Birth control pills, the birth control patch, and the vaginal birth control ring are combined hormonal birth control methods. They contain two hormones: estrogen and progestin. 

Here’s a quick rundown of some pros and cons of using hormonal birth control methods.

Birth Control Pills
Success Rate with Typical Use: 91% to 93%

Pros

Cons
  • Very effective against pregnancy and the chance of pregnancy is very low as long as you take your pill every day.
  • Convenient, affordable, and effective if you follow schedule.
  • No interruption in sexual activity 
  • The hormones in the pill can help with painful, heavy, or irregular periods. It may cause lighter, more regular, and shorter menstrual periods. 
  • Helps to reduce menstrual cramps
  • Makes you less susceptible to ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, bone thinning, cysts in your breasts and ovaries, and anemia
  • Doesn’t protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections.)
  • Has to be used on a schedule. The pill needs to be taken correctly — every single day at the same time — to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
  • Can’t be used by women with having medical problems such as high blood pressure, liver disease, migraine, diabetes, and other serious heart ailments.
  • Can’t be used by women taking certain medications
  • Can occasionally cause side effects such as headache, nausea, sore breasts, increased appetite, and, very rarely, blood clots
  • Prescription needed

 

Hormonal Patch
Success Rate with Typical Use: 91% to 92%

Pros

Cons
  • Very effective against pregnancy.
  • The chance of pregnancy is very low if used as on schedule.
  • Can help with painful, heavy, or irregular periods. It may cause lighter, more regular, and shorter menstrual periods. 
  • Helps to reduce menstrual cramps 
  • Makes you less susceptible to ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, bone thinning, cysts in your breasts and ovaries, and anemia
  • Doesn’t protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections.)
  • Still needs condom protection to lower the risk of STIs
  • Can’t be used by women with having medical problems such as high blood pressure, liver disease, migraine, diabetes, and other serious heart ailments.
  • Can’t be used by women taking certain medications
  • Can occasionally cause side effects such as headache, nausea, sore breasts, and increased appetite.
  • Increased risk of blood clots
  • Prescription needed

 

Vaginal Hormonal Ring
Success Rate with Typical Use: 93% to 97%

Pros

Cons
  • Very effective against pregnancy and the chance of pregnancy is very low if used correctly.
  • Can help with painful, heavy, or irregular periods. It may cause lighter, more regular, and shorter menstrual periods. 
  • Helps to reduce menstrual cramps 
  • Makes you less susceptible to ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, bone thinning, cysts in your breasts and ovaries, and anemia
  • Doesn’t interrupt sexual activity
  • Doesn’t protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections.)
  • Still needs condom protection to lower the risk of STIs
  • Can’t be used by women with having medical problems such as high blood pressure, liver disease, migraine, diabetes, and other serious heart ailments.
  • Can’t be used by women taking certain medications
  • Can occasionally cause side effects such as headache, nausea, sore breasts, and increased appetite.
  • Increased risk of blood clots
  • Prescription needed

 

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