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Contraceptive Pill Alternatives

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Contraceptive Pill Alternatives key facts

Daniel Cheung NowPatientGreen tick
Created on 5 Jun 2024
Updated on 16 Jul 2024

Contraceptive pills may not be suitable for you and with so many different types of contraception out there, it’s important to understand what your choices are. Here, we’ll take a look at the different types of birth control out there, and what you should consider when choosing a contraception method that’s right for you.

What are my options for birth control?

Barrier methods

This method prevents the sperm from coming into contact with the egg. These include:

  • Male condoms, also known as external condoms
  • Female condoms, also known as internal condom
  • Diaphragms
  • Cervical caps

These contraceptives are available over-the-counter from supermarkets, pharmacies, and sexual health centres. Barrier contraceptives will also provide protection from STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

Hormonal methods

Hormone treatment prevents ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries), thickens cervical mucus to slow the movement of sperm, and thins the uterus lining, preventing implantation of the egg. Hormone methods include:

  • Birth control pills
  • Vaginal rings
  • Patches
  • Contraceptive injections (Depo-Provera)
  • Long-acting hormones such as the ParaGard (copper IUD), Mirena (hormonal IUDs), and Nexplanon (contraceptive implant)

Sterilisation

This is an irreversible surgical procedure. Women undergo tubal ligation of the fallopian tubes, while men will have a vasectomy.

Spermicide or vaginal gel

Spermicides are available as gels, creams, foams, or suppositories. This is a non-hormonal option that slows down the movement or kills sperm. Another non-hormonal option is vaginal pH regulator gel, which also helps stop sperm from reaching eggs. Both spermicides and the vaginal gel are inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse.

Fertility awareness methods (Natural family planning)

This form of birth control involves monitoring your menstrual cycle. Here, you will avoid sexual intercourse when you are at your most fertile. You will need to check your cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and other signs of fertility. This can be an effective method but will require you to monitor your cycle closely.

Withdrawal method

With the withdrawal method, your partner will need to pull his penis out from your vagina before he ejaculates. This is not a reliable method, as sperm may be present in the pre-ejaculate or your partner may not pull out in time.

Emergency contraception/morning-after pill

Emergency contraception can be used to prevent unwanted pregnancies when contraceptives fail or after unprotected sex. There are a number of options available, such as One-Step and Ella-One. You shouldn’t use emergency oral contraceptive pills regularly. Also, they will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

Factors to think about when choosing birth control

Effectiveness

IUDs (small T-shaped devices) and implants, have higher success rates as they are long-acting and have less chance of being used incorrectly.

Reversibility

Think about whether you will want to start a family in the near future. Short-acting and barrier methods will give you more flexibility, can be easily stopped and are reversible.

IUDs and implants will provide you with contraception for longer, but you may need a healthcare provider to remove them for you. Also, sterilization is a permanent procedure and should only be used as an option if you are 100% certain you will not want to have children in the future.

Religious beliefs

Some types of birth control, such as intrauterine devices or hormonal contraception, may not be acceptable because of your religious beliefs. You should choose an option that does not conflict with your personal thoughts and feelings.

Convenience

Think about the convenience of the birth control method you are planning to use. Think about your lifestyle and whether you will be able to follow a strict plan.

Side effects

Hormonal methods, such as the pill may affect your menstrual cycle, and cause breast tenderness and mood swings. Barrier methods or fertility awareness will have few to no side effects, but are not as reliable. Discuss any medical conditions you may have with your healthcare provider before starting treatment, to find the best form of contraception for you.

Partner acceptance

Speak to your sexual partner when choosing your birth control, to find a method that is right for both of you. Agreement and support from your partner will help you make the best choice.

NuvaRing

NuvaRing is a prescription-only birth control vaginal ring similar to the combined pill in that it releases a combination of hormones into the body that suppresses ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus.

How does NuvaRing work?

You insert the Nuvaring into your vagina, leaving it in place for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, remove the ring, take a 1-week break, and then insert a new ring to start a new cycle. Nuvaring is a convenient option as it only needs to be inserted once every 3 weeks.

Common side effects of Nuvaring

NuvaRing side effects are typically mild and tend to improve over time. Common side effects include:

  • Irritation inside the vagina
  • Headaches
  • Changes in mood
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Weight gain
  • Breast pain, discomfort, or tenderness
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Acne
  • Decreased sexual desire

Speak to your doctor for medical advice if you experience any long-term side effects.

Evra

The Evra Patch is a convenient and effective method for women wanting to prevent pregnancy. This patch contains a combination of a progestin called norelgestromin and an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol.

How does the Evra work?

The Evra Patch delivers a continuous dose of hormones through the skin. The patch is applied once a week, releasing norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol into your blood. Together they prevent ovulation, thicken the cervical mucus and thin the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation of the egg.

Common side effects of Evra

Common side effects include:

  • Skin irritation at the application site
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Bloating
  • Breast tenderness
  • Swelling of the ankles and/or feet
  • Changes in weight
  • Spotting or breakthrough bleeding between periods

Serious side effects of Evra

Serious side effects include:

  • Lumps in the breast
  • Mood changes
  • Severe stomach or abdominal pain
  • Unusual changes in vaginal bleeding
  • Dark urine and yellowing of the eyes or skin, indicating liver problems
  • Blood clots
  • Allergic reactions

Not everyone will experience these side effects, and many women using Evra do not have any significant side effects, however, speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about side effects caused by Evra.

