Methods of Hormonal Contraception
Hormonal methods of birth control include oral contraceptives, implants, injections, and skin patches. Use of estrogen, progesterone, or a combination of these two hormones creates an environment in the uterus that makes pregnancy unlikely.
The Pill
Combination oral contraceptives consist of estrogen and progesterone hormones taken daily in a pill form. The pill is taken for three consecutive weeks; during the fourth week, an inactive pill is taken to allow your body to menstruate. There is also a combination pill that is taken daily for three months; at the end of the third month, an inactive pill is taken for one week.
The Mini-Pill
A progesterone only pill, referred to as the mini-pill, can benefit women who smoke, are breastfeeding, or who are over 40.
Vaginal Ring
Today's hormonal birth control methods have lower doses of hormones than in the past. This has greatly reduced the risk of side effects; however, you should talk with your doctor about whether this form of birth control is right for you.
The vaginal ring is a flexible plastic ring that releases estrogen and progestin into the vagina. You insert the ring into the vagina, where it stays for three weeks. The ring is removed for one week to allow for menstruation.
Hormonal Patch
A hormonal patch is a small band-aid like patch that is worn discreetly on the skin; it releases estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy. You change the patch once a week for 3 weeks. A patch-free week allows your body to menstruate.
Hormonal Injections
With this method, you receive a progestin-only hormone injection once every 3 months to prevent pregnancy. It is reversible, but return to fertility takes longer than with other methods.
The mini-pill can benefit women who smoke, are breastfeeding, or who are over 40.
Hormonal Implants
Your doctor inserts a small plastic tube containing progestin just under the skin of your arm. The implant, which can stay in place for up to 3 years, gradually releases the hormone to prevent pregnancy.
Surgical Options
If you are certain that you never want to have a child or have additional children, you can elect to use surgery to permanently prevent pregnancy. Women may undergo tubal ligation surgery to seal the fallopian tubes with an electric current, clip, or ring. A non-surgical option is to have your doctor insert a small implant through your vagina into your fallopian tubes to block the fertilization of eggs.
Men may undergo a vasectomy to cut or clamp the two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. The vasectomy is safer and easier to perform than a tubal ligation.
The vasectomy is safer and easier to perform than a tubal ligation.
Emergency Contraception
If you have intercourse without contraception and do not want to become pregnant, a series of birth control pills can be taken to prevent pregnancy. The pills must be taken as soon as possible after intercourse without contraception but are effective within 72 hours. While highly effective, they should never be used as the primary form of contraception.