Beyond the Pill

The Latest in Birth Control Options

In this article:
The Patch (Ortho Evra)
Intrauterine Devices (IUD)
NuvaRing® (Vaginal Ring)
Depo-Provera (Contraceptive Injection)
The Mini Pill
Emergency Contraceptive

Birth control is a subject most women need to address at some point in their lives. With so many new alternatives available, the task of choosing the method that's best for you can be daunting.

Whether you've recently had a baby or just want to put your fertility on hold for a while, birth control is a subject most moms need to address at some time or other. With so many new options available, the task of choosing a method that's best for you can be daunting.

Do you want a contraceptive that is temporary and easily reversible? Are you looking for something a little more permanent but you're not quite ready to send your husband out for a vasectomy? Maybe you want a birth control method that is hormone-free and allows for spontaneity? Here are some of the newest options available.

The Patch (Ortho Evra)

Paper-thin, beige, and measuring just two inches by two inches, the patch emits the same hormones found in birth control pills and is also ninety-nine percent effective. The difference? You wear the patch on your body and only need to change it once a week rather than remember to take a pill daily. It can be worn on one of four areas of the body: the buttock, the outer arm, the upper torso (front or back, but not on the breast), or the lower abdomen. It is worn continuously for three weeks and is removed the fourth week, during your period. It's recommended that the patch location be switched each week to avoid irritating the skin.

Dr. Jennifer Kacmar, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brown Medical School/Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island Providence, RI, says the patch is the most used form of birth control within her practice. She states "ease of use and high effectiveness" as the primary reasons behind its success.

According to Joyce Wilder, CNM, MSN, of OB/GYN Associates of Northern New York, the most common side effect of the patch is irritation from the adhesive backing. "Otherwise, side effects are similar to the pill," says Wilder, "except there seems to be fewer gastrointestinal symptoms, since the drug doesn't pass through the stomach." Wilder does stress that women who smoke or are over 200 pounds should not use the patch.

Intrauterine Devices (IUD)

There are currently two types of Intrauterine Devices (IUD) available today. Both types, Mirena® and ParaGard® T 380A, require a doctor's visit where the T-shaped IUD is inserted into the uterus. The procedure takes just a few minutes and may cause some discomfort and menstrual-like cramps after insertion. Once the IUD is in place, you can forget about your birth control method for anywhere from five to ten years. At a ninety-nine percent effectiveness rate, the IUD is easily reversible and can be removed by a simple visit to your gynecologist if you decide to get pregnant. IUDs are recommended for women who are in monogamous relationships and have had at least one child.

Mirena® releases progestin, and the following reactions occur in the body: the uterine lining thins, causing lighter or non-existent periods (not a harmful side-effect), cervical mucus thickens, immobilizing sperm, and it may prohibit eggs from releasing. These combined actions stop a pregnancy from occurring. Mirena® can be left in place for up to five years.

The copper-based IUD, ParaGard®, is ideal for women who want a reversible, non-hormonal birth control option. "The copper and the IUD work as a spermicide and thicken the cervical mucus, preventing the sperm from reaching and ultimately fertilizing the egg," says Wilder.

ParaGard® can be left in place for up to ten years, and since it does not contain hormones, it's an ideal choice for women who suffer from headaches, weight gain, and other hormone-related symptoms. However, unlike Mirena®, which may stop a woman's period, ParaGard® can cause heavier periods.