Sayana Press

Sayana Press is a contraceptive injection offering a more convenient and effective method of birth control.

How does Sayana Press work?

Sayana Press releases progestogen into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. Progestogen prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix. Sayana Press also thins the lining of the womb, making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant itself in the wall of the uterus.

Common side effects of Sayana Press

These include changes in your menstrual cycle, irregular bleeding, heavier or lighter periods, changes in your weight, infections at the injection site and allergic reactions. If you do notice signs of an infection or an allergic reaction speak to a healthcare professional for medical attention immediately.

Making an informed decision

By understanding the options available to you, you will be able to make well-informed decisions about which birth control method is best for you.

Speak to your doctor or nurse at the family planning clinic about your options. They’ll be able to give you everything you need to know to make the right choice.

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Service Guide

Everything you need to know about Getting Treated Privately for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives

What does the Get Treated Privately service for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives do?

The Get Treated Privately service is a private prescribing service which is designed for adults aged 18 years and over, who are experiencing health issues and who would like to receive a fast-track assessment and if applicable, a treatment plan from a qualified prescribing clinician. Treatments for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives are dispensed and delivered to your home or workplace from our regulated online pharmacy.

Is this a safe Contraceptive Pill Alternatives prescribing service?

Yes. Our formulary of medications prescribed for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives are controlled, governed, and continuously risk-assessed by our Medical Director, Dr. Aseel Hamoud. Unlike other prescribing services which operate using faceless questionnaires, our Contraceptive Pill Alternatives prescribing service is conducted through remote video consultations, also known as synchronous consultations. This builds patient safety and prescribing appropriateness into our service, ensuring our prescribing clinicians can be satisfied with who and what they are treating. There is no guarantee of supply of medications, and any prescriptions supplied are at the sole discretion of our clinician prescriber. There is no charge for the Contraceptive Pill Alternatives consultation.

What is a prescribing clinician and is it safe for me to use them on the NowPatient platform?

Our prescribing clinicians are board-certified pharmacists, nurses, or doctors who can also prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, subject to accepted accreditation and good clinical practice. They are all registered with their respective regulatory bodies. For example, a pharmacist independent prescriber is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Each prescribing clinician undergoes an extensive background check including a disclosure and barring service check (DBS). In addition, they undergo a rigorous license verification process. When you book an appointment with our prescribing clinicians you will see their full name, license number, and any specialized credentials they have.

Is the service available worldwide?

Yes, you can get treated privately for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives worldwide.

Do I need to pay for this service?

Yes. This is a private service. You do not need to pay for the consultation. You only pay for the cost of the Contraceptive Pill Alternatives treatment that you are prescribed.

How do I book a consultation?

Once you have logged into your account, you will need to navigate to the Get Treated Privately service card which is located as a service item on the dashboard.

Using the action button on the service card, you can select one of the following – ‘Search Treatments’ or ‘Search Conditions’. From here you can search for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives.

Depending on the search type and the product/condition that you would like to get treated, you will be taken to a consultation booking screen. Follow the simple steps to complete your booking. During the booking confirmation, you will be able to select a date and time that is convenient for you, along with the preferred language and gender of the prescribing clinician you wish to choose. You will then see a list of all available expert clinicians who are trained to assess the medication or condition chosen. Once you have confirmed your booking, you will see a summary of the appointment including preliminary information about the consultation. At this point, you will also be able to add a reminder to your calendar. Always ensure your account health profile is up to date before any consultation. This ensures that our clinicians have the most up-to-date information about your current health status and anything that may influence their prescribing decisions. You will receive a push notification, SMS notification and email reminding you of your consultation, 30 minutes before the virtual consultation is due to start.

Depending on certain medications which require our clinicians to have your up-to-date blood pressure readings, you may be required to submit a virtual blood pressure check, using your smartphone or device. We will provide you with full instructions, when this is required.

What happens during the remote video consultation?

During the consultation, the clinician will ask you a series of questions that will allow the clinician to assess your condition and potential treatment options for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives. At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide which treatment options are safe and suitable option for you.

If it is, the clinician will discuss the treatment option, so that you can jointly agree on the treatment plan. Once you have jointly agreed on a treatment plan, the clinician will issue a prescription treatment for your Contraceptive Pill Alternatives which will be available in your Cart at the end of the consultation.

Also, with your consent, the clinician may wish to inform your doctor of the treatment that was prescribed. We recommend that you agree to this since your doctor is responsible for your overall care and they should have a record of this consultation and medication prescribed. In addition, our clinician may take the opportunity to advise you on your overall health including advice on healthy living or stop smoking.

What happens at the end of the Contraceptive Pill Alternatives consultation?

At the end of the consultation, you will receive a notification which will summarise the outcome. It will also advise you if any referrals were made to your doctor, along with any other advice that was given to you by the clinician.

