Contraception Options for Women Over 40

Rings and patches. Other estrogen-based birth control options include NuvaRing, which is inserted into the vagina like a diaphragm with a three-weeks-on-one-week-off schedule; and Ortho Evra, a skin patch embedded with hormones.

Progestogen options. These options include the injection Depo-Provera, the matchstick-sized rod Implanon and the IUD Mirena. All use the hormone progestogen to prevent pregnancy, and all can be used for months (Depo-Provera) or years (Implanon and Mirena).

Nonhormonal options. Copper IUDs, spermicides, the Today Sponge, diaphragms, cervical caps and condoms provide protection without hormones, but none are as effective as hormonal measures. Barely any women 35 and older use barrier methods.

Now, if you answered "no" to the question above, then you might want to consider permanent contraception, either for you or your partner. Female sterilization is the most common form of contraception overall, and the birth control method used most often by women 35 and older. There are two primary forms of female sterilization: the traditional tubal ligation, often called "getting your tubes tied," and fallopian tube occlusion, a minimally invasive nonsurgical procedure. There are two systems approved for permanent contraception: Essure and Adiana. Both involve inserting a small device into your fallopian tube, which then causes tissue to grow and form a permanent barrier that blocks sperm from reaching the egg. The chart below compares tubal ligation and the nonsurgical permanent contraception.