Birth control pills, skin patches, and vaginal rings contain estrogen and progestin. There are also progestin-only birth control pills, implants (such as Nexplanon), and shots (such as Depo-Provera). Hormonal methods of birth control prevent eggs from being released from the ovaries, thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus, and thin the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation.

Hormone pills come in packs. Most packs contain 3 weeks of hormone pills. During the fourth week, when you do not receive hormones, you have a menstrual period. Some packs of pills have hormone pills for the fourth week instead of sugar pills (non-hormone pills). Taking hormones for the entire month eliminates or reduces the number of periods you have.

The hormone patch releases estrogen and progestin through your skin for 7 days. Over a 4-week period, you use 1 patch per week for 3 weeks, then no patch for 1 week. During this week, you have a menstrual period. You can wear the patch on your lower abdomen, upper torso (not breasts), buttocks, or upper arm.

The hormone vaginal ring is placed in the vagina for 3 weeks. This gives you continuous birth control for the month. On the first day of the fourth week, you remove the ring. You then have a menstrual period. The exact position of the ring in the vagina is not critical for the ring to work.

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, plastic, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs contain copper or the hormone levonorgestrel (LNg). Plastic strings tied to the end of the IUD hang down through the opening of the uterus (cervix) into the vagina.

Barrier methods keep sperm from entering the uterus and reaching the egg. In general, barrier methods are less effective but have fewer side effects than hormonal methods or IUDs.

Barrier methods include condoms (male and female), diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges.

A male condom is a thin, flexible tube of latex rubber, polyurethane, or sheep intestine that has a closed end. The condom is placed over the erect penis before intercourse.

A female condom is a tube of soft plastic (polyurethane) with a closed end. Each end has a ring or rim. The ring at the closed end is inserted deep into the vagina over the cervix, like a diaphragm, to hold the tube in place. The ring at the open end remains outside the opening of the vagina.

A diaphragm is a round, dome-shaped device made of rubber or silicone with a firm, flexible rim. It fits inside the vagina and covers the cervix, the opening of the uterus. It should always be used with a sperm-killing jelly (spermicide). Diaphragms are not widely available in Canada. Buying the necessary spermicidal jelly to use with the diaphragm is difficult.

A cervical cap is made of rubber and shaped like a large thimble. It fits tightly over the cervix and is used with a spermicide. Cervical caps are not widely available in Canada. Buying the necessary spermicidal jelly to use with the cervical cap is difficult.

A contraceptive sponge contains a spermicide, nonoxynol-9, that is released over the 24 hours that the sponge may be left in the vagina. The sponge also blocks the cervix so sperm can't pass.