Birth Control Options for Women - Oral Contraception

Highlights	Injected Contraceptives	Emergency Contraception
Introduction	Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)	Female Sterilization
Oral Contraceptives and Combination Hormonal Methods	Spermicidal and Barrier Contraceptives	Resources
Implant Contraceptives	Fertility Awareness Methods	References

Oral Contraceptives and Combination Hormonal Methods

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) are available only by prescription and come in either a combination of estrogen and progestin or progestin alone. Many brands of each form are available. Although both types are equally effective with typical use, the combined pill is more effective with perfect use, and most women choose this form. The birth control pill is the most popular form of contraception in the United States, used by more than 10 million American women.

Some women, however, experience severe headaches or high blood pressure from the estrogen in the combined pill and must take the progestin-only pill. Not all combined pills or progestin-only pills are alike, and brands differ in the amount of estrogen or progestin they contain. Many oral contraceptive combined brands now use lower estrogen doses and have fewer side effects than earlier oral contraceptives.

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For all oral contraceptive users, a check-up at least once a year is essential. It is also important for women to have their blood pressure checked 3 months after beginning the pill. Once woman stop taking oral contraceptives they usually regain fertility within 3 - 6 months, but some women may regain it even sooner.

Hormones Used in Contraceptives

Estrogen (Estradiol)

Estrogen is the major female hormone and is responsible for female characteristics. The estrogen compound used in most oral contraceptives is estradiol, which is always used with a progestin.

Effects on Reproduction. When used throughout a menstrual cycle with progestin, estrogen suppresses the actions of other reproductive hormones (luteinizing hormone, or LH, and follicle stimulating hormone, or FSH) and prevents ovulation.

Progesterone (Progestin)

When used in contraception, progesterone is referred to by one of several names:

Progesterone is the name for the natural hormone that the body produces.
Progestin is the synthetic form of progesterone that is used in contraceptives.
Progestogen is the term for any hormone, natural or synthetic, that causes progesterone effects.