Birth Control Consultation and Family Planning Services at Women’s Health Clinic in Bakersfield, CA

At Universal Primary Care, we offer comprehensive birth control consultations tailored to your individual needs and health goals. During your visit, you’ll meet with a compassionate healthcare provider who will guide you through your contraceptive options with care and expertise.

Your provider will begin by reviewing your medical history, including any current health conditions, medications, allergies, and lifestyle factors such as smoking. Understanding your background allows us to recommend birth control methods that are safe and most effective for you.

We’ll also talk about your menstrual cycle, sexual activity, and your preferences regarding pregnancy prevention. Your provider will ask about any past experiences with birth control and discuss your priorities—such as convenience, side effects, privacy, and whether you’re interested in reversible methods or something more permanent.

Universal Primary Care offers a full range of contraceptive options, including birth control pills, patches, injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, condoms, and permanent solutions like sterilization. Your provider will explain how each method works, their effectiveness, potential side effects, and important instructions on use. We’ll also cover what to do if you miss a dose or have any concerns.

At Universal Primary Care, we understand that choosing the right birth control method is a personal decision influenced by your unique health needs, lifestyle, and future goals. Our team is here to help you navigate your options and ensure you find a method that works best for you.

When considering birth control, it’s important to take into account your overall health and any medical conditions, such as a history of blood clots, migraines, or high blood pressure. Some methods may not be recommended depending on your medical background, and our providers can help you understand which options are safe and effective for you.

Think about your family planning goals—whether you want to prevent pregnancy for now, or if you’re considering having children in the near future. Some methods are easily reversible, while others are designed for longer-term or even permanent contraception.

Your daily routine and comfort level also play a role. For those who prefer not to take a daily pill, we offer longer-acting options such as IUDs, implants, and injections right here at Universal Primary Care. If protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a priority, we can discuss condom use and other ways to reduce your risk.

Cost, accessibility, and possible side effects are important factors as well. Our staff can help you review your insurance coverage and explore low-cost options that may be available through Universal Primary Care clinics.

Yes, at Universal Primary Care, you can often start birth control without needing a pelvic exam. Following the latest medical guidelines from organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our providers understand that a pelvic exam is not required for most people who want to begin hormonal birth control methods—such as the pill, patch, ring, or injection.

Before starting these forms of contraception, your Universal Primary Care provider will review your medical history and discuss your health and lifestyle to ensure the best and safest option for you. Unless you have specific symptoms or risk factors that need further evaluation, you typically do not need a pelvic exam to get a birth control prescription.

Pelvic exams are important for other health screenings, like testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or cervical cancer. Some long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) or implants, do require a pelvic exam for insertion. Your Universal Primary Care provider will explain these procedures and answer any questions you might have.

At Universal Primary Care, we strive to make accessing birth control straightforward and comfortable. Whether you schedule a visit in our office or use our telehealth services, our team is here to help you make informed choices about your reproductive health—no unnecessary exams required.

At Universal Primary Care, we’re dedicated to helping you make informed choices about your reproductive health. Understanding the effectiveness of various birth control methods is key to selecting the option that best fits your lifestyle, health needs, and family planning goals.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants offer some of the highest levels of pregnancy prevention, with failure rates of less than 1% per year. These options are ideal for individuals or couples seeking a “set it and forget it” approach. Permanent solutions, like tubal ligation and vasectomy, are also more than 99% effective and may be appropriate for those who are certain they do not want future pregnancies.

Birth control pills, patches, and vaginal rings are popular choices that work well when used correctly. At Universal Primary Care, we discuss how missed doses or incorrect use can increase the risk of pregnancy, with typical failure rates of about 7-9% per year. Injectable methods, such as Depo-Provera, offer improved effectiveness and convenience for some patients, with a typical-use failure rate around 4%.

Barrier methods—including male and female condoms, diaphragms, and sponges—generally have higher failure rates (13-21%) but are essential for reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We often recommend condoms in combination with another method for those seeking both pregnancy and STI prevention.

Fertility awareness-based methods require careful tracking and self-discipline. With failure rates between 15% and 25%, these methods may be less reliable but could suit patients looking for hormone- or device-free options. Our team can guide interested patients on proper techniques and realistic expectations.

The Birth Control Consultation and Family Planning Services at Universal Primary Care Medical Group extend to essential reproductive health support that goes beyond preventing pregnancy. Providers use these visits to discuss STI/STD screening and prevention, offer guidance on fertility awareness, and provide necessary pre-conception counseling when a patient is planning to start a family. Universal Primary Care Medical Group views family planning as an integral part of overall well-woman care, offering a dedicated and supportive environment for all patients to manage their health goals confidently and responsibly. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations at Brimhall Primary Care Center, Ming Primary Care Clinic, Niles Primary Care Clinic, Universal Q-Street Primary Care, and Niles Family Medicine in Bakersfield, CA. We serve patients from Bakersfield CA, Maltha CA, Kayandee CA, Panama CA, Arvin CA, Fairfax CA, Rosedale CA, and surrounding areas.