Pill to patch: all about birth control

Women these days have options. There are more contraceptive methods available to women today than ever, and technology has helped improve the effectiveness of those options.

The first oral contraceptive, commonly known as “the pill,” was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1960, and is widely used today. Taken daily, it suppresses ovulation with a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. A chewable form of the pill was approved in 2003. Both forms are 98 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

The “mini-pill” contains lower levels of progestin and no amount of estrogen. It is 98 percent effective as a contraceptive.

A newer contraceptive pill, called Seasonale, works in the same way as the others, but is taken in a 12-week regimen rather than three weeks at a time. The result is only having four menstrual periods a year. It is available by prescription, 98-99 percent effective and, like all oral contraceptives, must be taken on a daily schedule regardless of sexual activity.

Innovation has taken birth control past physically ingesting hormones through the mouth. Ortho Evra, the patch, is a self-adhesive patch for the skin worn on the upper body, lower abdomen or even the butt.

The patch releases progestin and estrogen, the same hormones used in the pill form, into the bloodstream. A new patch must be applied once a week for three weeks, and then the woman goes patch-less for the week of her menstrual period. The patch was FDA approved in 2001. It is 98-99 percent effective, but less successful when used by women weighing more than 198 lbs.

The newest to the market is the NuvaRing, approved in 2001. It is a flexible ring that a woman places in the vagina and the ring releases hormones into the body. One ring is left in for three weeks, and then removed for one week. The ring is 98-99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

Both the patch and the contraceptive ring are available by prescription only.

The FDA approved post-coital contraceptives, such as Plan B, in 1999. Taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex, the pills reduce the risk of pregnancy by 80 percent. The pills are not designed to be a regular method of pregnancy prevention but are available by prescription. Go2planb.com says that Plan B is not an “abortion” pill, but pro-life groups have hit the day-after pill with some criticism. Plan B will not work if a woman is already pregnant.

No pills, patches or rings protect against HIV or sexually transmitted infections. The male condom is still the most effective method, other than abstinence, in protecting against STDs. The condom is between 89 to 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. All forms of birth control are most effective when used consistently and correctly.