Hormonal Methods

What is it and how does it work?

An oral medication containing hormones that once released into the body, will prevent pregnancy⁽⁵⁸⁾ by preventing fertilization. You take one pill everyday⁽⁵⁸⁾.

What does it prevent?

Reduces your chances of pregnancy, does not prevent STIs⁽⁵⁸⁾.

What is its effectiveness?

When taken exactly as instructed, the pill is 99% effective⁽⁵⁹⁾. If you forget to take the pill occasionally, it is about 91% effective at preventing pregnancy⁽⁵⁹⁾.

Side Effects

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Sore breasts
• Spotting
• Changes in your periods
• Reduce menstrual cramps
• Reduce effects of PMS
• Lighter menstrual flow
• Prevents acne

What else to know?

To make it the most effective, take the pill everyday, at the same time each day⁽⁵⁹⁾. If you take other medications, talk to a health care provider to make sure there are no drug interactions that could lower the effectiveness of your oral contraception pills⁽⁵⁹⁾.

What is it and how does it work?

The patch is similar to a band-aid. It is placed directly on your skin and releases hormones which prevent pregnancy⁽⁶¹⁾.

How do I use it?

Choose a schedule that suits you:

• If you would like to have your period once a month, put a new patch on every week for 3 weeks⁽⁶²⁾. On the fourth week, remove the patch and do not put a new one on - this is the week you will have your period⁽⁶²⁾.
• If you would prefer to not have your period at all, put a new patch on every week, including the 4th week⁽⁶²⁾.

How to use⁽⁶¹⁾:

• Check expiration date
• Carefully unwrap the patch and try not to touch the sticky side with your fingers
• Place the sticky part of the patch on dry and clean skin on either your abdomen, upper arm, back or buttocks.
• Use your hands to gently but firmly press down on the patch for 10 seconds.

To remove the patch⁽⁶¹⁾:

• Gently peel off the patch
• Fold the sticky sides together in half
• Put it in a plastic bag and dispose of it in the garbage.
• Do not flush down the toilet

What does it prevent?

The patch reduces the risk of pregnancy, but does not prevent STIs⁽⁶¹⁾.

What is its effectiveness?

The patch is about 99% effective when you use it perfectly every time⁽⁶³⁾. It is common to make a mistake and easy to forget to change the patch on time, so in reality the patch is about 91% effective⁽⁶³⁾.

Side Effects⁽⁶⁴⁾

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Sore breasts
• Spotting
• Sore skin where the patch is placed
• Reduce menstrual cramps
• Reduce effects of PMS
• Lighter menstrual flow
• Changes in your periods
• Prevents Acne

What else should I know?⁽⁶¹⁾

• Keep each individual patch sealed in its packaging until you are about to put it on
• Store unused patches away from sunlight and at room temperature
• Don’t apply cream, oils, powder or makeup to the area where you put the patch, it wont stay on your skin as well
• You can get the patch wet when you take a shower, go for a swim and sweat.
• Check the patch everyday to make sure it is still sticking to your skin and not coming off.

What is it and how does it work?

A small ring that is inserted into the vagina and releases hormones that prevent ovulation⁽⁶⁵⁾.

How do I use it?

• Get a prescription from a doctor⁽⁶⁸⁾
• Usually, the contraceptive ring is changed every 3-4 weeks depending on each individual's own personal circumstances. Talk to a doctor or a healthcare professional to find a schedule that works best for you.

To insert a new ring:⁽⁶⁶⁾

• Check expiration date on package and wash your hands
• Squeeze the ring together and gently insert it into your vagina
• Wash your hands

To remove an old ring⁽⁶⁶⁾:

• Wash your hands
• Insert a finger and hook it around the ring
• Pull the ring out
• Dispose of the ring as indicated on the packaging
• Wash your hands

What does it prevent?

Prevents against pregnancy, does not prevent STIs⁽⁶⁵⁾

What is its effectiveness?

• If you use the ring exactly how it is supposed to be used, it is 99% effective.
• However, it is very easy to make a mistake, or forget to change your ring on time, so in reality it is about 91% effective⁽⁶⁷⁾.

Side Effects⁽⁶⁹⁾

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Sore breasts
• Spotting
• Reduce menstrual cramps
• Reduce effects of PMS
• Lighter menstrual flow
• Changes in your periods

What else should I know about the CVR?

• Leave the ring in your vagina as much as possible, including when you have sex⁽⁶⁵⁾.
• If you do take the ring out, rinse it off in cool water, and put it back in as soon as possible⁽⁶⁵⁾.
• If the ring is out of your vagina for more than 2 days: insert a new ring as soon as possible but it may not be fully effective at preventing pregnancy for 7 days so it is important to use another form of contraception during this time⁽⁷⁰⁾.
• Store unused rings away from sunlight and at room temperature for up to 4 months⁽⁶⁵⁾
• If a ring will not be used within 4 months, keep it in the refrigerator⁽⁶⁵⁾

What is it and how does it work?

• A medication in the form of an injection that contains progestin, a hormone that prevents pregnancy.⁽⁷¹⁾
• You will need to get the birth control shot every 12-13 weeks, so it is important to have access to a healthcare facility⁽⁷¹⁾.

What does it prevent?

Prevents against pregnancy, does not prevent STIs⁽⁷¹⁾

What is its effectiveness?

• The birth control shot can be more than 99% effective if the shot is administered on time, every time⁽⁷²⁾.
• If you forget or don’t get the shot on time, then it is only around 94% effective⁽⁷²⁾

Side Effects⁽⁷³⁾

• Longer Periods
• Spotting
• Not having your period
• Sore breasts
• Depression
• Nausea
• Headache
• Weight Gain

What else should I know?

• Keep track of your appointments and when you need to get the shot – don’t forget!⁽⁷¹⁾
• The first time you get the birth control shot it will be effective right away, if you get it within the first 7 days of your period⁽⁷¹⁾.
• If you do not get the shot within the first 7 days of your period, it will take about 1 week to become fully effective, so make sure to use barrier contraception⁽⁷¹⁾!

What is it and how does it work?

An oral medication that prevents ovulation from happening. It is taken after unprotected sex has taken place⁽⁷⁴⁾.

What does it prevent?

Prevents pregnancy, does not prevent STIs⁽⁷⁹⁾

What is its effectiveness?

• If taken within 5 days of unprotected sex, the Ella Morning After Pill can decrease the chance of pregnancy by 85%⁽⁷⁵⁾.
• Plan B Morning After Pill can decrease the chance of pregnancy between 75-89% if taken within 3 days of unprotected sex⁽⁷⁸⁾.

What else should I know about the Morning After Pill?

It is important that you do not rely on this method because it should only be used in an emergency as a last resort⁽⁷⁴⁾.