Advantages and disadvantages of hormonal birth control

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Advantages and disadvantages of hormonal birth control

The following table lists the advantages and disadvantages of using hormonal birth control methods.

**Deciding about hormonal birth control methods**
Consideration	Combination pills, skin patch, or vaginal ring (estrogen plus progestin)	Progestin-only pills
Advantages	No interruption of foreplay or intercourse Reduced bleeding and cramping with periods, which lowers the risk of anemia Fewer or no periods (with certain types of pill) Reduced pain during ovulation Reduced fibrocystic breast changes Reduced risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Reduced risk of ectopic pregnancy May reduce acne May reduce ovarian cysts May reduce symptoms of endometriosis May reduce bone density loss May protect against ovarian and endometrial cancer Can be used after an abortion	Do not contain estrogen, so do not cause any of the health risks related to estrogen use Reduced bleeding and cramping with periods
Disadvantages	Pills must be taken every day. Patches may not fully protect you from pregnancy if they are exposed to direct sun or high heat. This can release a high dose of hormone from the patch, which leaves less for the patch to release later in the week. May not be as effective when taken with certain medications May delay return of normal cycles May cost more than other methods if used for many years Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV Patches deliver more estrogen than low-dose birth control pills do. Some research has found that women using the patch are more likely to get dangerous blood clots in the legs and lungs. The risk may be higher if you smoke or have certain health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that you talk to your doctor about your risks before using the patch.	Must be taken at the same time each day Are less effective than combination pills Make diabetes more likely if you have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.^1,² (Combination estrogen-progestin birth control does not appear to increase this diabetes risk.)³ Cause more irregular periods or spotting between periods May delay return of normal cycles Do not reduce risk of ovarian cysts or ectopic pregnancy May not be as effective when taken with certain medications May cost more than other methods if used for many years Do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV

References

Citations
Kjos SL, et al. (1998). Contraception and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Latina women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus. JAMA, 280(6): 533–538.
Kahn HS, et al. (2003). Effects of injectable or implantable progestin-only contraceptives on insulin-glucose metabolism and diabetes risk. Diabetes Care, 26(1): 216–225.
Hatcher RA, Nelson A (2004). Combined hormonal contraceptive methods. In RA Hatcher et al., eds., Contraceptive Technology, 18th ed., pp. 391–460. New York: Ardent Media.

Credits

Author	Merrill Hayden
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	May 23, 2006

Last updated:	May 23, 2006
Author:	Merrill Hayden
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Terrina Vail

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