Health Center - Birth Control
For many women, birth control pills are the contraception method of choice. “The pill” has evolved over the years and more options exist than ever before. Unsure which is the right birth control method for you? Not sure what to do if you miss a pill? Find answers to these questions and more here.
Birth Control Pills Guide
The Pill Isn't Your Only Choice for Birth Control
There are two main types: the progestin IUD (Mirena), which releases the synthetic hormone progestin in your uterus and is effective for up to seven years, and the copper T IUD (ParaGard), which does not use hormones and lasts up to 12 years. Both work by slowing or stopping movement of the sperm and egg by changing cervical mucus, fallopian tubes and the uterine lining. The progestin IUD also releases hormones to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg, similar to other forms of progestin-only birth control.
Another method that you can get from your health care provider and then forget about is the progestin implant (Implanon and Nexplanon), which is inserted into your upper arm. It is more than 99 percent effective and lasts up to three years, at which time it must be removed by your health care provider and replaced, if desired.
A couple other methods that require some tracking on your part, but not daily vigilance, include:
