Which birth control pill is right for me quiz

The contraceptive ring is a flexible, clear, plastic ring measuring approximately 2 inches 54 mm in diameter. Inserted into the vagina once a month, it slowly releases two hormones, estrogen and a progestin, into the bloodstream, preventing pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg. It may also thicken the cervical mucus. The intrauterine device or IUD is a T-shaped device that contains a progestin hormone only, which is released slowly over time and acts on the lining of the uterus.

Effective for up to 3 or 5 years depending on the IUS, this method makes the lining of the uterus become thinner and the cervical mucus thicker to prevent pregnancy. Administered by a healthcare professional approximately every 3 months, this injection is given in the muscle of the arm or the buttocks and contains a progestin only. It stops your ovaries from releasing an egg every month, and also thins the lining of the uterus and thickens the mucus in the cervix to prevent pregnancy.

The Pill combined oral contraceptive. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Birth control. Products and services. Choosing a birth control pill Choosing the right birth control pill can be a challenge. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again.

Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. Ayer Company Publishers; Hatcher RA, et al. Managing Contraception For your pocket. Bridging the Gap Foundation; Oral contraceptives and cancer risk. National Cancer Institute. How much are you able to spend on birth control? Are you okay with your sexual partner s knowing that you are using birth control? How often to do you want to use birth control?

I would like my birth control to be ongoing, not just each time I have vaginal sex. It doesn't matter to me. Do you have somewhere that you are comfortable storing your birth control? Note: Some forms of birth control have packaging. If you are concerned about nosy family or friends, you will want to keep these packages safely stored away from others.

Are you okay with avoiding vaginal sex during certain times in your menstrual cycle to avoid pregnancy? You may want to use a method that you only need to use when you have sex, such as the male or female condom, or you may prefer a method that you need to take every day, such as the pill.

Or you may want to consider methods like the patch, injection or implant, which you do not need to use every day or each time you have sex. Once you have looked at the list, ask your GP or a doctor or nurse at your local clinic for more details.

The contraceptive injection can be given 1 of 2 ways: either by an intramuscular injection into the buttock, or as a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen.

The subcutaneous injection can be given by a health professional, or you can be shown how to inject it yourself. If you'd like a method that's longer term and you do not mind a health professional putting a contraceptive into your uterus through your vagina, you could consider using:.

Some contraceptives can affect your periods. Some may make your periods lighter or more infrequent. Others may make your periods heavier or more irregular. Smokers can use most types of contraception. But if you're a smoker and over 35 years old, some contraceptives such as the combined pill, patch or the vaginal ring might not be suitable for you.

Find out how to stop smoking. Your weight will not affect most types of contraception, and most contraception will not make you put on weight. But the contraceptive injection has been linked to a small amount of weight gain if used for 2 years or more. Find out how to lose weight. Some contraceptives work by using hormones that are similar to the hormones women produce naturally. These hormones are oestrogen and progestogen. Contraceptives that contain these hormones aren't suitable for some women, such as those who have medical conditions like breast cancer.

If you cannot use contraceptives that contain oestrogen, there are plenty of other options, including:. Some contraceptives can be affected if you're taking other medicines, but there are plenty of options. All methods of contraception can be stopped if you want to have a baby. You can get pregnant as soon as you stop using contraception.

A woman's fertility usually returns to normal within the first month after stopping the combined pill , vaginal ring or contraceptive patch.