ability to become pregnant. Permanent.
Copper IUD Doctor places small device in uterus. Works up to 12 years. May increase monthly bleeding and cramping.
Levonorgestrel intrauterine system Doctor places a small device with added hormone in the uterus. Works for 3-8 years, depending on brand. Decreases monthly bleeding and cramping.
Implant Doctor places a flexible match-size device under the skin of the inside upper arm. Works for 5 years. May change menstrual pattern.

91-98% effective

Method What it is To consider
Pill Take 1 a day. Works as long as it's taken. Decreases monthly bleeding and cramping. Shorter or less frequent periods.
Injection (shot) Doctor gives a shot. Works for 3 months. Decreases monthly bleeding and cramping.
Patch Wear for 3 weeks (replacing the patch each week), and take 1 week off. Works for 1 month. Decreases monthly bleeding and cramping. Shorter or less frequent periods.
Vaginal ring Place in vagina. Wear 3 weeks, and take a week off. Works for 1 month. Decreases monthly bleeding and cramping. Shorter or less frequent periods.

81-90% effective

Method What it is To consider
Female condom Place in vagina up to 8 hours before sex. Works for 1 sex act. Protects against sexually transmitted infections.
Male condom Put over penis right before sex. Works for 1 sex act. Protects against sexually transmitted infections.
Sponge Place in vagina up to 24 hours before sex, and leave in at least 6 hours after. Sex can be repeated. Contains spermicide. Must take out within 30 hours after sex.
Diaphragm Apply spermicide. Place in vagina up to 2 hours before sex, and leave in at least 6 hours after. Sex can be repeated if more spermicide is applied. Replace every 2 years or sooner, as needed. Lowers risk for some sexually transmitted infections but not HIV. Must take out within 24 hours after sex.
Gel Place in the vagina with a prefilled applicator up to 1 hour before sex. Works for 1 sex act. Should not be used with a vaginal ring.

80% effective

Method What it is To consider
Tracking your fertility Talk with your provider. Monitor cycle to track when fertility is likely and unlikely. Must carefully monitor your period.
Cervical cap Apply spermicide. Place in vagina up to 24 hours before sex, and leave in at least 6 hours after. Sex can be repeated if more spermicide is applied. Must use spermicide.
Spermicide Types include foam, jelly, cream and tablet. Place in vagina up to 1 hour before sex, and leave in at least 6 hours after. Works for 1 sex act. Frequent use can harm vaginal tissue.

Birth control resources:

Birth control research

Our doctors are researching ways to improve birth control options. Look for a clinical trial.