Birth Control Explained: Types of Pills, Side Effects & Options

Birth control should help you enjoy sex with less worry, not give you a second job remembering pills, tracking periods, and Googling every new symptom at 2 a.m.

There are several ways to prevent pregnancy, from daily pills and condoms to implants, IUDs, and permanent procedures. But the options aren't evenly distributed. People who can become pregnant have far more choices than people who produce sperm. Here's what the main methods do, how they compare, and what to know before choosing one.

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How Many Types of Birth Control Are There?

There isn't one universally agreed number. Birth control methods are usually grouped into a few broad categories.

Hormonal methods include pills, implants, injections, patches, and vaginal rings.
Intrauterine devices include hormonal IUDs and non-hormonal copper IUDs.
Barrier methods include external and internal condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps.
Fertility-awareness methods involve tracking fertile days and avoiding unprotected sex during that
window. Permanent contraception includes vasectomy and tubal surgery.
And then there are other methods like withdrawal and spermicides.

Emergency contraception is another option after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, but it isn't meant to replace regular contraception. The right choice depends on effectiveness, side effects, convenience, cost, your medical history, and whether you want children in the future.

Birth Control Pills: How Many Types Are There?

There are two main types of birth control pills: combination pills and progestin-only pills. Each has different formulations, doses, and schedules.

1. Combination pills contain two hormones

Estrogen and progestin. They mainly prevent ovulation, meaning the ovaries don't release an egg. They also thicken cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg. On the plus side, they can make periods more predictable, lighter, and less painful. They may help with acne and some menstrual symptoms, and some regimens allow fewer periods or no scheduled monthly bleeding. The not-so-good? You need to remember to take them regularly. Spotting, nausea, headaches, or breast tenderness can occur, especially at first. They slightly increase the risk of blood clots and aren't suitable for everyone. Certain health conditions, including migraine with aura, can make estrogen-containing contraception unsafe. (WHO's oral contraceptive guide and the CDC's contraceptive guidance)

2. Progestin-only pills

Often called the mini-pill, contain progestin but no estrogen. They work mainly by thickening cervical mucus, and some formulations also reliably suppress ovulation. The good news is they can suit people who cannot use estrogen. They may be an option during breastfeeding, depending on individual circumstances, and they avoid the estrogen-related clot risk associated with combination pills. The not-so-good? Irregular bleeding or spotting is common. Timing matters, and how late you can take a pill without needing backup contraception depends on the formulation. Some people experience headaches, acne, breast tenderness, or other side effects. There are several formulations of mini-pills, so the instructions aren't identical for all of them.

What about extended-cycle pills? Some combination pills are designed to reduce the number of scheduled periods, while continuous regimens may be used to avoid them. These are different schedules or formulations, not an entirely separate third hormone category.

What are the pros and cons of taking the pill?

Potential benefits	Potential downsides
Effective when taken correctly	Daily routine; missed pills matter
Can improve cramps and bleeding	Spotting, nausea or headaches
Some formulations help acne	Mood or libido changes can occur in some people
Fertility generally returns quickly after stopping	Not suitable for everyone
Non-invasive and reversible	Doesn't protect against STIs

Does the pill make you gain weight? This is one of the most common concerns, and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Research has not found good evidence that combination pills cause significant weight gain on average. Individual experiences vary, and weight changes can have other causes. The contraceptive injection has a clearer association with weight gain in some users.

Does birth control affect your mood or sex drive? It can for some people, but not everyone. Research on mood and libido is mixed, and a change after starting contraception doesn't prove the pill caused it. If the change is persistent or affects your quality of life, talk to a healthcare professional about trying a different formulation or method.

Do you need to take the pill forever? No. You can generally stop taking it when you no longer need it, although pregnancy can become possible quickly. If you don't want to become pregnant, arrange another method before stopping. You don't normally need to take breaks simply to give your body a rest.

What Other Birth Control Options Are Available?

The pill is only one option, and it isn't the best one for someone who struggles with daily routines.

