Pill, patch, ring, shot?  Lots of terms, but one basic concept: this category of BC uses hormones to trick a woman’s body into not getting pregnant.  How? By making sure that no egg is released from the ovary or that the cervix prevents the sperm from reaching the egg.  Hormonal methods are great for preventing pregnancy, but do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Click a question to compare methods. Or, read up on a specific method by clicking the boxes below.