With birth control as with other areas of health and medicine, research is ongoing to develop newer and better options. Here are some of the latest advances.
Birth control patch: The birth control patch is a convenient alternative to the birth control pill. It is applied directly to the skin and is changed once or twice per week; it delivers the two hormones that are in regular birth control pills through the skin.
Contraceptive rings: Contraceptive rings are made of flexible plastic materials. They are inserted into the top of the vagina and held in place by the muscles there. A ring releases a low dose of hormones over a three-week period and gives a high rate of contraceptive protection.
Non-prescription emergency contraception: As discussed in "Emergency contraception," emergency contraception is available from your pharmacist without a doctor's prescription. The product is called Plan B® and consists of two tablets of a female hormone called levonorgesterol (a progesterone). Plan B must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex and is between 61% and 95% effective in preventing pregnancy, depending on when it is taken. Emergency contraception does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases and is not a reliable form of ongoing birth control.
Continuous birth control pills: For years, women have taken the birth control pill for extended periods in order to adjust the timing of their periods; for example, for their wedding day, honeymoon, or a special trip. Research into the safety of extended use of birth control pills has resulted in the introduction of a product in the United States. This product is taken for 84 days in a row, and then stopped for 7 days, causing a period. This process is repeated three more times, resulting in four menstrual periods a year.