What Types of Birth Control Are There?

Sorting through all the different birth control options out there can be tough. Before you make your choice, make sure you’re up to speed on the many forms available and how they work:

How Does Birth Control Work?

There are many types of birth control out there, but at Nurx we specialize in hormonal birth control.

Condoms, diaphragms, sponges, and other forms of physical birth control prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Hormonal birth control prevents ovulation and keeps the egg from ever getting released in the first place.

What’s the Best Form of Birth Control?

Certain bodies and lifestyles work better with some forms of birth control than others. Of the methods we offer at Nurx, all are highly effective: When used perfectly, each of our options has a success rate of up to 99%.

Although hormonal birth control options are great in nearly all cases, using them correctly can require a bit of planning. Starting birth control can bring about all sorts of bodily changes, and whatever method you choose needs to be used regularly in order to work properly.

Whatever you’re looking for in a birth control method, we can help. Here is an overview of some of the different options we offer:

Birth control pills are the most popular method of hormonal birth control, and it’s easy to see why. The pill is small, cheap, highly effective, and has relatively few side effects.

While we offer a number of different pill brands, there are two main types of birth control pills to choose from: combination pills and minipills.

Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin and are the most widely used type of pill. Minipills, on the other hand, contain progestin alone. Minipills are recommended for anyone who is sensitive to estrogen, like those who are breastfeeding.

The combination pill must be taken every day in order to be effective, and the minipill has to be taken every day in the same three hour window. For this reason, birth control pills are great for people who can create a routine and stick to it completely.

Some people take birth control pills for reasons other than preventing pregnancy, such as reducing unwanted bleeding. Certain brands of the pill, such as Yaz, can even be used to treat mild forms of acne.

Birth control shots contain hormones, much like pills. They’re great choices for people who do not want to worry about forgetting a dose.

The Depo-subQ Provera X shot requires the least frequent use of any birth control method, with 12 to 13 weeks between injections. The shot can also help alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis.

Like the minipill, the shot contains no estrogen, making it a smart option for anyone who reacts poorly to doses of the hormone.

The transdermal contraceptive patch is worn on the skin and contains the same hormones found in other forms of birth control. It is small, easy to apply, and lasts for a week — making it one of the most hassle-free options out there.

While there is nothing dangerous or harmful about using the patch to stop your period, we don't recommend this in the long-term due to the higher levels of estrogen found in the patch.

People who don’t want to interfere with their cycle, for medical or personal reasons, might want to consider the patch as their preferred method of birth control.

NuvaRing is another hormone-based birth control option. It’s discrete and delivers maximum freedom for minimal maintenance.

Each ring lasts for four weeks, meaning it can be used for about a month prior to replacement. NuvaRings are small and flexible, ensuring that insertion is easy and pain-free.

Like the Xulane patch, NuvaRing gives you the choice of whether or not you want to have your period.