Are You Using The Right Birth Control?
Not only have new options popped up, but your needs may have shifted over time. Consider a new review in The Cochrane Library of the three most popular forms.
>Oral contraceptives Research shows that going on the pill lowers your risk
for ovarian and endometrial cancer. Although this method is virtually foolproof
with perfect use, the average user slips up on occasion, which explains
why 8 percent of women who have been on the pill for a year get pregnant.
>Transdermal patch This skin patch delivers a larger dose of estrogen into
the bloodstream than pills. As a result, women reported feeling more side
effects, such as breast tenderness. Users also have a greater chance of
developing blood clots, although the risk is low in healthy young women.
>Vaginal ring Inserted directly into the vagina, this doughnut–shaped ring
releases hormones for three weeks. Although users experienced some
vaginal irritation, they found this option to be more convenient than the pill.
