Birth Control - Hormonal Methods

Contraception: The Pill, Patch, Vaginal Ring, Injection, and IUD

May 24, 2009

Five methods of hormonal contraception are discussed below.

A child is a blessed gift; however couples should be prepared for pregnancy when it occurs. There are many hormonal and non-hormonal methods to prevent pregnancy. Five hormonal methods - the pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection (Depo-Provera), and IUDs are described below.

Oral Contraceptive (Birth Control) Pills

Known as "The Pill," a woman will take one of these pills each day. The pills contain estrogen and/or progestin, two hormones that the body usually produces. The hormones prevent the woman from ovulating, or releasing an egg, and also make the cervical mucus thicker, preventing the sperm from entering into the uterus. If the woman takes the pill every single day, there is less than 1% chance that she will become pregnant within 1 year.

Contraceptive Patch (Ortho-Evra)

This is a thin, beige, plastic patch that sticks to the skin. A woman places a new patch on her skin each week for three weeks, followed by one week with no patch. The patch contains estrogen and progestin, the same hormones that are in the birth control pill. Like the pill, the patch prevents ovulation (releasing of the egg) and thickens the cervical mucus, preventing the sperm from entering the uterus. The patch offers the advantage that the woman does not have to remember to take a pill each day. The patch is about as effective as the pill, with fewer than 1% of women getting pregnant within one year.

Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)

This is a small, flexible ring that the woman places in her vagina for three weeks and then removes for one week. The vaginal ring contains estrogen and progestin, the same hormones in the pill and the patch. This prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus. Using the ring correctly, fewer than 1% of women will become pregnant within one year.

Birth Control Injection (Depo-Provera)

Depo-Provera is an injection that a woman receives every 3 months to prevent pregnancy. The injection contains progestin, which, as with the previous 3 methods, prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus. If the woman receives the injection (usually in her arm) every three months, there is less than 1% chance she will become pregnant within one year. Depo-Provera offers the advantage that the woman does not have to remember to take a pill every day and does not have to use any devices, like condoms or diaphragms, described below. However, the woman needs to see a physician (Ob/Gyn) every three months for the injection.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

An IUD is a T-shaped device that is placed into the uterus in the gynecologist's office. There are two types:

Both IUDs prevent the sperm from reaching the egg, and prevent the egg from implanting into the uterine wall. These prevent pregnancy 99% of the time. If a woman wanted to become pregnant, the physician could remove the IUD in the office. The IUDs offer the advantage that the woman does not need to remember to take the pill, apply the patch, or visit the physician for an injection. The IUD can affect menstruation, increasing the amount of flow, cause spotting in between periods, and can cause cramping. These symptoms usually resolve over time.

* See your gynecologist: The methods described above are very effective (>99%) at preventing pregnancy. Visit your gynecologist to receive any of the above items and to discuss their risks and benefits.

References

The copyright of the article Birth Control - Hormonal Methods in Women's Sexual Health is owned by David Henry. Permission to republish Birth Control - Hormonal Methods in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.