Hormonal Birth Control Methods (Non-Pill Options)
Which hormonal birth control can I use if I don't want to use the pill?
Birth control pills are popular - they're easy, convenient and affordable. But not every person may want to risk remembering to take a daily pill to prevent pregnancy. The good news is there are other convenient hormonal birth control options that are very effective including the birth control patch, shot, implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or the vaginal ring.
Non-pill hormonal birth control options include:
- Birth control patches: Xulane (ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin) and Twirla (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol)
- Birth control ring: NuvaRing (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel), generic EluRyng (ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel) and Annovera Vaginal Ring (ethinyl estradiol and segesterone acetate)
- Birth control implant: Nexplanon (etonogestrel implant), which a health care provider surgically inserts into your upper arm.
- Intrauterine device or IUD (levonorgestrel): Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena, or Liletta, placed into your uterus by a health care provider. Paragard is the copper IUD contraceptive but does not contain any hormones.
- Birth control shot (medroxyprogesterone): Depo-Provera Contraceptive or Depo-subQ Provera 104.
Review each product individually for a full listing of uses, warnings, and side effects.
Advantages of using birth control that is not a daily pill
- Convenient pregnancy protection and no need to remember to take a daily pill.
- A high level of contraceptive effectiveness; progestin-only forms may have slightly lower effectiveness.
- Some methods, such as the IUD, can be left in place and work for 5 or more years (the non-hormonal copper IUD, or Paragard, can last up to 10 years).
- Progestin-only forms may be used by women who are breastfeeding or cannot use estrogen due to health reasons. Estrogen may slow down milk production during breastfeeding.
- Some options, like the IUD, patch, shot implant and vaginal rings may be used for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding instead of the pill.
Warnings and side effects for hormonal birth control
Some females may not be able to use non-pill forms of birth control that contain hormones. For example, hormonal birth control may not be suitable for females with a history of:
- breast cancer (or any cancer that is sensitive to female hormones)
- endometrial or cervical cancer
- unexplained vaginal bleeding
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- liver tumors or disease
- kidney disease
- adrenal disease
- diabetes with blood vessel damage
- heart disease, heart attack, or problems with your heart valves
- take certain hepatitis C medicines
- severe headaches
- increased blood clotting risk or stroke risk
- jaundice during pregnancy
- allergies to any ingredients in their birth control
- or if pregnant.
Smoking increases the risk of serious heart side effects when using a combined estrogen and progestin birth control, including the ring or the patch. Combination estrogen and progestin birth control should NOT be used (is contraindicated) in women over 35 years of age who smoke due to an increased risk of serious side effects, such as heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. This risk increases with your age and the number of cigarettes you smoke.
You should talk to your healthcare professional about your heart risks before deciding which birth control method to use.
The pill, patch, vaginal ring, IUD, implant or birth control shot do not protect against any form of sexually transmitted infection (STI), including HIV and AIDS. A male latex condom or female condom should be used in combination with other birth control options if protection against STDs is needed.
Let your physician know if you have migraine headaches when discussing birth control options. You may need to avoid hormonal birth control if you have certain kinds of severe migraine headaches.
Certain medicines may make birth control less effective; check with your pharmacist or doctor for possible drug interactions with all prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and herbal or dietary supplement medicines you take.
Breastfeeding mothers may need to avoid the estrogen in combined hormonal birth control as it may reduce milk supply, especially before the milk supply is established. Birth control options for breastfeeding women include:
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
- Progestin only pills (“mini-pills”)
- Contraceptive implant
- Birth control shot
You can usually start using these options right after giving birth.
Non-pill options that may be most effective and safe for women with obesity or who are overweight may be the birth control shot, an IUD (levonorgestrel or copper) or the contraceptive implant.
Common side effects
- Spotting between periods
- Possible weight gain
- Breast swelling or tenderness
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Mood changes vaginal infections and irritation, vaginal secretion, headache, weight gain, and nausea.
Serious side effects
- Blurred vision
- Severe stomach pain
- Severe headache
- Swelling or pain in the legs
- Chest pain and an increased risk of a heart attack, blood clots, and stroke.
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin and herbal supplements. Certain medications may make birth control less effective.
Be sure to have a complete drug interaction review each time you start a new medication. Let your healthcare provider know if you are being treated for Hepatitis C virus.
For a complete list of severe side effects, please refer to the individual drug monographs. It is important to review the specific consumer information for your birth control of choice and discuss any questions or concerns with your healthcare provider.
Hormonal Birth Control Options (Non-Pill)
Generic Name | Proprietary Name / Generic Availability | Details |
---|---|---|
etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring |
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etonogestrel subdermal implant |
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ethinyl estradiol and segesterone |
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levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD) |
Generic options not available. |
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medoxyprogesterone acetate injection |
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norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol transdermal patch |
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levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol transdermal patch |
|
See also
- Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives)
- Birth Control Pills and Your Period
- Birth Control Pills: Benefits, Risks & Side Effects
- Birth Control Pills: Why do I get breakthrough bleeding?
- Emergency Contraception: What You Need to Know
- Emergency Contraceptives Available in the U.S.
- Grapefruit and Birth Control Pills: Your Questions Answered
- Missed your birth control pill? Here's what to do
- Non-hormonal Methods of Birth Control
- Permanent Birth Control
Learn more
- Antibiotics and Birth Control Pill Interactions
- Birth Control and Alcohol: Do They Interact?
- Birth Control Guide
Treatment options
Care guides
Medicine.com guides (external)
Sources
- Xulane Product Label. Mylan Pharmaceuticals. drugclasses.com. https://www.drugclasses.com/mtm/xulane-transdermal.html
- Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection. Pfizer. drugclasses.com. https://www.drugclasses.com/mtm/depo-provera-contraceptive-injection.html
- NuvaRing Product Label. Merck and Co. drugclasses.com. https://www.drugclasses.com/nuvaring.html
- Kyleena Product Label. Bayer. drugclasses.com. https://www.drugclasses.com/mtm/kyleena.html
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.