Method	How it works	Main trade-off
Implant	A small rod under the skin releases progestin	Very effective and long-lasting; irregular bleeding is common
Hormonal IUD	Releases progestin inside the uterus	Very effective; periods often become lighter
Copper IUD	Uses copper to prevent fertilization	Hormone-free and long-lasting; periods may become heavier or more painful
Injection	A hormone shot given on a schedule	Convenient, but may affect bleeding patterns and weight; fertility may take time to return
Patch	Hormones are absorbed through the skin	No daily pill, but requires regular replacement
Vaginal ring	Hormones are released through a ring placed in the vagina	Convenient for some; requires scheduled replacement
Condoms	Create a barrier that keeps sperm from entering the vagina	Must be used correctly every time; also help reduce STI risk
Fertility awareness	Tracks fertile days to avoid pregnancy	Requires consistent tracking and careful planning
Withdrawal	The penis is pulled out before ejaculation	Less reliable with typical use
Vasectomy or tubal surgery	Permanently blocks the route needed for fertilization	Intended as permanent contraception

With typical use, the contraceptive implant and IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Pills, patches, and rings are around 93% effective, while external condoms are around 87% effective. These are approximate first-year figures, not guarantees for any individual. (CDC — Contraception and Birth Control Methods)

Condoms are also important because most other contraceptive methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

What Birth Control Options Do Men Have?

Here's the frustrating part. Men currently have far fewer established options for controlling pregnancy risk themselves.

Condoms are reversible, widely available, and hormone-free. They help prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of many STIs. But they must be used correctly every time. Breakage, slipping, or putting one on too late can reduce protection.

Withdrawal, also called the pull-out method, involves the penis being withdrawn from the vagina before ejaculation. It costs nothing and requires no prescription, but timing isn't foolproof. With typical use, approximately one in five couples relying on withdrawal may experience a pregnancy within a year. It also provides no STI protection.

Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that blocks the tubes carrying sperm into semen. It's highly effective and intended to be permanent. It doesn't usually reduce testosterone, erections, sexual desire, or the ability to ejaculate. However, sperm can remain after the procedure, so another contraceptive method is needed until a follow-up semen test confirms it has worked.

What about the male birth control pill? As of October 2026, there is no approved male contraceptive pill available for routine use in the United States. Researchers are studying hormonal and non-hormonal options, but experimental methods are not the same as products you can safely buy and rely on today. (Planned Parenthood — Is there a male birth control pill? and National Library of Medicine — Male Contraception)

So yes, the options are still uneven. People who can become pregnant may face the physical burden of pregnancy and have more contraceptive choices, while men have relatively few established methods they can control themselves.

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GITMPLAYBOOK Advice

If you're figuring out birth control, the most important thing is to stop treating it like a test you have to pass. There's no perfect method. There's only the method that works for your body, your life, and your plans. Talk openly with your partner about responsibility, STI protection, and what happens if a method fails. If one option doesn't suit you, ask a healthcare professional about alternatives. You don't have to settle for side effects that make you miserable. And if you're a man reading this, don't assume contraception is someone else's job. Condoms work. Vasectomy works. Being a proactive partner works too.

The Bottom Line

Birth control isn't one-size-fits-all. The pill works well for many people, but it isn't the only option. Nobody should have to put up with side effects that make daily life miserable just because they think there's no alternative.

Talk openly with your partner about responsibility, STI protection, and what happens if a method fails. If one option doesn't suit you, ask a healthcare professional about alternatives. Good contraception isn't about finding the perfect method on paper. It's about finding one that works for your body, your life, and your plans.

Disclaimer: This article is for general education and does not constitute individual medical advice. A healthcare professional can help you choose a method based on your health history and circumstances.

References

World Health Organization (WHO). Oral Contraceptive Guide.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Contraception and Birth Control Methods.
Planned Parenthood. Is There a Male Birth Control Pill?
National Library of Medicine. Male Contraception.
Mayo Clinic. Combination Birth Control Pills: Benefits and Risks.
Cleveland Clinic. Progestin-Only Pills: How They Work and What to Expect.