Birth Control Information & Discounts

Save on Birth Control medications with the free discounts below.

The cost of birth control varies widely and can cost up to $50 a month for birth control pills and up to $1000 for an IUD. Don’t overpay for the pill when there are birth control discounts available! Claim your free coupons and discounts for the birth control of your choice and print it or receive it via SMS or e-mail. Also, sign up for a free birth control discount card by providing a mailing address on our Free Discount Card page.

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Birth Control Information & Discounts

General
Types of Medication
Side Effects

There are many types of birth control available today. The best birth control varies from person to person and depends on the needs of the individual or the couple considering its use. Types of birth control include birth control pills, IUDs, condoms, patches, injections, sponges, diaphragms, vaginal rings and emergency contraception. The cost of birth control varies depending on the type and brand.

Birth control works by either blocking sperm from entering the female reproductive system or by releasing a combination of estrogen and progesterone/progestin into the female body. This controlled release of hormones prevents ovulation, or the release of an egg into the fallopian tubes, thereby preventing pregnancy. Birth control effectiveness ranges from approximately 98%-99.8% with perfect use and around 75%-90% effective with less than perfect use. Birth control pills may also be used to treat acne and hormone conditions such as menopause, PMS and PMDD.

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills contain the hormone progesterone or the synthetic form progestin, or a combination of estrogen and progestin/progesterone. These female hormones prevent ovulation, prevent an egg from sticking to the uterine wall, and thicken cervical mucus to blog sperm cells in order to prevent pregnancy. Some pills may also prevent acne and regulate hormone conditions. Birth control pills are taken orally and schedules vary depending on the type of pill. Basic types of birth control pills are:

Monophasic: These birth control pills have the same amount of estrogen and progesterone in each active pill. This is the best birth control to help prevent sudden changes in mood or feelings caused by changing hormone levels.
Multiphasic: These birth control pills have changing levels of hormones that change like your natural hormone levels throughout the month. Each pill has different amounts of estrogen and progesterone depending on the day of the month. This helps to prevent unwanted side effects.
Progesterone-Only: These birth control pills contain only one hormone, progesterone, which prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus to blog sperm. These pills may cause less nausea, breast pain, weight gain and changes in mood than other types of birth control pills.
Low-Dose: This type of birth control contains lower amounts of estrogen and progesterone which may help avoid unwanted side effects. They are available in monophasic and multiphasic forms. This is the best birth control to help prevent blood clots and weight gain.
Extended Cycle: These birth control pills are taken every day for three months at a time to stop ovulation. This may lead to less frequent or missed periods. Bleeding may occur during the first 3 to 4 months of use. Bleeding should cease after the first few months. This is the best birth control to treat conditions of the uterus such as endometriosis.

IUDs

IUDs or intrauterine devices are the best birth control for those who will constantly forget to take the pill. They have a very low failure rate between 0.8% and 0.2%. IUDs only have to be inserted by your medical professional about once every 5 years. The 2 types of IUD birth control are:

Copper IUD: Copper IUDs have the lowest failure rate (around 0.2%). When the copper IUD is inserted into the uterus, it works by disrupting the mobility of sperm and damaging sperm cells so that they are unable to join with the egg. Copper IUDs may cause cramping and bleeding after insertion.

Progesterone IUD: Progesterone IUDs use the hormone progesterone rather than copper to prevent pregnancy. Once inserted into the uterus, progesterone works to prevent ovulation and may stop menstruation altogether. Unlike copper IUDs, progesterone IUDs reduce menstrual cramping and bleeding.

The Birth Control Patch

The birth control patch is applied to clean, dry skin on the upper arm, buttocks, abdomen or thigh. The hormones estrogen and progestin are then absorbed through the skin and released into the woman’s body. The patch should be applied one the first day of a woman’s menstrual cycle or on the first Sunday following the menstrual cycle. The patch should then be changed every 7 days and then removed during the week of menstruation. The patch can be highly effective as a birth control (0.3% failure rate) with perfect use. However, not changing the patch on time can result in a much higher failure rate.

The Birth Control Ring

The birth control ring is a contraceptive vaginal plastic ring which is placed inside the vagina once per month by the user. The ring releases a low dose of the hormones estrogen and progestin into the female body to prevent pregnancy. The ring must be removed at the beginning of the fourth week and then left out for one week to allow for menstruation. A new ring is then inserted after 7 seven days to begin the next cycle. The ring has a high success rate when used properly and is also good for those who are prone to forgetting daily dosages.