If a referral letter was issued to your doctor, you will be able to view a copy of this in the ‘Documents’ section of the dashboard.

If you were prescribed a treatment, it will now be available in your Cart.

When you go to your Cart, you will be able to select the treatment, checkout and make payment. Once the checkout is complete, your prescription order will be sent to our regulated online pharmacy for processing.

What if the prescriber does not prescribe a treatment for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives?

We operate a safe prescribing service. This means that our prescribing clinicians always exercise their clinical judgment when prescribing . Unfortunately, we do not operate a self select service where you can choose a medication and simply buy. If the clinician that sees you does not prescribe anything, then you will not be charged.

Will I get status updates for my order?

Yes. When your Contraceptive Pill Alternatives treatment is approved, and after you have checked out and paid for your order, we will keep you fully updated with the status of your order. Every time the status of your order changes, you will be notified immediately. These notifications will appear in the ‘Notification Feed’ section on the dashboard.

How will my Contraceptive Pill Alternatives treatment be delivered?

All orders are shipped in discreet and unmarked packaging. This means it is suitable for delivery wherever you require (home, work, or a neighbour).

For thermo-sensitive orders (e.g. Insulin or weight loss injections) we use cold chain-validated packaging. Your parcel will normally receive an estimated delivery window from the courier on the day of delivery.

For your protection and safety, your first order can only be delivered to the address that is registered with NowPatient. Future orders can be delivered to any other address, for example, your workplace.

Do you ship cold-chain or temperature sensitive products?

Yes. We use a specialist courier service for all thermo-sensitive deliveries. This is to ensure that cold chain integrity is always maintained and thus the product quality, safety and efficacy.

Learn more about how we handle the delivery of temperature sensitive products.

Where do you deliver?

We currently deliver to all postcodes/zipcodes worldwide. Some postcodes in rural areas may have a slightly longer delivery time.

When will my order arrive?

We aim to ship all orders placed Monday – Friday before 3pm on the same day. Orders placed outside these times will be shipped the next working day. All deliveries are shipped by Royal Mail, which delivers Monday through Saturday in the UK. For deliveries outside of the UK, please check with your national postal service for accurate delivery days.

Our delivery options have the following delivery times:

  • UK – Royal Mail Tracked 24 & Signed for Delivery – Next day delivery
  • Europe – Royal Mail Tracked – Typical delivery of 3-5 working days
  • Worldwide – Royal Mail – Typical delivery of 5-7 working days. If a tracked option is available for your country via Royal Mail, this service will be applied.

What should I do if my order has not arrived?

Delivery is normally made promptly after your dispatch notification is received. You can check the tracking details of your Contraceptive Pill Alternatives order in the ‘Notification Feed’ section of the dashboard, at any point after dispatch.

Unfortunately, packages can sometimes get lost in the delivery system. If after 10 days you have not received your delivery, please contact us and we will do all we can to resolve the problem.

Can you prescribe GLP-1 weight loss injections?

Yes. However, with GLP-1 weight loss medications, the license requires that there are support resources put in place as part of the plan including coaching for a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and diet. Our clinicians will discuss this with you, if you are prescribed this type of treatment.

You can learn more on our Weight Loss Programs feature page.

What’s included with my order?

If you are ordering a treatment for Contraceptive Pill Alternatives, your order will contain your medication only.

If you are ordering weight loss injections, your order will contain:

  • Your prescription of pre-filled weight loss injection pens
  • Needles
  • Sharps bin for safe disposal of needles (if ordered as part of the bundle)

Can I reorder my medication, if I have already been prescribed a course?

Yes. However, as a responsible prescribing service, we do not issue more than one monthly cycle of medication at a time.

This means that, if you would like to reorder, you will need to rebook a consultation.

This is important, because it allows our clinicians to keep track on the progress of your treatment plan and ensure that the medication remains safe and effective for you.

What is the earliest I can reorder my medication or treatment?

14 days after you have received your first monthly supply of medication, we will send you a notification to advise you that you are eligible to reorder your medication. To ensure that we are able to safely prescribe the Contraceptive Pill Alternatives medication for the next supply, you will need to rebook a consultation.

This ensures that our clinician can check in on your treatment plan and ensure it is working as intended and continues to be safe, suitable and appropriate for you.

How do I reorder my Contraceptive Pill Alternatives?

When you are eligible to reorder your next Contraceptive Pill Alternatives prescription, we will send you a notification reminder. This notification reminder will request that you book a consultation with a NowPatient Clinician.

You should book a suitable time and date for the consultation.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician may advise you to either

  • Stop the treatment
  • Stay on the current dose
  • Increase the dose

If our clinician deems it safe for you to continue the medication used to treat Contraceptive Pill Alternatives, the prescription will be added to your cart, from where you can checkout.

Delivery will be made in line with our delivery timescales.

As a responsible prescribing service, we will always monitor your Contraceptive Pill Alternatives treatment plan to ensure that it remains safe, effective and suitable for you.

How do I reorder weight loss medication?

Our weight loss programs are built to closely monitor treatment progress and safety. Please refer to the Weight Loss Programs Service Guide that explains how you can reorder or step edit your dose.

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