Family Planning And Infertility
Family planning services help you control when you have children and the size of your family. John H. Kirk, MD, and his team offer family planning and infertility services at offices in Napa, St. Helena, and Hidden Valley Lake, California, including birth control options and infertility services. Call Dr. Kirk or schedule a consultation online today for personalized family planning care.
What is family planning?
Family planning includes the medical services you need to control if and when you have children. It contributes to improved health outcomes for women, infants, children, and their families.
Family planning comprises a wide range of services, including:
- Contraception
- Pregnancy counseling and testing
- Preconception health services
- Infertility services
- STD testing and treatment
- Breast exams
- Pelvic exams
- Breast and cervical cancer screenings
Whether you want safe and effective birth control or help to get pregnant, Dr. Kirk and his team offer compassionate, personalized care to help you grow your family when you’re ready.
What are my birth control options?
Dr. Kirk and his team provide a comprehensive range of birth control options without limitations. Some of the most commonly used types of contraception include:
Birth control pill
Birth control pills adjust the hormones to prevent pregnancy. The pill stops ovulation, so the woman’s body doesn’t release egg cells. The pill can also thicken the cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from reaching the egg. You need to take the pill at the same time every day.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
Dr. Kirk places an IUD into the uterus. Non-hormonal IUDs are wrapped with copper wire, which repels sperm. Hormonal IUDs work similarly to birth control pills and other hormonal contraception options. Once the IUD is in place, it can prevent pregnancy for 3-12 years, depending on the type of IUD you choose.
Birth control shot
A birth control shot is a quarterly hormonal injection that prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus. You need to make sure to have the injections on a reliable schedule to avoid gaps in contraception.
Birth control implant
Dr. Kirk places a birth control implant under the skin on the inside of the bicep. Like other hormonal birth control options, the implant stops a woman’s body from releasing eggs and thickens the cervical mucus. A birth control implant can prevent pregnancy for up to five years.
When should I talk to a doctor about infertility?
About 12-15% of American couples experience infertility. If you’re under the age of 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for a year, you should make an appointment with Dr. Kirk for help. If you’re 35 or older, you should seek fertility assessment and treatment if you don’t get pregnant within six months.
What are the available fertility treatments?
Dr. Kirk and his team offer diagnostic evaluations to identify the issue causing your fertility problems. They also provide basic fertility treatments like prescriptions to increase ovulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI) to help you get pregnant. If you have a more advanced fertility issue, Dr. Kirk collaborates with his trusted reproductive endocrinology colleagues to provide the services you need to grow your family.
If you need family planning services, call Dr. Kirk or make an appointment online today.