Non-hormonal contraception options
Some women prefer or need to avoid hormones because of side effects, health history, or personal preference. Effective non-hormonal options exist, and each has trade-offs in effectiveness and convenience.
- Copper IUD — over 99% effective, up to 10+ years
- Condoms — also protect against STIs
- Vaginal pH-modulating gel
- Diaphragm or cervical cap
- Fertility awareness-based methods
- Permanent options such as tubal procedures or vasectomy
Fertility awareness methods
Fertility awareness combines tracking basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and sometimes urinary hormone tests to identify fertile days. When taught well and used consistently, modern methods can be effective, but typical-use effectiveness is lower than LARC. They work best for women with regular cycles who are committed to daily tracking — and they are also valuable for women trying to conceive.
Why preconception care matters
Many important stages of fetal development happen before a woman knows she is pregnant. A preconception visit three to six months before trying helps optimize health from the start. It reviews medications that may need changing, chronic conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or PCOS, and vaccine status.
What a preconception visit includes
Expect a review of your health and family history, a discussion of genetic carrier screening, labs such as blood type, immunity to rubella and varicella, thyroid and A1c when indicated, and guidance on nutrition, alcohol, smoking, and healthy weight.
- Start a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg folic acid
- Review medications and supplements
- Update vaccines
- Optimize chronic conditions
- Discuss timing after stopping contraception
When to seek fertility evaluation
If you are under 35 and have not conceived after 12 months of trying, or 35 and older after six months, an evaluation is recommended. With irregular cycles or known PCOS, evaluation can begin sooner. JennWell helps start that work-up and coordinates referrals to fertility specialists in the Omaha area when needed.
Preparing for your visit
Coming prepared helps you get the most from an appointment about non-hormonal contraception or preconception planning. If you are planning pregnancy, bring a full medication list, vaccination records, and any chronic condition records such as thyroid, blood pressure or diabetes results. Begin a prenatal vitamin with folic acid now if you have not already. If you are choosing contraception, note how consistently you can use a daily or per-act method — honesty here helps match you with an option that truly works. Partners are welcome to join.
JennWell Women's Health is located at 11844 Standing Stone Dr., Suite 200 in Gretna, inside Skilled Touch Health and Healing, and welcomes women from Elkhorn, West Omaha, Millard, Papillion, La Vista, Bennington, Lincoln and across Eastern Nebraska. To schedule, call (402) 800-8595 or request an appointment online. If you are unsure whether this service is right for you, a consultation is a no-pressure place to start the conversation and learn your options.