The New Types of Birth Control

As technology and medical science advances, so too do the prescription medications used to treat and prevent conditions, pregnancy included. However some of these new types of birth control go beyond preventing pregnancy, allowing you to reduce the number of menstrual cycles you experience. For some who suffer from certain medical conditions such as epilepsy or anemia, these contraceptives are a welcome change. Knowing what's available and the side effects that accompany them will help you choose the right method for you.

Anya

If you would like to say goodbye to your period and the nagging side effects that accompany it, such as severe PMS or painful menstrual cramps, Anya, also known as Lybrel, may be the method of birth control for you. Introduced in 2009, it contains both estrogen and progestin, using them to prevent pregnancy just as the original pill does. The difference is there is no placebo pill to take. Every day of the year, the pill you take contains hormones; maintaining your hormone level helps suppress your menstrual cycle while effectively preventing pregnancy. According to the experts at Epigee.com, it is completely safe to take while the most common side effects being blood clots and breast cancer in women over the age of 35 who smoke.

Seasonale/Seasonique

Released in 2003, Seasonale is considered an extended oral contraceptive. You take a pill containing both estrogen and progestin everyday for 84 days (12 weeks), followed by seven days of inactive pills. It is during this time your menstrual cycle will begin. While taking Seasonale you will only have four menstrual cycles a year.

Seasonique, released in 2006, is similar to Seasonale in that you have your cycle once every three months. Active pills are taken for the same number of days (84), however during week 13, you will be taking a low-dose estrogen pill rather than an inactive pill. According to the experts at Mayo Clinic, this may help lessen the amount of bleeding or side effects you would normally experience.

Some women may experience the common side effects associated with the conventional birth control pill such as breast tenderness, mood swings, headaches, leg cramps and changes in weight.

Birth Control Patch

Also known as Ortho-Evra, the patch was introduced to the public in 2002 and works much the same way as the birth control pill, however there are additional benefits. Requiring a prescription, this square, 3/4 inch patch works to prevent pregnancy three different ways: it thickens the cervical mucus, preventing sperm from reaching the egg, it changes the lining of the uterus, preventing the egg from attaching and it prevents eggs from being released by the ovaries.

Unlike the pill, which you have to remember to take each day, the patch is worn for one week; you do need to change it the same day of every week. You can adhere it to your upper arm, torso, buttocks or stomach, and you wear the patches for three weeks and take a week off, allowing your menstrual cycle to begin. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the patch is more than 99 percent effective when worn and used consistently and correctly.

Its side effects are similar to that of the birth control pill, and includes additional side effects such as skin irritation at the site of the patch, nausea, vomiting, irregular menstrual cycles, bloating and slight weight gain.

As stated by the American Pregnancy Association, the FDA has warned that there is an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and blood clots due to the patch containing 60 percent more estrogen than the the pill. Therefore, you should call your doctor right away if you experience a yellowing of the skin (jaundice), chest pains or redness, swelling or pain in your legs.