What is Excessive Menstrual Bleeding
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Considering NovaSure for your heavy periods? You’ll need to think about birth control too.

After the NovaSure® procedure, it is still possible to get pregnant. Since pregnancy after any endometrial ablation procedure is dangerous for both the mother and the fetus, you’ll need to rely on long-term birth control after the procedure.

It’s very important to talk to your doctor ahead of time about what birth control method you will use after the NovaSure procedure.

Understanding your options: Permanent and temporary contraception methods

When considering a one-time procedure like NovaSure that makes future childbearing unsafe, it is important for you to understand and consider all of the available permanent and temporary contraception options. Please carefully review the options listed below and discuss these options with your doctor to help you determine what contraception method you will rely on following your NovaSure procedure.

Permanent Contraception Methods | Temporary Contraception Methods

Permanent Contraception Methods

Adiana® Permanent Contraception is a minimally invasive procedure that provides protection from pregnancy. It works by stimulating your body's own tissue to grow in and around tiny, soft inserts that are placed inside your fallopian tubes. In women who are candidates for both procedures, the Adiana procedure must be done first. Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of Adiana Permanent Contraception.

Learn more about Adiana Permanent Contraception at www.adiana.com

Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • One-time, permanent procedure
  • Procedure makes no cuts through the skin, leaves no scars
  • General anesthesia not required
  • Most women return to their normal activities within a day
  • No hormones
  • Post surgical pain/discomfort, risk of infection
  • Not all women are candidates for the Adiana procedure
  • Some risk of ectopic pregnancy
  • No protection from STDs
  • Risks associated with anesthesia
1.1%1
Tubal ligation A surgical procedure that cuts through the abdomen to reach the fallopian tubes, which are then sealed off to prevent pregnancy. Also known as "having your tubes tied" or "female sterilization".
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • One-time, permanent procedure
  • No need for temporary birth control
  • No hormones
  • Post surgical pain/discomfort, risk of infection
  • Risks associated with general anesthesia
  • Recovery time
  • Some risk of ectopic pregnancy
  • No protection from STDs
0.5% 2
Vasectomy A surgical procedure for men where an incision is made into the scrotum, and then the tube that carries sperm out of the testes is sealed or blocked. Afterwards, a man can still achieve orgasm and ejaculate, but there is no sperm in the fluid, so it cannot fertilize a woman's egg.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • One-time, permanent procedure
  • No hormones
  • Post surgical pain/discomfort, risk of infection
  • No protection from STDs
0.15% 2
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Temporary Contraception Methods

Oral Contraceptives (Birth control pills) Daily pill that either contains the hormones estrogen and progestin, or progestin only.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • More predictable menstrual cycle
  • Hormone side effects may include abdominal pain, acne, back pain, weight gain, breast tenderness, moodiness
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Risks are increased in women over age 35 who smoke
  • Must be taken every day at a certain time
  • No protection from STDs
8% 2
Patch (OrthoEvra™) Skin patch that releases the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A new patch is applied once a week for 3 consecutive weeks, and left off for one week per month.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • Convenience
  • Applied only once a week
  • Visibility
  • May fall off, increasing risk of pregnancy
  • Forgetting to change patch on correct day requires use of backup contraception
  • Side effects may include nausea, skin irritation, breast tenderness, and mood swings
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Risks are increased in women over age 35 who smoke
8% 2
(less effective in women who weigh more than 198 pounds)
Implant (Implanon™) A small, thin rod that releases the hormone progestin. It is inserted just under the skin on the upper arm by a healthcare professional. Left in place for up to 3 years.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • Long-term protection from pregnancy (up to 3 years)
  • Reversible at any time by removing
  • Side effects may include irregular periods, weight gain, acne, headaches
  • No protection from STDs
  • Forgetting to change patch on correct day requires use of backup contraception
0.05% 2(May be less effective in women who are very over-weight)
Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing™) A flexible plastic ring inserted into the vagina once a month, slowly releasing the hormones estrogen and progestin.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • Inserted only once a month
  • Side effects of ring may include vaginal infections, irritation
  • Hormone side effects may include abdominal pain, acne, back pain, breast tenderness, moodiness
  • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Risks are increased in women over age 35 who smoke
  • Risk of ring falling out. If it remains out for more than 3 hours, must use backup contraception
  • No protection from STDs
8% 2
Hormone shot (Depo-Provera™ injection) An injection of the hormone progestin given every 3 months.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • Only needed once every 3 months
  • Hormone side effects may include irregular periods, spotting, weight gain, breast tenderness, headaches
  • Prolonged use may result in bone loss - therefore not recommended for use for more than 2 years
  • Possible delayed return to fertility after stopping the injections
  • No protection from STDs
3% 2
Male condom (latex) Disposable latex sheath placed on penis.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • Best protection from STDs
  • No hormones
  • May break
  • Can only be used once
  • Risk of allergic reactions
15% 2
Female condom Similar to a male condom, inserted into vagina with a flexible ring at the closed top.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • Some protection from STDs
  • No hormones
  • Can only be used once
  • Risk of allergic reactions
  • May extend outside of
21% 2
Diaphragm w/ spermicide Flexible, dome-shaped rubber disk used to cover the cervix each time a woman has intercourse. Spermicide is applied before insertion into the vagina. Must be fitted by a healthcare professional.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • No hormones
  • Must be inserted correctly
  • Must be left in place at least 6 hours after intercourse
  • Additional spermicide must be used for repeated intercourse
  • Risk of toxic shock syndrome if not removed within 24 hours
16% 2
Female condom Similar to a male condom, inserted into vagina with a flexible ring at the closed top.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • Some protection from STDs
  • No hormones
  • Can only be used once
  • Risk of allergic reactions
  • May extend outside of vagina
21% 2
Spermicide alone A foam, cream, jelly, suppository, or film that contains nonoxynol-9, an ingredient that kills sperm.
Benefits/Advantages
Risks/Disadvantages
Failure Rate
  • Only used when needed
  • Less effective
  • May cause irritation, allergic reactions, or urinary tract infections
  • No protection from STDs
29% 2

1.1-year pregnancy rate based on Adiana pivotal clinical trial data
2.1-year, typical use pregnancy rates (Adapted from: Trussell J. Contraceptive efficacy. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Nelson AL, Cates W, Stewart FH, Kowal D. Contraceptive Technology: Nineteenth Revised Edition. New York NY: Ardent Media, 2007.)

Find out about Adiana, a no-hormone, no-hysterectomy solution to permanent contraception.

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