Choosing the Right Hormonal Contraceptive to Use

For most women, choosing the right contraceptive can be difficult. There are a lot of factors that come to play. For most women, the hormonal contraceptive method is a popular choice. But if you think about it, this method alone has many different kinds.

In general, hormonal contraceptives make use of synthetic versions of a woman's natural sex hormone estrogen and progesterone to make subtle changes in a the uterine and vaginal environment which makes it relatively impossible to conceive.

So how does one decide on which hormonal contraceptive product to use? The best way is to understand the difference between the 5 most commonly used hormonal contraceptive products.

Let's start with the Nuva Ring. This product is a flexible ring that is placed in the vagina for three weeks. While it is inside, it slowly releases low doses of estrogen and progestin. It's great for women who frequently forget to take their daily pills. The only thing about it is that some women complain of discomfort from feeling the ring inside their vagina.

Next up, we have the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD). The T-shaped device is inserted into the uterus. Once inside, it, too, releases minute amounts of levenogestrel to keep a woman protected for as long as 5 years. This is great for women who do not with to have children in the near future. The only drawback is that it can be quite difficult to insert in women who haven't had children.

Injectable contraceptives are shots that contain progestin which is supposed to be taken quarterly to ensure protection against pregnancy for 3 months. This is great for women who experience severe PMS or have heavy flow because it may result in little to no menstruation. The only potential problem with it is that it could possibly lead to calcium loss, initial spotting, and breakthrough bleeding.

Oral contraceptive pills are little pills that may contain a combination of estrogen and progestin, or progestin only. This works great for women who are conscious enough to keep taking their daily pills on time. This is great for people who suffer from acne or heavy periods. The only drawback is that it could cause possible breakthrough bleeding.

Of course these are just basic information regarding the different hormonal contraceptives. To have a more in-depth idea about which of these will work best for you, it would be best to seek the assistance of a licensed health professional.