Hormonal methods

Birth control methods

There are many options available for hormonal birth control methods that are more effective in preventing pregnancy than natural family planning and barrier methods. All hormonal methods of birth control require a doctor’s visit and prescription. These methods are not safe for everyone, which is why it is important to visit your doctor before trying these methods. Hormonal birth control can be more costly than barrier or natural family planning, but most health insurance will greatly reduce or eliminate the costs of them. Check with your insurance provider to see what the methods may cost you.

Learn more about the types of hormonal birth control methods:

This is a medication that has hormones that are naturally found in your body. The pill can contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone, or just progesterone. With the combination pills, you will have a monthly cycle. With progesterone-only pills, you may not have a monthly cycle at all. Whichever kind of pill you choose, it must be taken at the same time every day. If you miss a pill, you can take it as soon as you remember the next day. If you miss more than two days in a row, throw the missed pills away, resume taking the rest of the pills on schedule, and use a back-up contraception method for 7 days. Typically, about 9 in 100 women will become pregnant during the first year they use the pill.

Learn more about the specific types of pills:

The patch is like a square band-aid that releases hormones (estrogen and progesterone) through the skin. You wear the patch for 7 days and replace the patch with a new one. You do this for three weeks and then go “patch-free” for a week. The “patch-free” week is when you will have your period. If the patch comes off for longer than 24 hours, you must start a new patch and use backup contraception for 7 days. During the first year of use, about 9 in 100 women will become pregnant.

Patch fact sheet

The implanted rod, also called Nexplanon, is a rod about the size of a matchstick that is placed under the skin and slowly releases the hormone progesterone. This form of birth control lasts three years until it has to be replaced. The implanted rod can easily be done in the doctor’s office. This method of birth control is very effective, fewer than 1 in 100 women will become pregnant in the first year of using the implant.

There is also a hormonal option for those interested in intrauterine devices (IUDs). Learn more about IUDs here.