A Guys' Guide to Birth Control:

Female Hormonal Methods

 

Intro	Female Barrier Methods
Abstinence	Female Hormonal Methods
Male Condoms	Other Birth Control Methods for Females
Withdrawal

What are hormonal methods of birth control?

Hormonal methods of birth control are types of birth control that use hormones (estrogen and/or progestin) to help prevent ovulation. There are many different types of hormonal birth control, and they vary in their effectiveness.

 

What are the different types of female hormonal methods?

There are six types of female barrier methods:

1. Birth Control Pills
2. Depo-Provera® Hormonal Injections
3. Estrogen/Progestin Hormonal Injections
4. Hormonal Implants
5. Hormone Patch (Ortho-Evra®)
6. Vaginal Hormonal Ring (NuvaRing®)

How does each method work, and how effective are they at preventing pregnancy?

Each female hormonal method has a different efficacy rate towards preventing pregnancy. These rates vary depending on “typical use” vs. “perfect use”. Keep in mind that perfect use hardly ever happens.

 

Birth Control Pills

 

Birth control pills (also called oral contraceptive pills or the “Pill”) are small tablets that a woman takes each day. The pills are made up of hormones (progestin-only or a combination of estrogen and progestin) that work to prevent pregnancy.

 

Out of 100 women using combination or progestin-only pills
Typical use: 8 women become pregnant in a year
Perfect use: 1 or less women become pregnant in a year

 

Depo-Provera® Hormonal Injections:

 

Depo-Provera® is an injection (shot) that a woman is given every 3 months. The shot contains a hormone that works to prevent pregnancy.

 

Out of 100 women using Depo-Provera®
Typical use: 6 women become pregnant in a year
Perfect use: 1 or less women become pregnant in a year

 

Estrogen/Progestin Hormonal Injections:

 

An estrogen-progestin hormonal injection is a shot than a woman receives once a month. It contains hormones that prevent pregnancy. *Note: These injections are not currently available in the US.

 

Out of 100 women using estrogen/progestin injections
Typical use: 1 or less women become pregnant in a year
Perfect use: 1 or less women become pregnant in a year

 

Hormonal Implants:

 

A hormonal implant is a tin rod the size of a matchstick that gets inserted under the skin of a woman's upper arm. The implant releases hormones that prevent pregnancy.

 

Out of 100 women using hormonal implants
Typical use: 1 or less women become pregnant in a year
Perfect use: 1 or less women become pregnant in a year

 

Hormone Patch (Ortho-Evra®):

 

The hormone patch looks like a small square Band-Aid® and is worn on the skin; either on the stomach, buttocks, upper back, or upper arm. It contains hormones that get absorbed through the skin and works to prevent pregnancy.

 

Out of 100 women using a hormone patch
Typical use: 9 women become pregnant in a year
Perfect use: 1 or less women become pregnant in a year

 

Vaginal Hormonal Ring (NuvaRing®):

 

The vaginal hormonal ring, also called “NuvaRing®” or “the ring”, is a small, flexible ring that a woman inserts into her vagina. The ring releases hormones that prevent pregnancy.

 

Out of 100 women using a vaginal hormonal ring
Typical use: 9 women become pregnant in a year
Perfect use: 1 or less women become pregnant in a year

 

Do hormonal methods of birth control protect against STDs?

No. Hormonal methods of birth control do NOT protect against STDs.

 

Previous

Next: Other Birth Control Methods for Females

 

Written by the CYWH and YMH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

 

Updated: 11/22/2011