Non-Estrogen Hormonal Birth Control

If you need or want to avoid estrogen-containing oral contraception, talk to your health care provider about a progestin-only pill, often called the "mini-pill." It can be used in women who smoke or who have estrogen-related side effects with combination oral contraceptives. These pills change the consistency of the mucus in your cervix, making it thicker so it's more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.

Other non-estrogen options include:

• Depo-Provera (DMPA), or the low-dose form, Depo-Subq-Provera. This injection protects you against unwanted pregnancy for up to three months. It carries a slight risk of reduced bone mineral density (which disappears when you stop using it), so it isn't recommended for women with a high risk of osteoporosis. It can also cause unwanted spotting and irregular bleeding, but 80 percent of women experience no bleeding after two years of use. It is 91 to 99 percent effective.

• Implanon. Implanon is a matchstick-sized rod that contains a progestin called etonogestrel. It is implanted in your upper arm and provides protection for up to three years. It is not recommended for women with a history of breast cancer. Common side effects include abnormal bleeding, headache and depression. Implanon is 99 percent effective when used consistently and correctly.

• Mirena. This IUD continuously releases progestin called levonorgestrel for five years or longer. This type of IUD may be recommended to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. One advantage for perimenopausal women is that it significantly reduces bleeding from your period or stops bleeding altogether. The major side effect is some irregular bleeding. It's more than 99 percent effective when used as directed.

This content was produced with the support of an educational grant from Conceptus, Inc.

Create Date: 5/7/07
Date Last Updated: 5/7/07