Slide 1
Birth control pills without estrogen
Can’t take estrogen or prefer not to? Carefree. Here’s what you need to know about estrogen-free birth control pills.
Slide 2
Combined birth control pills
Combined birth control pills contain estrogen and progestins. But not everyone can take estrogen. This includes people who smoke or who have/have had:
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A blood clotting disorder
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Breast cancer
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Heart disease or stroke
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Migraine with aura
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Uncontrolled high blood pressure
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liver disease
Slide 3
Birth control pills without estrogen
If you can’t take estrogen or prefer not to, an option may be an estrogen-free pill that contains only progestin, a form of progesterone. These birth control pills are taken daily.
Slide 4
Estrogen-free pills have fewer side effects
Most side effects of combination pills are caused by estrogen. So, pills without it cause fewer problems. Even women who are breastfeeding may be able to take pills without estrogen. (If you’re breastfeeding, you should avoid estrogen because it can decrease your milk supply.)
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Progestin helps prevent pregnancy
A progestogen can prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs. But progestin works primarily by thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg and by thinning the uterine lining.
Slide 6
Age Matters With Oral Contraceptives
Although many older women can take combination pills, estrogen-free pills may be safer if you’re over 35 and smoke or have medical conditions that make taking estrogen risky, such as heart disease.
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Consistency is key
It is important to take non-estrogen birth control pills at the same time each day. Although you should do your best to take your non-estrogen birth control pill every day, some pills have a 3 hour window and a newer option has a 24 hour window if you forget.
Slide 8
More than just birth control
Non-estrogen birth control pills can help with several health issues. Many women take them to help manage:
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Abundant periods
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Endometriosis
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Premenstrual syndrome
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Anemia
Estrogen-free pills may also reduce the risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining), ovarian cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Slide 9
Birth control pills do not protect against STIs
Oral contraceptives, such as non-estrogen birth control pills, do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Using condoms is the best way to reduce your risk of getting STIs.
Slide 10
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about your birth control needs and what is best for you.
This resource was created with financial support from Exeltis, USA.
