A Daily Pill Isn't for Everyone

Many women want to make their contraception less everyday

Nowadays our routines are a lot less...routine. Between family, friends, work, travel, and the countless ways we spend our free time, each day can be different from the last. It's no wonder that many women struggle to remember to take the pill every day, but there are plenty of alternatives out there.

How to break the daily rhythm

If you feel that taking a pill at the same time every day just isn't realistic for you, you're not alone. Here's a brief look at other routines that might suit your life a little better.

Weekly

The patch is a contraception method that you just need to remember to change once a week. It sticks to your skin and releases hormones into your body, and after 7 days you simply remove the old patch and replace it with a new one. After 3 weeks, you take a week without the patch, and then you start the routine again.

Monthly

The ring is a contraception method you only need to remember once a month. It is placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones locally, and you replace it with a new one after 4 weeks. The contraceptive injection has a similar routine – it is administered by your doctor or nurse every month or every 3 months, depending on the type. That's all there is to it.

Less Frequently

If you'd rather not have a daily, weekly, or monthly routine with your contraception, there are still options available to you. The hormonal coil and the contraceptive implant are both hormonal methods administered by your doctor or nurse. Once fitted, they keep working for up to 3 to 5 years. The copper coil works for even longer. This non-hormonal method can work for up to 5 to 10 years once fitted.

ALTERNATIVE CONTRACEPTION METHODS

Here’s more information about contraception methods that can help you break the daily routine of taking the pill:

THE IUS

A small, flexible T-shaped plastic frame that releases low levels of hormones. It is placed in your womb by a doctor.

View Method

THE IUD

A small, T-shaped plastic frame with a copper wire that is placed in your womb by a doctor.

View Method

THE IMPLANT

A small, flexible silicone rod that releases hormones. It is placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor.

View Method

THE INJECTION

A shot containing progestin that is effective for up to three months. It is administered by a doctor.

View Method

COMPARE METHODS

NEED ADVICE? SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

Seek out an appointment with your doctor or nurse for further support that is specific to you and your lifestyle.

Is It Okay?

CONSIDER THIS

It’s important to remember the pill does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections that can be shared during unprotected sex. As a form of birth control, the pill depends on perfect use to achieve 99% efficacy. Using a condom in addition to the pill will protect you from STIs and unplanned pregnancy.

LEARN MORE

CONSIDER THIS

The pill should be taken at the same time every day – a missed birth control pill can compromise your protection from unplanned pregnancy. If taking the pill at the same time every day doesn’t suit your lifestyle, it might be worth exploring other contraceptive methods.

USE MISSED BIRTH CONTROL PILL TOOL

TIRED OF THE DAILY ROUTINE?

Many women want to make their contraception less everyday

How to break the daily rhythm

Weekly

Monthly

Less Frequently

ALTERNATIVE CONTRACEPTION METHODS

THE IUS

THE IUD

THE IMPLANT

THE INJECTION

NEED ADVICE? SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

IS IT OK TO HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX ON THE PILL?

IS IT OK TO TAKE THE PILL AT A DIFFERENT TIME EVERY DAY?

IS IT OK TO WONDER ABOUT HOW HORMONES AFFECT MY BODY?

THE IUD

THE IUS

THE IMPLANT

THE INJECTION

THE RING

THE PATCH

THE DIAPHRAGM

THE FEMALE CONDOM

THE MALE CONDOM

THE SPONGE

SPERMICIDE

WITHDRAWAL

NATURAL PLANNING

THE PILL

MALE STERILIZATION

FEMALE STERILIZATION

TIRED OF THE DAILY ROUTINE?

Many women want to make their contraception less everyday

How to break the daily rhythm

Weekly

Monthly

Less Frequently

ALTERNATIVE CONTRACEPTION METHODS

THE IUS

THE IUD

THE IMPLANT

THE INJECTION

NEED ADVICE? SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

Is It Okay?

IS IT OK TO HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX ON THE PILL?

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IS IT OK TO TAKE THE PILL AT A DIFFERENT TIME EVERY DAY?

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IS IT OK TO WONDER ABOUT HOW HORMONES AFFECT MY BODY?

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KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

THE IUD

THE IUS

THE IMPLANT

THE INJECTION

THE RING

THE PATCH

THE DIAPHRAGM

THE FEMALE CONDOM

THE MALE CONDOM

THE SPONGE

SPERMICIDE

WITHDRAWAL

NATURAL PLANNING

THE PILL

MALE STERILIZATION

FEMALE STERILIZATION

CAN YOU RELATE?

RETHINK YOUR

CONTRACEPTION.