Updated June 26, 2013.

Question: What is Hormonal Birth Control?

Though there are many types of effective contraception methods, hormonal birth control methods tend to have the lowest failure rates. Women also seem to prefer this type of birth control due to its convenience and ease of use. So what exactly is hormonal birth control?

Answer:

Hormonal birth control consist of contraceptive methods that contain synthetic forms of the hormones, estrogen and progestin.

These methods may contain both or these hormones or either one. Hormonal birth control must be prescribed by a doctor (since they do require some degree of medical supervision), so you will have to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your medical history and have your blood pressure checked. Many women prefer hormonal birth control methods because they are reversible; therefore, a woman can regain her fertility and become pregnant after stopping them.

These methods include:

• The Pill
  
  
• The Depo Provera Shot or Depo-subQ Provera 104 Injection
  
  
• The Ortho Evra Patch
  
  
• The NuvaRing
  
  
• Implanon
  
  
• Nexplanon
  
  
• Mirena IUD

There are some things, both positive and negative, to keep in mind with respect to hormonal contraception:

• Noncontraceptive Benefits of Hormonal Birth Control
• Can Hormonal Birth Control Increase Your Risk of VTE/Blood Clots?
• Obesity and Hormonal Contraception Effectiveness
• Can Women Use Hormonal Contraception After Age 40?
• Birth Control: My Answers to Your Hormone Birth Control FAQs

Back to Main Page: Hormonal Birth Control Questions