Progestin-Only Birth Control Methods

The Depo Provera injection is a reversible method of prescription birth control. This birth control shot slowly releases the synthetic form of the progesterone medroxyprogesterone acetate and protects against pregnancy for a period of 11 to 14 weeks. Women using this method must receive 4 injections each year.

The Mirena IUD is a small, T-shaped, flexible plastic device. It continuously releases a small amount of progestin over a period of 5 years. Due to the progestin, it is a little more effective than the ParaGard IUD. The Mirena IUD is inserted into the uterus by a doctor and has strings that hang down through the cervix into the vagina. The strings can allow for the woman to check that the IUD is still in place and for the doctor to use to remove the IUD. Mirena can also be removed at any time before the 5-year limit has been reached.

Implanon is a newer type of contraceptive implant so it is slowly becoming more broadly accessible. It consists of a thin, flexible plastic implant about the size of a cardboard matchstick. The Implanon implant is inserted under the skin in the arm. This method continually releases a low dose of the progestin, etonogestrel and protects against pregnancy for up to 3 years. Insertion requires a local anesthetic and only takes a few minutes. Implants should be removed when they are no longer effective or can be removed anytime before the 3 year timeframe is over.

Progestin pills are a type of oral contraceptive that contain a synthetic form of the progesterone hormone and have no estrogen. They are also known as the Mini-Pill and POP (Progestin-Only Pill). Progestin birth control pills are only available in 28-day packs. A woman needs to take a pill every day for each 4-week cycle, and all 28 pills are considered active (contain progestin).

Note:

All of these progestin birth control options will require a doctor's visit. Typically, hormonal birth control options tend to be more effective and require some degree of medical supervision. These methods are also reversible, so a woman can become pregnant after stopping them.

The noristerat injection is a reversible method of prescription birth control. It is not available in the United States but is common in the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, and Central America. This contraceptive injection contains the synthetic progestin norethisterone enantate. The noristerat injection is a contraceptive that is given into the muscle of the buttock. It continuously releases its progestin into the bloodstream over a period of eight weeks, thereby providing pregnancy protection for up to two months.