Hormonal Birth Control Options

Hormonal birth control refers to birth control methods that contain synthetic forms of hormones. These contraceptives mimic the naturally-occurring hormones produced in a woman's body. With the exception of certain progestin-only oral contraceptives, hormonal birth control must be prescribed by your healthcare provider.

1:49

Types of Birth Control

There are two types of hormonal birth control:

  1. Combination Hormonal Birth Control: Combination birth control is methods that contain both synthetic estrogen and some type of progestin.
  2. Progestin-Only Birth Control: These methods are contraceptives that only contain progestin and are good options if you cannot use birth control that contains estrogen.

Hormonal birth control methods tend to be very popular. You may wish to use hormonal contraception because:

  • These methods are reversible (with the exception of Depo Provera). This means that your fertility (or ability to get pregnant) quickly returns once you stop using them.
  • Hormonal birth control is convenient and easy to use.
  • Many of these methods have some of the lowest failure rates (when used correctly), so they are very effective.
  • Hormone birth control can offer you many non-contraceptive health benefits as well (like helping with bad menstrual cramps or reducing acne).

Here is a list of all of the available hormonal birth control methods for you to use. The first three are combination methods and the rest of the list are progestin-only hormonal birth control options.

Combination Birth Control Pills

Birth control options

BSIP / UIG / Getty Images

Combo birth control pills must be taken every day, at the same time. They contain Ethinyl estradiol and one of the following types of progestin: norethindrone, norethindrone acetate, ethynodiol diacetate, levonorgestrel, norgestrel, desogestrel, norgestimate, or drospirenone. Each of these progestins has its own profile based on its progestational, estrogenic, and androgenic effects on your body. There is also a new combination birth control pill called Natazia—this is the only pill that contains estradiol valerate and the progestin, dienogest. Combination birth control pills are also categorized as monophasic, biphasic or triphasic—this is based on how the hormones are distributed over the weeks in each pill pack. There are also extended cycle combination pills.

NuvaRing

The NuvaRing is a combination contraceptive that must be inserted into the vagina. Once inserted, it gradually releases Ethinyl estradiol and the progestin, etonogestrel. You insert NuvaRing and leave it in place for three weeks. On Week 4, you take it out—this is when you should have your withdrawal period.

The Patch

The birth control patch is applied to the skin. It releases Ethinyl estradiol and the progestin, norelgestromin directly through the skin. You need to replace the patch every week (for three weeks). During Week 4, you keep the patch off.

Nexplanon

Nexplanon is a progestin-only birth control insert that contains 68 mg of the progestin, etonogestrel. This single rod is inserted into your upper arm where the progestin is slowly released. The implant also contains radiopaque (this is so it can be easily seen on an X-ray to make sure that the rod has been properly placed). It is considered to be a long-acting, reversible contraceptive (LARC)—once Nexplanon is inserted, it provides pregnancy protection for up to three years.

Depo Provera and Depo-subQ Provera 104 Injection

Depo Provera and Depo-subQ Provera 104 are hormonal contraceptive injections. Both depo shots are similar—each injection slowly releases the progestin, medroxyprogesterone acetate. You must get a Depo Provera injection every 11 to 13 weeks (Depo-subQ Provera 104 injections must happen every 12-14 weeks). If you use Depo Provera, you basically need to have four injections each year. Like all hormonal birth control methods, Depo Provera does have some side effects. Many women stop using Depo Provera because of the side effects (like irregular or continuous bleeding). There is no way to know before starting Depo Provera if you will have any of these side effects. The good news about Depo Provera—it has been FDA-approved to help treat endometriosis.

Mirena IUD

Mirena is a type of IUD. Mirena releases the progestin, levonorgestrel (20 mcg a day). Mirena is inserted into your uterus by a healthcare provider. Once inserted, it can be left in place for up to seven years. All you need to remember to do is check the Mirena IUD strings—this will tell you that your Mirena is still in place. Because it has progestin, Mirena is a little more effective than the ParaGard IUD. Besides being used as contraception, Mirena has been FDA-approved to help treat heavy periods. You can also have your Mirena IUD removed at any time before the 8-year timeframe is over.

The Mini-Pill

The mini-pill is a progestin-only type of birth control pill. They are known to cause fewer side effects than combination pills. Because they do not contain estrogen, the mini-pill is a good birth control option for new breastfeeding moms. The mini-pill is most effective when taken at the same time every day. The mini-pill comes in 28-day packs—you need to remember to take one of these pills every day for each 4-week pill cycle.

In July 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Opill (norgestrel), a progestin-only oral contraceptive, to be sold over-the-counter (OTC). Opill is the first and only birth control pill available without a prescription. Before starting a birth control method, it's a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider, even if your method of choice doesn't require a prescription.

Skyla IUD

Skyla is also known as the mini IUD. Once inserted, Skyla releases the progestin levonorgestrel (14 mcg a day)—Skyla lasts for three years. The Skyla IUD is considered a great hormonal birth control option for teenagers and women who haven't given birth. The Skyla IUD (and the tube used to insert it) is smaller than Mirena and ParaGard. This makes Skyla a little bit easier and less painful to insert. Like any IUD, you can also have Skyla removed at any time.

A Word From Verywell

These birth control methods may not be the safest contraception for all women. That's why it's important to talk to your healthcare provider and review your medical history carefully.

Be honest during this conversation. Why? Because certain behaviors (like smoking) may put you more at risk for complications while using hormonal birth control.

Also, keep in mind that hormonal birth control:

  • Does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases
  • May be less effective if you use certain medications
  • Could possibly increase your risk of developing a blood clot
  • May be less effective if you are very overweight
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Petitti DB, Sidney S. Four decades of research on hormonal contraceptionPerm J. 2005;9(1):29–34. doi:10.7812/tpp/04-129

  2. Regidor PA. The clinical relevance of progestogens in hormonal contraception: Present status and future developmentsOncotarget. 2018;9(77):34628–34638. Published 2018 Oct 2. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.26015

  3. Wieder DR, Pattimakiel L. Examining the efficacy, safety, and patient acceptability of the combined contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing)Int J Womens Health. 2010;2:401–409. Published 2010 Nov 12. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S6162

  4. Galzote RM, Rafie S, Teal R, Mody SK. Transdermal delivery of combined hormonal contraception: a review of the current literatureInt J Womens Health. 2017;9:315–321. Published 2017 May 15. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S102306

  5. Thew M. Etonogestrel Implant-To Leave or Stay: A Case Series [published correction appears in Glob Pediatr Health. 2018 Apr 11;5:2333794X18770311]. Glob Pediatr Health. 2017;4:2333794X17738844. Published 2017 Nov 21. doi:10.1177/2333794X17738844

  6. Halpern V, Combes SL, Dorflinger LJ, Weiner DH, Archer DF. Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injected in the upper armContraception. 2014;89(1):31-35. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2013.07.002

  7. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. Mirena prescribing information.

  8. Grimes DA, Lopez LM, Obrien PA, Raymond EG. Progestin-only pills for contraceptionCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007541.pub2

  9. Nelson AL, Massoudi N. New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the USOpen Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. Published 2016 Sep 13. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755

  10. National Research Council (US) Committee on Population. Contraception and Reproduction: Health Consequences for Women and Children in the Developing World. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1989. 4, Contraceptive Benefits and Risks.

By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC
Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience.