The Pill & Alternatives

Hormonal contraception is available in different forms, including a pill, mini-pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection, and implantable rod. The birth control pill, patch, and ring contain two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The birth control pill is taken daily and depending on the pill used, your period may come monthly, once every three months, or can be skipped completely. There are many different brands of birth control pills including generics.

The Ortho Evra patch delivers the same hormones as the birth control pill through your skin and is changed weekly, with your period coming every month.

The Nuva Ring delivers the same hormones as the birth control pill through the vaginal skin and is left in place for three weeks straight. It is taken out the fourth week during which you get your period.

Progesterone only forms of birth control include the Depo-Provera injection, the Implanon rod, and the mini-pill.

• DepoProvera is an injection that is given every 3 months.
• Implanon is a single rod that is placed under the skin of the upper arm. It provides birth control for 3 years.
• The Mini-pill is similar to the birth control pill except that it does not contain estrogen. It can be given to breastfeeding mothers and women who have certain medical conditions where they can’t take estrogen.

All of these forms of birth control have different risks and benefits. It is important to choose a birth control based on your medical history. Please contact your provider to discuss if any of these hormonal options are right for you.

Additional information on birth control methods can be found at www.plannedparenthood.org