Comprehensive family planning

Penn Medicine OB/GYN specialists offer care and resources to help you prevent pregnancy and enter parenthood when you’re ready. We believe you’re the expert on your body, and we’re here to provide the tools and education you need to make decisions about your reproductive health.

Our obstetrics and gynecology specialists talk with you about contraceptive options, answer your questions, and offer evidence-based guidance. We empower you to make family planning choices that are right for you and your lifestyle.

We also know your contraceptive choices may change with time. We help you switch birth control methods when needed and offer pre-pregnancy planning support if you decide you want to get pregnant.

Types of birth control

Whether you’re looking for a non-hormonal method or a long-term solution, our compassionate providers guide you through your options. At your appointment, your provider listens to your reproductive goals and reviews your health history. We talk about your options and help you choose a safe, effective birth control method.

Hormonal

• Pills: You take medication every day at the same time.
• Patches: You wear a patch on your skin for several weeks and then put on a new one.
• Rings: You place a ring in your vagina and wear it for several weeks before replacing it.
• Injections: We give you an injection every three months.
• Contraceptive implant (NEXPLANON®): We place a thin rod under the skin in your upper arm every three years.
• Intrauterine device (IUD): We put a small device in your uterus and replace it every few years.

Non-hormonal

• IUD: We put a copper device in your uterus and replace it every 10 years.

Emergency

• IUD: We place a copper IUD in your uterus within five days if you had unprotected sex or your regular birth control method failed.
• Pills: You take an emergency contraceptive pill within five days of unprotected sex.

Permanent

• Tubal ligation: A procedure, sometimes called tubal surgery, closes your fallopian tubes so sperm can’t reach an egg.

Penn Medicine Pregnancy Early Access Center (PEACE)

A service of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), PEACE offers contraceptive care to individuals and families. In a judgment-free environment, we empower you to make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

Contraceptive care can be complex for some women. You may have a condition that makes using birth control high risk. At PEACE, our OB/GYNs have experience providing reproductive care to individuals facing these unique challenges. We walk you through your options and recommend birth control solutions you feel comfortable with.

PEACE offers:

• Abortion services
• Care for early pregnancy concerns (before 16 weeks)
• Contraceptive counseling
• Emergency contraception
• IUD insertion and removal
• Pregnancy loss care

Expert IUD removal

OB/GYNs regularly remove and implant IUDs. In rare cases, IUDs can be challenging for a provider to take out. PEACE providers are highly experienced in complex IUD removal, and clinics across the region send us patients who need our expertise.

We keep you comfortable and informed during the procedure. We may use imaging techniques to locate the IUD and safely remove the device from your uterus.

Abortion care

The decision to end a pregnancy is often difficult and complex. Our providers respect and honor your circumstances and provide you with the safest abortion care possible. We offer medical and surgical pregnancy termination, as well as post-procedure counseling, as you process the emotions that often come with pregnancy termination.

We help you navigate your options, provide services even if your situation is medically complex, and support you during the pregnancy loss process. Previous Cesarean sections (C-sections), obesity, or other health conditions can make outpatient termination high risk. Our obstetric anesthesiologist (pain management specialist) keeps you safe and comfortable during the procedure.