For many women, it is easier to rely on a hormonal method of birth control rather than physical barriers, such as condoms. Hormonal contraceptives can be very effective if used correctly, and some do not require much attention. There are several different types of hormonal birth control that release the hormones in many differing ways.

First, arguably the most popular form of hormonal contraception--if not the most common type of birth control overall--is combination pills. These pills, which you must take at the same time every day, contain both synthetic estrogen and synthetic progestin in order to prevent pregnancy. They prohibit ovulation as well as cause other changes, such as thickening the cervical mucus, so that fertilization of an egg cannot occur. You take a pill each day for a certain number of days, then take placebos or no pills for the time that you are on your period.

Next, mini-pills are similar to combination pills in that you take them every day besides when you are on your period. Mini-pills only contain a synthetic progestin, so they care often called progestin-only pills, or POPs. POPs are slightly less effective than combination pills, yet they are safer for nursing mothers to use postpartum.

Additionally, some women do not want to have to take a pill every single day. Instead, they can use the hormone-releasing devices called the birth control patch, ring, or implant. Like the combination pill, the patch and the ring release both estrogen and progestin. You place a new patch on your body every week for three weeks, followed by a week of your period. The ring is inserted in your vagina, where it remains for three weeks followed by a week of menstruation. The implant only contains progestin, and it can be implanted in your arm to prevent pregnancy for up to three years.

Lastly, you can also receive birth control shots that each last up to three months. It contains only progestin, and you must be careful to have the shot exactly every twelve weeks. If you miss the dose by up to two weeks, you should consider backing up this method with another type of birth control, such as a condom.

Frustratingly, each of these hormonal birth control methods comes with their own side effects. The combination pills YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella have been linked with devastating blood clots and heart attacks. If you have suffered adverse health conditions due to taking YAZ, Yasmin, or Ocella, please contact a knowledgeable YAZ lawsuit attorney from Williams Kherkher today.