Other Hormonal-Type Contraceptives

Written by: Lisa Cheng

Hormonal Injectables

Pills may not be ideal for some individuals as their lifestyle may not allow them to take a pill at the same time every day. Some women like the privacy of the clinic where others will not know that she is using a form of contraceptive. However, they will need to make an appointment for the injection which needs to be completed within a timely manner to have maximum effectiveness. Hormonal injections are an option and women have two choices: i) progestin-only and ii) combined progestin and estrogen.

Progestin-only injections can be given every two months/eight weeks or three months/thirteen weeks depending on the brand. Unlike the other birth control options presented in this article, the return to fertility after stopping injections is not immediate. There is a delay of several months or longer to become pregnant. One major consideration for using hormonal injections is the possibility of weight gain (1 to 2 kilograms each year), which may be viewed as positive or negative.

Combined progestin and estrogen injectables need to be provided on a more frequent basis of every month. They contain less progestin than the progestin-only injectables with an added dose of estrogen. Since they require monthly injections, women will observe more regular bleeding than the other type of injections. There is also a delay of five months (averaged) in the ability to become pregnant after injections are stopped, which is the longest period among all birth control option.

Hormonal Patches

Hormonal patches are a non-invasive and painless option for individuals who do not want to adhere to a daily medication schedule or cannot make it to the doctor’s office on time every three months. These patches will release an estrogen and a progestin consistently for absorption across the skin and into the body. Similar to combination hormonal pills, they have a three weeks ‘on’, one week ‘off’ schedule. Patches are placed on the lower abdomen, butt, or upper body (avoid the breasts) once a week for three weeks, and on the fourth week, no patch is applied. They are replaced every week and the adhesive patch should be worn at all times of the day.

Combined Vaginal Rings

Combined vaginal rings are flexible, plastic rings that continuously releases an estrogen and a progestin. The hormones can be absorbed through the vaginal wall into the body. The ring is inserted for three weeks or twenty-one days at a time and then taken out for one week (seven days). Its removal is not recommended, but it does not have significant consequences unless the ring is not replaced within 48 hours. If the ring does come out for any reason, it should be rinsed under water and reinserted as soon as possible, if not immediately.