Birth Control Injection

Birth control injections are administered by a medical professional once every 12 weeks or 4 times per year. The injection is given in the abdomen, buttocks, thigh or upper arm. This contraceptive is immediately effective once it enters the blood stream and has a very low failure rate (.03%). The injection prevents pregnancy with the hormone progestin by stopping ovulation. Many women will stop having periods altogether with the use of this birth control injection.

Emergency Birth Control

Emergency contraception or the morning-after pill is available to women who think they might become pregnant after failing to use or improperly using regular birth control methods. It works by releasing Levonorgestrel into the female body to prevent ovulation. Emergency contraception pills are not to be confused with abortion pills. Emergency contraception pills are a type of birth control pill that prevent pregnancy within 5 days after sperm has entered the women’s reproductive system, and have an efficacy rate of around 87%. The morning after pill DOES NOT terminate pregnancy once conception has occurred. IUDs may also be used as a means of emergency contraception.

Birth control side effects vary depending on the type of contraception. Prescription birth controls present a higher risk of heart problems to smokers. Prescription birth control may be less effective while taking antibiotics and alternative methods of contraception should be used until the patient is off antibiotic treatment. Birth controls may increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots and high blood pressure. Bleeding or spotting may occur while taking some of these medications. Always talk to your doctor about side effects and monitor symptoms while taking these medications.

Birth Control Drug Information

Depo-Provera
Levonorgestrel
Mirena
NuvaRing
Ortho Evra
Seasonique
Tri-Sprintec

Depo-Provera Information

Depo-Provera is the most popular injectable birth control available on the market. It is called Medroxyprogesterone in its generic form. Depo-Provera may cause less nausea, breast pain, weight gain and changes in mood than other types of birth control methods because it is a progesterone-only birth control. Depo-Provera is injected once every 12 weeks by a health professional and may have many advantages including a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, decreased risk of iron deficiency anemia and a decreased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease among others. Search our site for birth control discounts up to 87% on Depo-Provera and up to 85% on Medroxyprogesterone.

Levonorgestrel Information

Levonorgestrel is an emergency contraception pill that can be used up to 5 days after sexual intercourse. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, tiredness and menstrual changes among others. A few brand names of Levonorgestrel include Ella and Prostinor. Check our site to obtain emergency birth control discounts on Levonorgestrel up to 75% off.

Mirena Information

Mirena is a progesterone IUD inserted into the vagina by a medical professional. It lasts up to 5 years and is very effective at preventing pregnancy. Mirena prevents pregnancy by releasing progesterone into the female reproductive system. Irregular periods and spotting may occur during the first few months of use. Check for birth control discounts on our site up to 82% on Mirena.

NuvaRing Information

NuvaRing is currently the only birth control ring legally available on the market. The patent on NuvaRing is set to expire in 2018. NuvaRing prevents pregnancy by releasing estrogen and progestin into the female body through the vagina. The ring should be inserted into the vagina at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and then removed during the fourth week of the cycle for menstruation. A new ring is then inserted the following week. NuvaRing is especially risky for those that are at high risk for blood clots. Check our site to obtain a birth control discount on NuvaRing up to 91%.

Ortho Evra Information

Ortho Evra is currently the only birth control patch legally available on the market. The Ortho Evra patent is set to expire at the end of 2015. This patch should be applied to the skin on the upper arm, buttocks, abdomen or thigh at the same time every week and then removed during the fourth week for menstruation. Ortho Evra prevents pregnancy by releasing a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin into the body. Check our site to obtain a birth control coupon for up to 90% off on the Ortho Evra birth control patch.

Seasonique Information

Seasonique is a birth control pill taken orally. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. This medicine is a progesterone and estrogen combination birth control pill. It works by preventing ovulation, thickening the mucus in the cervix, and changing the lining of the uterus to reduce the likelihood of implantation of a fertilized egg. Don’t forget to claim a birth control discount up to 90% off on Seasonique.

Tri-Sprintec Information

Tri-Sprintec is a birth control pill taken orally. It may also be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat symptoms of menopause, or treating conditions as determined by your doctor. This medicine is an estrogen and progestin combination. It works by increasing levels of estrogen and progesterone, which inhibits ovulation, changes the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from joining with the egg, and changes the endometrium (which reduces the likelihood of implantation of the fertilized egg). Don’t forget to print your birth control coupon for Tri-Sprintec or sign up to receive it via SMS or e-mail.