Female 1: You have certainly heard of the pill, but did you know that there are other hormonal methods of birth control that are just as effective?
Female 2: Hormonal birth control is extremely successful at preventing an unwanted pregnancy. But some women find taking daily oral contraception to be an inconvenience. For these people, other hormonal methods maybe useful, including the patch and the shot.
The shot which is more commonly known under its brand name Depo-Provera is an injection of hormones that prevents pregnancy. The Depo-Provera stops conception in several ways, mainly by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also thickens a women’s cervical mucous and reduces motility of the fallopian tubes making it less likely for a sperm to join an egg. In addition, the shot thins the lining of the uterus which may make it difficult for fertilized egg to implant and grow. A women using Depo-Provera receives the injection in a doctor’s office every 12 weeks. The shot is 97% effective and usually cause between US$30.00 and US$75.00 per injection. This is conjunction with the fact that Depo-Provera does not contain estrogen; a common ingredient in many hormonal methods makes it popular with the women who use it.
However, the use of the shot beyond two years is not advised as it is associated with bone density loss and osteoporosis. For this reason, some women may prefer a newer method of hormonal birth control, such as the patch.
The patch is a thin, beige colored device that adheres to a women’s skin like a Band Aid for a week at a time. After receiving a prescription for the patch, a woman will apply the sticky part to the skin of her buttocks, stomach, upper arm, or upper torso.
On the same day, a week later, the patch should be removed and replaced. This continues for three weeks with a one week break during which a woman has her period. This device works in the same manner as Depo-Provera. With correct use, the patch is more than 99% effective and is usually quite affordable at about US$30.00 per month.
However, women who are over 180 pounds or who have a body mass index greater than 30 may experience less success with this method. In addition, the patch is not recommended for people who take certain medications like those used to treat seizures.
In general, both the shot and the patch are quite effective and preventing pregnancy. However, neither offers protection against sexually transmitted diseases. If you are considering a hormonal method of birth control, carefully weigh your options and talk to your doctor about which maybe right for you.
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