The birth control pill, patch, and vaginal ring are all combined hormonal birth control methods, meaning they contain both estrogen and progestin. They work in similar ways to prevent pregnancy, but differ in how you use them and how often you need to remember them.
These methods can also make periods lighter, more predictable, and less painful, and they can be used to skip or reduce the number of periods you have.
There are many different birth control pill formulations available. They vary in the type and dose of estrogen and progestin they contain, which can affect bleeding patterns, acne, mood, and other side effects. Lower-dose pills may be a good fit for some patients, while slightly higher estrogen doses may provide better bleeding control.
Finding the pill that works best for you can sometimes take a little trial and error. If you're having side effects or aren't happy with your current pill, that doesn't necessarily mean birth control pills aren't a good option for you. A different formulation may be a better fit.
Below are a few options with unique features that I commonly discuss with patients.
Nextellis (contains a newer type of estrogen called estetrol)
Yaz (may be helpful with acne and PMS)
Lo Loestin (very low dose estrogen, some patients have very light or no periods)
Femlyv (chewable, mint flavored birth control pill)