Our Services
Gynecology - Birth Control
At the Brazos Valley Women's Center we offer numerous contraceptive options. Your provider will work with you to help you choose the method that is right for you.
Contraception methods are usually grouped into 2 categories: Reversible or Permanent.
The permanent methods include tubal ligation and tubal occlusion. Tubal ligation can
be performed shortly after you give birth or at a time remote from pregnancy. This is
called an "interval procedure". The methods may be "open" which is performed through a
small incision below your belly-button after delivery or "laparoscopic" which is
performed through an even smaller incision in the belly-button and uses very small
instruments to clip, band, burn or cut your fallopian tubes.
Tubal occlusion is an interval procedure that does not require any incision at all. It is performed thorough the vagina and can sometimes be performed in our office without even being admitted to the hospital! If your partner is thinking of permanent sterilization we can help to arrange a referral for a vasectomy consultation here in town.
There are many reversible methods of contraception available to our patients. These include non-prescription methods such as natural family planning, condoms and spermicides. Prescriptive methods that do not contain hormones include the diaphragm. Methods that require a prescription and contain hormones include injections such as long-acting progesterone. This is a natural hormone delivered by shot every 3 months. This is very convenient for some patients.
Other hormonal methods are the weekly Patch, the monthly vaginal Ring, daily birth control pills and the 3-year implanted Implanon. Many of these methods can be used for extended cycles. Just ask your provider! The intra-uterine device, or IUD, can be hormone free or can contain small amounts of progesterone. These are long-lasting methods that are easily placed in the office and can work for 5 or 10 years.
Essure Permanent Sterilization
The ESSURE procedure is the 1st true revolution in permanent birth control for women since the invention of laparoscopic tubal ligation over 35 years ago. ESSURE is placed hysteroscopicaly, accessing the fallopian tube through the vagina, cervix and uterine cavity. This means NO incision, and little to no postoperative pain. ESSURE is a tiny coil placed in the fallopian tube that causes the tube to scar shut in 3 months, leading to permanent sterilization. In fact, the failure rate of ESSURE is less than that of other permanent forms of birth control.
The doctors at Brazos Valley Womens Center were among the first in the state performing the ESSURE procedure. We were the first office in Texas to be credentialed as Essure Accredited Providers, a program instituted by the makers of ESSURE to insure that medical practices performing the ESSURE procedure in the office were following the highest standard and best practices.
We take pride in providing the best care for our patients, and ESSURE has helped us take that commitment to a new level. Many patients are appropriate for in office ESSURE placement, without a hospital visit or need for intravenous anesthesia. These patients can usually return to normal activities within 12 hours of the procedure. Contact one of the physicians or Patricia O'Neal,LVN , our ESSURE counselor for more information about the ESSURE procedure.
