BIRTH CONTROL PICTURE GALLERY

The upper female genital tract. Gray's Anatomy, 1918 ed.

The lower female genital tract Gray's Anatomy, 1918 ed.

Yasmin

Seasonale

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho NuvaRing

Ortho Evra

Depo-Provera

Implanon

GyneFix

Mirena

HELPFUL HANDOUTS

The average doctor's visits in the United States last about 15 minutes--too short a time for lengthy explanations or a lot of patient questions. To get the most out of the time spent in the doctor's office it helps to be prepared. A good way to do that: print out the Patient Handout, read it and write down any questions you might have, take the handout with you to your next appointment, and go over it with your health care professional.

What You Should Know About the Extended-Cycle Pill
Your doctor has just prescribed Seasonale to you, an extended-cycle (trimonthly) birth control pill brand. If the trimonthly regimen is new to you, you might have some questions. This handout answers some commonly asked questions about Seasonale.

Taking the Pill for Longer Than 3 Weeks At a Time
You can take the Pill for 6 weeks (42 two days or two pill packs), or 12 weeks (84 days or four pill packs), or longer; also, Sesonale is not the only Pill brand you can use for period control. This handout gives you an overview of taking the Pill for longer than 3 weeks.

Facts About Today's Low-Dose Pill
The Pill became available in 1957. This handout reviews the changes in the Pill over the past three decades, as well as its side effects.

Health Benefits of the Pill
You may have heard or read that Pill use is bad for you. The truth is that, in addition to being one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy, the Pill also offers a number of health benefits. Some of these health benefits are reviewed in this handout.

Common Questions and Answers About the Pill
Many women have heard rumors about the side effects of the Pill. This handout answers some of your questions about the Pill's side effects.

Using the Pill to Treat Medical Conditions
You can use the Pill for more than pregnancy protection. A few of the medical conditions helped by Pill use are detailed in this handout.

The Pill and Acne
Acne is a common condition affecting about 17 million Americans. Teenagers are most often affected--nearly 4 out of every 5 teens have acne. The Pill helps prevent acne from forming. This handout gives you the facts about acne and hormones.

Facts About the Progestin-Only Pill ("Minipill")
The "minipill" is different from the Pill in that it contains only one hormone, a synthetic progesterone (progestin). This handout summarizes the facts about the "minipill".

The Skin Patch (Ortho Evra)
Ortho Evra is a weekly hormonal birth control method, that could also be used for menstrual management. This handout discusses the use of the skin patch for pregnancy protection.

Facts About the Shot (Depo-Provera)
Depo-Provera is a birth control shot that prevents pregnancy for three months at a time. This handout reviews the main advantages and disadvantages of Depo-Provera.

The Hormone-Releasing Intrauterine Device or IUD (Mirena)
Mirena is a hormone-releasing IUD that can be used for both birth control and menstrual management. This handout summarizes the main features of the hormone-releasing IUD.

Facts About Breast Cancer and Hormones
Many myths surround the use of hormonal birth control, like the Pill, and its effect on breast cancer risk. This handout reviews the facts about breast cancer and various hormonal birth control methods.

Bone Strength and Hormonal Birth Control
More than 40 million Americans are at risk for brittle bones (osteoporosis), 80% of whom are women. If you are using a hormonal method of birth control, like the Pill, the skin patch, or the shot you might have questions about its impact on bone. This handout discusses the effect of these methods on bone strength. Also included, a list of recommended daily amounts and sources of nutrients important to bone strength.

NEWS OF INTEREST

Using the Pill might help women fight heart disease: Heart Disease Differs in Women

Pill Cuts Cancer, Coronary Risk

Benefits of Pill Use, ASRM Press Release

FACT SHEET

Iron Fact Sheet