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Hormones direct the process of ovulation. Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones that direct many of the processes surrounding the menstrual cycle.

The Pill

Effectiveness: "Combination pill" has a failure rate of about 5%, and the "progestin-only" pill has a failure rate of approximately 10%.

NOTE:  MAY BE AN ABORTIVE METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL as fertilization of an egg is still possible.

Overview

The Pill is a prescription method of birth control (a monthly series of pills taken on a daily basis) classified according to the synthetic hormones that they contain.  Most contain a combination of two hormones, progestin and estrogen.  The estrogen essentially stops the development of the egg in the ovary.  The progestin changes the mucus in the cervix and helps prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.  In addition, the lining of the uterus does not fully develop so there is less chance that a fertilized egg will become implanted.  The "mini-pill" contains only one hormone, progestin. It prevents the development of the egg and changes the cervical mucus (which helps to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg).  Use of the pill may be abortifacient. Modern combination pills contain less estrogen than their predecessors allowing eggs to be released by the ovaries up to 10% of the time.  Therefore, there is a chance that a fertilized egg will reach the uterus (although it will not be able to implanted).

• Reversible
• One of the most effective forms of contraception
• More comfortable and regular periods

• Protects against: ovarian and endometrial cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease, non-cancerous breast tumors, and ovarian cysts
• Fewer tubal pregnancies

• Possible abortifacient.
• Must be taken daily
• Some antibiotics interfere with birth control pills

• May experience irregular bleeding for the first few months after starting the pills
• May experience increased appetite, depression or moodiness, headaches and/or dizziness, nausea and vomiting, weight change, high blood pressure, or breast tenderness
• No protection against sexually-transmitted diseases
• Rare but serious health risks, including: blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, almost all these risks are for women over 35 who smoke cigarettes

Depo Provera

Effectiveness: Failure rates of approximately 1 to 5%.

NOTE:  MAY BE AN ABORTIVE METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL as fertilization of an egg is still possible.

Overview

Depo-Provera is a progestin (hormone) injection given by a doctor every three months (you must return to your health care provider thereafter for future injections).   Although slightly different than the progestin in Norplant, Depo-Provera, and the mini-pill, these injections work in the same way.  Depo-Provera works by preventing the development of the egg and by changing the cervical mucus, thus helping to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.  Unlike the "Pill," it does not contain estrogen or need to be taken every day.

Benefits

• One of the most effective forms of birth control

• No estrogen-related side effects

• One injection every three months

Disadvantages

• Does not protect against sexually-transmitted diseases
• Possible abortifacient.

• Not a good choice if you want to be pregnant in the near future. It may take from nine to twenty-four months after you stop taking it to become pregnant

• May experience headache, weight gain, nervousness, and menstrual irregularities
• Some studies indicate increased chances of cervical cancer and breast cancer, and can also cause hemorrhaging
• Similar progestins are known to cause fetal defects

• Possible dizziness, allergy, depression, and ovarian cysts
• Causes menstrual cycle irregularities for most users
• May decrease bone density

Norplant

Effectiveness: Failure rates of approximately 1 to 5% (varies based on woman's weight and the length of time Norplant is used).

NOTE:  See recent news story about Norplant lawsuit.  Also, MAY BE AN ABORTIVE METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL as fertilization of an egg is still possible.

Overview

Norplant is a progestin (hormone) implant, consisting of six small plastic rods surgically placed under the skin of a woman's upper arm.  A low dose of progestin is then continuously released for up to five years. Norplant prevents pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and by thickening the cervical mucus.

NOTE:

Women taking Norplant have been found to ovulate 11-73% of the time, making conception quite possible. If conception does occur, changes in the uterus will cause the abortion of the fertilized egg.

Benefits

• Procedure usually takes less than ten minutes
• Generally highly effective
• Lasts up to five years but can be removed sooner
• Contains no estrogen
• Decrease in menstrual cramps
  

• Possible abortifacient.
• Heavier women can expect more failures
• Expensive, $500-700 for insertion

• Prescription-only and must inserted by a health care provider
• May alter menstrual cycle or cause irregular bleeding
• Does not protect against sexually-transmitted diseases
• May experience weight gain, breast tenderness or decrease in bone density
• May be difficult to remove and/or cause scarring