224 Family Planning
New
Methods of
Family
Planning
Choosing
the Best
Method
The following new methods of family planning are available
or are being developed. They may only be available in some
places and may be expensive. We include them here because
the more women know about new methods and ask for them,
the more likely it is that the methods will become available for
everyone and perhaps be less costly. The more methods there
are, the more likely it is that every woman who wants to prevent
pregnancy will be able to find a method that suits her needs.
The patch is a thin piece of plastic that sticks to the skin
and releases both estrogen and progestin into the body. You
must put on a new patch once a week for 3 weeks in a row, then
no patch for 1 week (the week of your monthly bleeding). You
should not use the patch if you have any of the conditions listed
on pages 207, 208, or 209. The patch can have the same side
effects as combined pills.
Once-a-week birth control pills work by changing a
woman’s natural balance of estrogen, which prevents a fertilized
egg from attaching to the womb wall. The once-a-week pill is
less effective than regular daily birth control pills at preventing
pregnancy. Little is known about its side effects.
Vaginal rings slowly release estrogen and progestin, or just
progestin, into a woman’s vagina. Vaginal rings come in only one
size and a woman can put one in herself. They last from 1 month
to 1 year. You can get pregnant as soon as you stop using a ring.
The best family planning method is the one you are most
comfortable using. To choose the best method for you, it can
be helpful to think about your day-to-day life, your relationships,
concerns, needs, and desires. Whichever method you choose, it
is important to understand and follow the instructions for how
to use it effectively. Here are some ways to think about different
methods based on your personal needs.
I want to
keep having
normal monthly
bleeding.
I do not
want to
have to do
something
every day.
You might PREFER:
Barrier methods, IUD
You might AVOID:
Hormonal methods
You might PREFER:
Implants, injections, IUD
You might AVOID:
Combined pill, mini-pill,
any natural method
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012