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Pills, Patch, or Ring? A Brief Guide to Birth Control

Birth Control Pills (oral contraceptives)

What:

  •  The average birth control pills usually contain doses of estrogen and progestin.
  • They come in packs or 21 or 28 pills and are to be taken daily.
  • The hormones are taken for 21 days, and for 7 days they are either not taken, or placebo pills are taken. During these seven days is when the menstrual period occurs

How:

  •  They inhibit ovulation in females, and create a mucus layer just within the cervix which blocks sperm cells from entering the uterus.
  •  They can be up to 99% effective, depending on if it is taken every day, at around the same time each day.

Pros:

  • Very efficient
  •  Inexpensive
  •  Can help with acne problems
  • Can reduce symptoms of PMS
  • Lighter, shorter periods
  • Regular periods
  • Easy to use
  • Reduces risk of

Ovarian and Endometrial cancer

  • Reversible

Cons:

  • Does not protect against STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
  • Possible side effects within the first couple months
  • Must be taken at the same time everyday
  • Requires a prescription

Popular Brands of Birth control Pills:

Yasmin, Yaz, Alesse, Cyclen, Tri-Cyclen, Ortho-cept

Birth Control Patch

What:

  • A thin beige adhesive patch that sticks to the skin (worn on the arm, abdomen, or buttocks) and releases estrogen and progestin.
  • One patch lasts 7 days, and 3 patches are used in one month.
  • For one week no patch is used and this results in a menstrual period.

How:

  • Inhibits fertilization by preventing ovulation
  • Will thicken the mucus in the cervix
  • May thin the lining of the uterus
  • It is 99% effective if the patch does not fall off, and a new patch is replaced within 24 hours.
  • It is more effective than birth control pills because it does not need to be “taken” everyday.

 

Pros (Similar to Birth Control Pills):

  • Can help with acne problems
  • Can protect against pelvic inflammatory disease and etopic pregnancy
  • Reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers
  • Does not need to be taken everyday
  • Lighter, shorter, and more regular periods
  • Reversible

Cons:

  • Does not protect agasint STI’s
  • Requires a prescription
  • It can fall off due to loss of adhesiveness
  • It may be less effective for heavier women
  • It can cause skin irritation
  • Slightly more expensive than Birth Control Pills

Popular Brand of a Birth Control Patch:

Ortho-Evra patch

Birth Control Ring

What:

  • A small flexible ring that is inserted and worn in the vagina for three weeks.
  • It releases low doses of estrogen and progestin for three weeks, and is removed for 7 days.
  • For one week no patch is used and this results in a menstrual period.

How:

  • Inhibits fertilization by preventing ovulation
  • Will thicken the mucus in the cervix
  • may thin the lining of the uterus
  • As effective as the birth control pill, possibly more effective because it does not require daily consumption, like the pill.

Pros:

  • Can reduce symptoms of PMS
  • Can help with acne problems
  • Can protect against pelvic inflammatory disease and etopic pregnancy
  • Reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers
  • Lighter, shorter, more regular periods
  • Does not need to be taken every day, only taken out replaced every month
  • Reversible

Cons:

  • Requires a prescription
  • May fall out
  • May cause a yeast infection
  • Does not protect against STI’s
  • More expensive than birth control pills and patches

Popular Brand of Contraceptive Ring:

NuvaRing

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Pills, Patch, or Ring? A Brief Guide to Birth Control

Birth Control Pills (oral contraceptives) What:  The average birth control pills usually contain doses of estrogen and progestin. They come in packs or 21 or 28 pills and are to be taken daily. The hormones are taken for 21 days, and for 7 days they are either not taken, or placebo pills are taken. During […]