Birth control methods

Aside from the patch and the pill...what other birth control methods can I take that will reduce monthly cramps and stabalize my cycle?

Here are some hormonal methods which help regulate your period

• Progestin-Only Methods:
o Implants (Norplant®) (Not currently available in the U.S.) can be very effective and last for up to five years. Implanon is similar and is available outside the US

o The Shot (Depo-Provera®) A single injection that lasts for 13 weeks and is very effective. However, some women can have harsh side effects such as irregular bleeding and weight gain. Depo is the only method in which weight gain has proven to be a common side effect. In early 2005 the FDA required Depo to warn users of the possibility or irreversible bone loss and recommended using Depo for no more than 2 years unless it was the only choice.

o POPs (Progestin-only Birth Control Pills) Are very effective if used correctly. They have a much more stringent on-time requirement (+/- ½ hour) for taking them than do combined pills. POPs are usually used in conjunction with LAM for breastfeeding moms.

• The IUD (Intrauterine Device)The IUDs is a very effective and very low maintenance reversible long term contraceptive method.

o Copper IUDs: The ParaGard and Nova-T are IUDs with copper as the active contraceptive ingredient. The Nova-T (Canada) is effective for 2 ½ years. The ParaGard is effective for 8-10 years.

o Progestin IUD: The Mirena IUD continuously releases a tiny bit of progestin which will lighten and shorten periods of some users. The Mirena is effective for 5 years.

• Combined-Hormone Methods

o The Pill: There is a wide range of combined (estrogen/progestin) oral contraceptives with different dosages of hormones and different types of progestins. It must be taken at about the same time every day and the standard regimen is 21/7 with three weeks of active pills and one week without hormones for your period. There is a new extended cycle, 84/7, regimen becoming available that will reduce the number of periods for users to 4 per year. Almost all oral contraceptives today are ‘low dose’ pills with less than 50mcg of estrogen. It might take several tries with different pills to find one that works well for you.

o The Ring (NuvaRing® Is a vaginal ring worn for 3 weeks and removed for 1 for your period. NuvaRing has the lowest dose of estrogen (15 mcg) of any combined method available in the U.S.

o The Patch (Ortho Evra®) is a transdermal patch. Three patches are worn, one per week, for three weeks and then there is a patch-free week for your period. The patch is low maintenance and very effective but is less effective for users weighing more than 190 lbs.

Here are non-hormonal methods besides the obvious condom

Prescription Barrier Methods: Diaphragms and Cervical caps: A diaphragm or cervical cap must be fitted by a medical practitioner. It must be used with spermicide and used correctly for every act of IC to be effective.

o A diaphragm is soft rubber cup with a flexible spring rim. It is inserted in the vag*na with the dome covering and protecting the cervix and the front of the rim tucked into the notch behind the pubic bone. The fit should be rechecked annually or for every weight change of +/-7 lbs. Diaphragms are made of latex or silicone rubber and can be worn continuously for 24 hours.

o A cervical cap is a soft rubber thimble shaped cup that fits snugly over the cervix and is held in place by suction. The fit of a cap should be checked annually or for every weight change of +/-14 lbs.

o Recent cap designs that cling to the vaginal walls are: the Lea Barrier a one-size-fits-most device and FemCap that comes in three sizes and should be fitted by a medical practitioner. Both are made of silicone rubber and can be continuously worn for 48 hours. Many Planned Parenthood Health centers provide the Lea and FemCap.

o Caps for hard to fit women: (Not available in the U.S.) The Dumas cap and the Vimule cap are made to fit women with very short or very long cervices. Both are made of latex.