Birth control options

Birth control pills

Progestin only

(mini-pill, POPs)

These pills help prevent pregnancy by providing a low daily dose of progestin. This method is the most sensitive to timing and needs to be taken at the same time everyday because it is very short acting. It can have an unpredictable effect on your menses but usually is lighter with some potential spotting.

The POPs are a good choice for people who want to take birth control pills but can't take estrogen

Combined Hormones

These pills have both estrogen and progestin. The estrogen helps with some of the side effects of the progestin only pills and allows more flexible timing required to take the pills, however they should still be taken daily. Some people also find it helps with hormonal changes that can cause acne, PMS/PMDD, and heavy or painful periods. With this method you can choose to help regulate your cycle to a normal 28 day cycle with moderate flow, or choose to skip your period.

Ring

NuvaRing

A small flexible ring that you insert into your vagina once a month. Because the ring has both estrogen and progestin can use the ring either to regulate you periods or skip them. After a complete cycle, remove the ring and throw it out. If you want to skip your period, keep the ring in for four weeks and replace it right away.

You can stop using the ring anytime you would like by removing the ring. A healthcare provider can write prescription a year at a time. It has a lower level of hormones than the patch or the ring. Sometimes inserting the ring can be a little uncomfortable at first as you get to learn your body, and occasionally the body is irritated by it and cause vaginal infections if your body is sensitive to them.

Annovera

This is a ring that you use repeatedly for a year. Instead of using a new ring every month. You can take the ring out, rinse it, and place it in it’s case to keep clean. After 7 days have passed, rinse the ring and replace the ring inside your vagina.

patch

A small tan colored adhesive square that sticks to the skin like a bandaid. The patch has estrogen and progestin. The medication is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Each patch lasts for seven days, and you use three patches per month.

And more…

There are several more types of birth control that would require an appointment in an office with the provider. We’re here to talk through all of options with you