Oral contraceptive pills are taken every day of the month on a 28 day cycle.  The first 21 pills contain hormones which prevent menstruation.  The last 7 pills do not contain hormones.  This last week is when menstruation will occur.

 Orthoevra is a small patch that is worn on the skin and contains hormones that are absorbed through the skin and last for one week.  Three patches are worn for three weeks with no patch worn for the last week.  This is when menstruation will occur. 

The Nuvaring is a flexible ring that is placed in the vagina and contains enough hormones to last for three weeks.  The ring is removed for the fourth week.  This is when menstruation will occur. 

Deporovera is an injection that contains progesterone (a female hormone) that lasts for three months.  Injections are repeated every 12 weeks providing continuous contraception.  No menstruation occurs during the time that  depoprovera is administered. 

Implanon is a small plastic rod that is placed under the skin and contains a female hormone that is slowly absorbed into your body.  This provides contraception for up to three years.

The Essure is a stainless steel coil that is placed inside the uterus through the cervix and blocks the fallopian tubes. This requires no incisions but is performed under anethesia in the hospital as an outpatient. This form of contraception is permanent and is not reversible. Menstruation still occurs on your normal cycle.







A tubal ligation permanently blocks the fallopian tubes and is performed under anesthesia through an operation called laparoscopy. This hospital procedure is performed through the naval and requires a small incision. This form of contraception is permanent and is not reversible. Menstruation still occurs on your normal cycle.