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
Progestin Shots (Depo-Provera)
Effectiveness: 97 to 99.7 percent (1-6 pregnancies per 100 women each year).
What is it? The shot is an injection of progestin, a synthetic version of the body's hormone progesterone. The shot lasts for 3 months (12 weeks) and requires four trips a year to your health care provider.
How does it work? It uses hormones to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg. It also prevents fertilization by affecting the lining of uterus and thickening the cervical mucus.
STD protection: No; you will still need to use condoms if you are concerned about STDs.
Benefits: It's simple and convenient and allows women to feel more spontaneous about having sex. You don't have to take a daily pill or interrupt foreplay to take care of birth control. It is a very private method of birth control. Because the shot does not contain estrogen, it may be taken if you are breastfeeding or cannot take estrogen for other reasons, such as if you smoke or have high blood pressure. Your periods will likely stop, though you may have irregular bleeding. It may decrease your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and endometrial cancer.
