New Birth Control Options: What's Right for You?

If you're ready for new birth control options, start here.

A new wave of birth control pills, patches, and implants has hit the market in recent years -- offering women more types of birth control than ever before. While these birth control methods are certainly geared toward preventing pregnancy, they also give women more control over their reproductive cycles -- plus those less-than-lovely symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Today, women are choosing their birth control method based on lifestyle and health issues. After all, daily pills can't work if you forget to take them. Hormones are fine for some women, but not for all.

"What's good for one person isn't good for everybody," says Patti J. Ross, MD, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. "If you're a 35-year-old executive who travels on airplanes a lot, you're going to have different needs than a 16- or 17-year-old."

For some women, if it's possible -- and safe -- to cut back or even end their monthly periods, why not? If a birth control pill will clear up acne or ease bloating and cramping, then do it.

For a less-maintenance approach, think about the birth control patch (changed weekly) and the vaginal ring (changed monthly). For truly hands-free birth control, there's a new intrauterine device (IUD) and a birth control implant that require no attention for several years. Another implanted device offers an option to tubal ligation -- permanent sterilization without surgery. 

With each of these birth control methods, there are benefits and disadvantages -- and possible health risks. Of course, none of these types of birth control protects against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. Only the male condom accomplishes that.

To help you sort through your options, here are some facts.

Continuous Birth Control Pills: Lybrel, Seasonale, Seasonique

The Basics:

• 98%-99% effective if taken as directed.
• Must be taken daily as directed.

Benefits:

• Cycles are more predictable.
• Periods are lighter, shorter, less frequent.
• Choose your cycle: Lybrel brings on no periods a year, Seasonale or Seasonique bring on four periods a year.
• Relief from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or acne.
• Reduced risk of ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, benign breast cysts or lumps, and ovarian and endometrial cancer.

 Disadvantages:

• Increased risk of blood clots and cervical cancer.
• Side effects include unexpected bleeding and spotting.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, and certain sedatives and antibiotics can reduce effectiveness.
• Generally not prescribed for women who smoke, are over age 35, and have family (or personal) history of certain health problems. These include: blood clots; breast, uterine, or liver cancers; serious heart problems (like heart attack); and stroke.

Less PMS, Acne: Yasmin, Yaz

The Basics:

• 99% effective if taken as directed.
• Must be taken daily as directed.

Benefits:

• Monthly periods are more regular, lighter, shorter.
• Relief from severe PMS (called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD) and moderate acne.
• Reduced risk of ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, benign breast cysts or lumps, and ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Disadvantages:

• Increased risk of blood clots and cervical cancer.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, and certain sedatives and antibiotics can reduce effectiveness.
• Generally not prescribed for women who smoke, are over age 35, and have family (or personal) history of certain health problems. These include: blood clots; breast, uterine, or liver cancers; serious heart problems (like heart attack); and stroke.