Birth Control

Hormonal birth control primarily comes in five types: pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection, and implant. These options deliver estrogen, progesterone, or both to prevent pregnancy.

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills are taken daily and vary by hormone levels and brand. They are categorized as:

• Combination pills – contain both estrogen and progesterone.
• Progesterone-only pills – also called “mini pills.”
• Extended cycle pills – reduce the frequency of periods.

Birth Control Patches

Available brands like Xulane® and Twirla® are applied to the skin weekly, releasing estrogen and progesterone into the bloodstream.

Birth Control Vaginal Ring

FDA-approved options include NuvaRing® (ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel) and Annovera® (segesterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol). Rings are worn for 21 days, removed for seven days, and replaced according to the product schedule—Annovea lasts a full year with monthly removal.

Birth Control Injection

Depo-Provera® is a progesterone-based injection administered every three months by a healthcare provider.

Birth Control Implant

Nexplanon® is a small rod inserted under the skin of the inner upper arm, providing continuous progestin for up to three years.

We offer a variety of monthly hormonal birth control options, including brand-name and generic equivalents to ensure you maintain uninterrupted coverage. Options may include:

• Drospirenone (ethinyl estradiol, Ocella, Syeda, Zumandimine)
• Junel Fe 24 (Blisovi 24 FE, Larin 24 FE)
• Levonorgestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol (Iclevia, Introvale, Jolessa, Setlakin)
• LoJaimiess (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
• Nikki (drospirenone-ethinyl estradiol, Jasmiel, Lo-Zumandimine, Loryna, Vestura)
• Norethindrone (Errin, Camila, Incassia, Deblitane, Norlyda)
• Portia (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol, Marlissa)
• Sprintec (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol, Mili, Mono-Linyah, Estarylla, VyLibra)
• Tri-Estarylla (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol, trinessa, Tri-Mili, Tri-Linyah, Tri-Femynor, Tri-Spintec, Tri-VyLibra)
• Tri-Lo-Sprintec (Tri-Lo-Estaryl, norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol, Tri-Lo-Marzia, Tri-Lo-Mili, Tri-VyLibra)
• Volnea (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)
• Xulane (Zafemy, norelgestromin-ethinyl estradiol)

Hormonal birth control is about 99% effective when used perfectly. Typical use reduces effectiveness to approximately 91%. The type of method does not significantly change effectiveness as long as the schedule is followed—daily for pills, weekly for patches, monthly for rings, every three months for injections, or up to three years for implants.

Pros of Patches vs. Pills:

• Applied once a week, unlike daily pills.
• Can be visually confirmed for proof of use.

Cons of Patches vs. Pills:

• May cause skin irritation.
• Estrogen levels are higher than in most pills, which may increase side effects.

Hormonal birth control is also used for conditions beyond pregnancy prevention, including:

• Menstrual disorders and pain
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and PMDD
• Acne and seborrheic dermatitis
• Hair loss (alopecia) and follicular cysts
• Endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease
• Menstrual migraine and multiple sclerosis
• Certain cancers (endometrial, ovarian, colon)

The best method depends on your health, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Discuss options with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable choice.

You can switch methods, but temporary overlap or alternative protection may be needed to maintain pregnancy prevention during the transition.

Always check the expiration date on packaging. Medications are effective until the end of the listed month; using expired birth control may reduce effectiveness.

Prices start at $10 per month without insurance. A free online doctor consultation can help you find the right prescription.

The FDA has approved one over-the-counter birth control pill: Opill® (norgestrel), a progestin-only daily pill.

You can obtain prescription birth control online through a licensed provider after completing a quick virtual consultation, eliminating the need for in-person appointments.

• American Family Physician
• Cleveland Clinic
• Cleveland Clinic
• Cleveland Clinic
• Cleveland Clinic
• National Library of Medicine
• National Library of Medicine
• Planned Parenthood
• News Medical
• National Library of Medicine
• Planned Parenthood
• FDA