Birth control and family planning options are many, and choices are often quite personal. For the complete picture regarding your options, Dr. Mirela Mircea and Dr. Vivian Lugo-Eschenwald of Family Medicine Associates of Alexandria in Alexandria, Virginia provide an excellent resource for investigating the best approach for each patient. Call today to make a confidential appointment with FMAA.
More than simply birth control, family planning happens when a couple decides how many children they want and when they will be born. This includes birth control, or contraception, as a means of delaying pregnancy. Family planning services also include many more health care topics. Family Medicine Associates of Alexandria provides such services as:
While the birth control pill remains the most used contraceptive method for women, along with female sterilization and condoms, long-acting reversible methods such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants are gaining popularity. This may be due to changes in guidelines for the use of these options to include women of younger ages and those without children, two groups for whom these methods were previously not recommended.
Hormonal contraceptives use estrogen and progestin, either together or progestin only, to regulate the fertility of the patient. These contraceptives take the form of pills, patches, vaginal rings, injections, implants, and some IUDs. In most cases, no side effects occur with contemporary formulations, or, if they do, these pass in a few months. Side effects include:
Much depends on a patient’s response to a particular contraceptive method. Switching to a different product or formulation may clear up any symptoms. With birth control pills, daily use is important, since missed pills may be associated with side effects. Progestin-only pills must be taken daily, and at the same time each day, for best effect.
We accept most major insurances. Please see the full list of plans that we accept. If you do not see yours, please call our office to see how we can help. We will file out of network insurances but visit must be paid at checkout in full.
"Fantastic doctors & staff; they take the time to truly understand patients and put them at ease. The doctors do a great job giving you their rationale..."
"She has a phenomenal, empathetic bedside manner; I never feel rushed, she asks lots of questions, and makes me an active participant in decisions about my care."
"Had my first visit there a month or so ago. It went exactly as I wanted. I waited only a few minutes, the staff was professional. They answered all of my questions."
"...FMAA has been a loyal and consistent part of my family staying healthy while overcoming a myriad of different issues."
"I'm usually really uncomfortable with doctors offices, but the staff here is all very friendly...Billing was really easy- they have online payment..."
"I have been trying to find a good doctor for many years. My first visit here was excellent. Professional and courteous..."
"Dr. Vivian Lugo is a very professional - ethics, knowledge and experience. She has been my primary physician for 11 years...She is the best!"
"Dr. Vivian Lugo is a very caring and professional MD. The feeling of being listened to and care for is achieved when seeing Dr Lugo. She is thorough and clear..."
"I've been going to Family Medicine for three years. Usually can get an appointment with Dr. Mircea within a week..."
