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.
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.
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.
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.
Here’s more information about contraception methods that can help you break the daily routine of taking the pill:
A small, flexible T-shaped plastic frame that releases low levels of hormones. It is placed in your womb by a doctor.
A small, T-shaped plastic frame with a copper wire that is placed in your womb by a doctor.
A small, flexible silicone rod that releases hormones. It is placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor.
A shot containing progestin that is effective for up to three months. It is administered by a doctor.
Seek out an appointment with your doctor or nurse for further support that is specific to you and your lifestyle.
This approach is entirely self-directed, and requires a lot of planning and tracking. Those who wish to avoid unplanned pregnancy should use a hormone-free barrier method when ovulating, or if menstrual cycles are irregular. For protection from STIs, condoms must be used.
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