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BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
THE PATCH
(Ortho Evra)
DEPO-PROVERA
THE RING
(Nuva Ring)
A woman takes a pill that
contains either a combination
of artificial estrogen and progestin or progestin only, every day. The pill works by preventing ovulation, increasing cervical mucus to
block sperm and creating a thin
uterine environment.
With typical use, eight women in 100 become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, less than one woman in 100 will become
pregnant in one year.
If taken correctly, the pill provides non-stop protection from pregnancy. It can also make a woman’s periods more regular, reduce cramps, and shorten or lighten her period.
Offers no protection against STDs, including HIV. Possible side effects: nausea, headaches and moodiness. If you miss two or more daily pills during a cycle, or you are late starting a new cycle of pills, you should use a back-up method of birth control until you have taken seven consecutive pills.
Through a prescription from a health care provider; the cost runs $15 to $35 a month depending on the pill brand, plus the cost of the visit to your health care provider and an examination if needed.
The woman wears one patch for seven days, three weeks in a row, and then goes one seven-day week without the patch. The patch releases estrogen and progestin and works by preventing ovulation, increasing cervical mucus to block sperm and creating a thin uterine environment.
No studies have yet been published, but it is assumed that with typical use, the patch would be more effective than a birth control pill; typical use of the pill results in eight out of 100 women becoming pregnant in one year. With perfect use of the patch, less than one woman in 100 will become pregnant.
Weekly dosing and the ability to visually verify the patch is in place make it more likely to be used
successfully. Women may also experience more regular, lighter
or shorter periods.
Provides no protection against STDs, including HIV. Requires a back-up method for the first seven days unless started on the first
day of menstruation. May cause local skin irritation or rash, vaginal
spotting, nausea, headaches, or moodiness. When worn, the patch may be difficult to hide. Smokers should not use the patch.
Requires a prescription. Cost is $30-$35 per month, plus a visit
to a physician.
A flexible, soft ring that releases synthetic estrogen and progestin
to prevent pregnancy. The ring
is inserted in the vagina, where
it remains for 21 days. It is then removed and kept out for seven days.
No studies have yet been published, but it is assumed that with typical use, the ring would be more
effective than a birth control pill; typical use of the pill results in eight out of 100 women becoming pregnant in one year. With perfect
use of the ring, less than one woman in 100 will become pregnant.
Effective immediately and easy to confirm it is in place.
Does not protect against STDs, including HIV. The ring should be kept refrigerated to prolong its life. Side effects may include nausea, headaches and vaginal discomfort. Smokers should not use the ring.
Requires a prescription. Cost is $30-$35 per month, plus a visit
to a physician.
A woman gets an intramuscular shot of the artificial hormone
progestin every three months
(12 weeks) which keeps her from getting pregnant.
With typical use, three women out of 100 will get pregnant in one year. With perfect use, less than one woman in 100 will become pregnant in a year using this method.
Once you get the shot, you don’t have to think about birth control for three months.
Offers no protection against STDs, including HIV, and can cause weight gain, irregular periods,
and depression.
Requires a