Available Prescription Birth Control

The pill is the common name for oral contraception. It's one of the safest, most effective, and popular methods of birth control. The pill is made up of synthetic forms of hormones that naturally occur in a female's body - progesterone and estrogen. The pill works by stopping the action of the hormones that trigger ovulation. Thereby, preventing the release of an egg. It also thickens the cervical mucus, so it makes it hard for sperm to swim. The pill comes in 2 forms: combination pills and progestin-only pills. The pill must be taken daily to sustain the hormone levels needed to prevent ovulation.

• Common Pill Myths

The shot, also known as DMPA, is an injectable form of progestin (one of the same synthetic hormones found in the pill). This method works by thickening cervical mucus and suppressing ovulation. It must be given every 3 months (12 weeks) and will only provide optimal pregnancy protection for that amount of time. There are two versions available - the Depo Provera shot and the Depo-subQ Provera injection.

• Black Box Safety Warning for Depo Provera

The ring is a small, flexible circle about 2 inches in diameter. The female inserts it into her vagina once a month and leaves it in place for 3 weeks. She then takes it out for the remaining week. The ring secretes synthetic estrogen and progestin to protect against pregnancy for one month. Like other hormonal methods, the ring prevents an egg from being released by the ovaries and can thicken the cervical mucus to make it more challenging from the sperm to swim through. This method may be more prone to error than some of the other prescription options (due to misuse, misplacement, and not staying where it should).

The Ortho Evra Patch is a thin, beige, plastic patch and is applied (sticks) to the skin of the stomach, buttocks, upper outer arm, shoulder, or upper torso once a week for 3 weeks in a row. It works best when it is changed on the same day of the week for the 3 weeks, and it is not applied in the fourth week. The patch releases synthetic estrogen and progestin which provides weekly protection against pregnancy. The patch, as well, prevents ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix. This method may also be subject to more error especially if the patch becomes loose or falls off or if it is not replaced each week.

• Ortho Evra Patch Safety Warning

The diaphragm is latex or silicone, dome-shaped cup with a flexible rim. It is inserted securely in the vagina and becomes a barrier which covers the cervix. Before insertion, the diaphragm and its ring should be covered with spermicidal jelly or cream. It is put in place before intercourse and needs to be left in place for 6 to 8 hours after ejaculation. Additional spermicide must be applied before another act of intercourse. A doctor must measure the woman's vagina to determine the correct type and size of diaphragm. The diaphragm blocks the opening to the uterus while the spermicide hinders the sperm's movement.

An IUD is a small, plastic device shaped like a T. The ParaGard (Copper T 380A) is the only non-medicated IUD available in the US. This IUD has copper (which acts as a spermicide) coiled around it. The IUD irritates the lining of the uterus, which makes it harder for implantation. It also serves as an irritant, so white blood cells migrate to the inflamed uterus and can help to destroy sperm. The IUD is inserted into the uterus by a doctor and has 2 filament strings which hang down into the vagina. A woman can feel the strings to make sure the IUD is still in place, and it can be left in place for up to 10 years.

The Mirena IUD is a small, T-shaped flexible piece of plastic. It continuously releases a small amount of progestin. Due to the progestin, it is a little more effective than the ParaGard. Besides changing the lining of the uterus, this IUD also thickens cervical mucus (serving as a barrier to sperm), and in some cases, it may suppress ovulation. The Mirena is inserted into the uterus by a doctor and has strings which 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 is effective for 5 years.

Implanon is a newer type of implant that is not yet broadly accessible. It consists of a thin, flexible plastic implant about the size of a cardboard matchstick, and it is also inserted under the skin in the arm. It is a progestin-only method and provides about 3 years of protection. Insertion requires a local anesthetic and only takes a few minutes. Implants should be removed when they are no longer effective because they can interfere with menstrual cycles. They can also be removed anytime before the 3 years are up.

A Cervical Cap (like FemCap) is a silicone or latex cup. It is similar to a diaphragm but is made to fit onto the cervix. Unlike a diaphragm, the cervical cap can be left in place for up to 24 hours without additional spermicide. It still uses spermicidal cream/jelly but in less amounts. It needs to be left in place for 6-8 hours after ejaculation and has to be fitted by a doctor. This device blocks the opening to the cervix while the spermicide impedes the sperm's movement. The Lea's Shield (a similar device) is also a silicone cup but has an air valve and a loop to aid in removal.

Norplant implants consist of small, match-stick sized tubes made of flexible plastic called Silastic. They are implanted surgically beneath the skin on the upper arm (using a local anesthetic). The rods are hollow inside and are filled with synthetic progestin. 6 tubes are implanted which can provide up to 5 years of protection (as this is how long it takes for the hormone to seep out). The rods release a continuous dose of progestin to prevent ovulation. They can be taken out at any time. Once Norplant is removed, fertility can be regained within a few months. Norplant is no longer available in the United States.