For women, there are more contraception options than ever before to choose from which can make it difficult to know which one is best for you.
Different women prefer different methods, and it’s difficult to predict exactly which option will suit your needs the best.
The first step is knowing what your choices are. Some of the most popular methods that our online doctor service offers include the following.
Contraceptive Pills
The contraceptive pill is by far the most commonly used method of hormonal birth control, and it’s easy to see why. When taken exactly as prescribed, the pill is up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and usually makes periods lighter and reduces premenstrual symptoms.
While the most common birth control pills are combination pills (COCP)— meaning they combine both estrogen and progestin — there are progestin-only pills (POP), also known as minipills available too. Some women, such as women over the age of 35 who smoke, are advised against taking estrogen because it may put them at higher risk of stroke or other health problems. This makes the minipill the right choice for them.
The Injection- Depo Provera
One of the methods quickly growing in popularity is the contraceptive injection, it’s a simple and effective way to keep yourself protected from unwanted pregnancy. The shot works by steadily releasing progestin into the body, halting ovulation and thinning the uterine lining to prevent fertilization. Unlike some of the other options on this list, the shot does not contain estrogen and therefore does not cause any of the side effects associated with that hormone, and is a safe choice for women who can’t take estrogen.
One of the best things about the shot is that it leaves little room for error. Simply get a new injection every 3 months, and you’re fully protected. You can get the prescription through our online doctor service and our specially trained pharmacists will administer the shot for you.
The Patch- Evra
The patch works like combination birth control pills by releasing progestin and estrogen into the body directly through the skin. Compared to the pill, the patch is a lower-maintenance birth control method: simply put one patch on your skin and replace it weekly. Like many of the other options on this list, the patch is 99% effective when used appropriately.
The patch is a good balance between the pill, which needs to be taken daily, and the shot, which lasts for several months at a time. Women who are looking for a birth control method that doesn’t require daily doses but can also be stopped at any time should consider the flexibility that the patch offers.
The Ring - Nuvaring
The ring releases its hormones after being inserted directly into the vagina. Women who use the ring can’t feel it as they walk around or have sex, so there’s no need to worry about it interfering with your daily life. The ring contains both estrogen and progestin, so women who can’t take the former should consider other options.
The ring is removed after 3 weeks, then you take a one-week break to have a period. The ring needs to be replaced each month. The ring is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
