• Cerazette® is a progestin only pill, that is taken every day of the year, and is more effective at preventing ovulation than other POP's. We've seen Christian doctors who think it does not allow ovulation when taken properly, but we'd like to see convincing evidence. Currently available in Western Europe, Brazil, Ecuador, Hong Kong, and Mexico.

• Yas® and Yasmin® are a COCs that deserve a few extra words. These pills contains a form of progestin that seems to have some unique effrects - both good and bad. Yasmin can reduce acne or excessive hair growth in women suffering from these conditions. On the down side, the form of progestin used in this pill may cause an increase in potassium levels, which could cause heart problems and other issues. Use of this pill may be unsafe for women who have had diseases of the liver, kidneys, or adrenal gland. Additionally, anecdotal evidence suggests that Yasmin may harm sex drive move than some other methods. Yasmin is available in the US, Australia and Europe.
• Three month pills are combination pills taken on a different schedule - a pill is taken daily for 12 weeks, then for one week an inactive pill or low dose estradiol pill is taken. In addition to providing contraception, this schedule reduces menstruation to four times a year. Prolonged use of "active" pills in this way should be even more effective at preventing ovulation than traditional pill schedules. The addition of low dose estradiol better suppresses egg development, meaning these pills would be less prone to breakthrough ovulation. Three month or 91 day pills include Jolessa®, LoSeasonique®, Lybrel®, Quasense®, Seasonale®, and Seasonique®, with Lybrel® and Seasonale® having low dose estradiol.
• Lybrel®, mentioned above, is the first continuous use pill – meaning it can be taken non-stop for years. Such use means no menstruation at all while the product is being used. There is ongoing debate about the possible medical benefits or problems that will come from long term use of a product that eliminates menstruation. To date no clear medical problems have been shown, but as with all new medical events it will take study of decades of use to know for sure if not menstruating is good, bad, or irrelevant.
While three month pills are failry new, such "continuous use" of pills is not. Other pills have been prescribed this way for some time, and a woman looking for fewer periods should discuss with her health care provider various ways of achieving this.

• Implants - Norplant®, Norplant II® (Jadelle®) & Implanon®: These consist of a rod or rods containing slow release progestin which are inserted under the skin. The steady flow of progestin prevents ovulation. Norplant, removed from the market in 2000, worked for 5 years. Norplant II, which is currently available, works for two years. Implanon works for three years. Some women experience prolonged periods, or spotting between periods, with these methods. Removal of the implant(s) results in a fairly rapid return of fertility. We've heard good things about Implanon from both medical personnel and users, and there is good evidence that no ovulation occurs with Implanon - other implants are less successful at preventing ovulation, and loss of fertilized eggs is likely. Implants are available in much of the developed world, but are less available in developing countries.
• Depo-Provera®: is an injection that is given every 12 weeks. It is intended to prevent ovulation and seems to be effective at doing so. If you are concerned about ovulation, talk to your medical provider about having it injected every 10 weeks. Fertility cannot be reestablished until the drug has left the woman's system, which can happen anywhere from immediately after not getting a scheduled shot to a full year. This method rates a high level of complaints from women who've used it, including problems with weight gain and significant loss of sex drive.
  Several studies have documented a loss of bone mineral density in long term users of Depo-Provera. The FDA has said Depo-Provera should be used by women only if other contraceptives prove inadequate. While recent studies1 suggest the loss may be fully reversible after the shots are discontinued, the FDA warning seems a wise precaution until there is definitive research on the issue.
• Nestorone® Implants are a new implant currently being developed. Nestorone is being specifically aimed at lactating women in developing countries. Non-lactating women experience prolonged and irregular bleeding with Nestorone. It seems likely that the method will not fully stop ovulation in non-lactating women.
• Combined Injectable Contraceptives: CIC's are injections that are given monthly. CIC's contains both estrogen and progestin, and it's likely that they are very effective at preventing ovulation - but we have not seen conclusive data yet. It has been suggested that these products may be safer for the user than COC's, and there is limited evidence supporting this. Currently available CIC's:
  • Lunelle® (also called Cyclofem®, Cyclofemina®, Feminena®, and Novafem®) does not seem to cause as much weight gain as Depro-Provera, and fertility normally returns more quickly (3-6 months). It is primarily available in Latin America and Asia. The FDA approved Lunelle, but it is not currently available in the US, having been withdrawn due to manufacturing concerns.
  • Mesigyna® (also called Norigynon) is widely available in Latin America and Asia, not currently available in Europe or North America.
  • Deladroxate® (also called Perlutal, Patectro, and Topaselused) is available in Latin American countries.
• NuvaRing®: A ring about two inches in diameter which is placed into the vagina and left in place for 21 days. The ring is held in place by the vaginal muscles, and is not felt by the women once in place. The ring continuously releases small amounts of synthetic estrogen and progestin into the woman's body, preventing ovulation. After 21 days the ring is removed to allow for a menstrual period. After a week a new ring is interested. Because hormones are released in a steady stream, this method is very effective at preventing ovulation. The low, steady dose of hormones may disrupt the woman's body less than the varying levels of hormones that come from daily pill use. This method may have less of an effect on sex drive, as the progestin avoids first-pass metabolism through the liver and therefore has less effect on the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. Some husbands say they can feel the ring during intercourse, while others do not. NuvaRing seems to be one of those methods a couple either loves or hates. The NuvaRing is currently available in the US, Europe, Brazil and Chile. The company plans to introduce the product in Australia and Canada in 2005. Company web site.
• Nestorone®: A new ring currently being developed, Nestorone will be good for 12 months. The ring will be worn for 3 weeks, then removed for one week to allow for menstruation, then reinserted. Not expected on the market before 2006 at the earliest.
• Progestin rings: There are currently two progestin only rings in development - Progering®, and an unnamed product. Progestin only rings have been found to be less effective than rings containing both progestin and synthetic estrogen, and because they greatly thin the uterine lining it is likely they can destroy a fertilized egg.
• Ortho Evra® (also called "the patch" or just Evra®): Really just a new way to get the same hormones into a woman's blood stream. The woman wears each 1¾ inch square patch for a week, three weeks in a row, followed by a week with no patch. The patch may have less effect on sex drive since the progestin avoids first-pass metabolism through the liver and therefore has less effect on the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. Based on data for other methods, the patch should result in effective suppression of ovulation, and prevent any fertilization - but at this time we are unaware of a study which directly shows this. Some users report more severe menstrual cramps and breast pain than pill users, but this is commonly only for the first cycle or two. The patch is not as effective for women over 200 pounds. Currently available in the US, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea. Company web site.
• Plan B® (also called levonorgestrel® or postinor-2®) is a hormonal method that is intended to be used after intercourse has occurred. The method has been widely condemned by Christians as causing destruction of fertilized and/or implanted eggs. There is growing scientific evidence that Plan B stops ovulation, but does not have any effect on a fertilized egg.²
  Plan B can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of intercourse. How effective the method is depends on the timing of intercourse, ovulation, and taking the drug. If intercourse is very close to the time of ovulation, it is unlikely that the drug can be taken soon enough to be effective. Company web site.
• ellaOne® This “morning after pill” is similar to Plan B®, except that it prevents pregnancy when taken up to five days after sex. Given that this is past the window for fertilization to occur, there is no doubt that the drug sometimes destroys a fertilized egg. As such, this method is not acceptable for those be think life begins at conception.
• Centchroman® (also called Centron® and Saheli®) is a non-hormonal once a week pill currently only available in India. Centchroman® is free of the side effects common to hormonal pills, and based on limited studies seems to be very effective at preventing pregnancy. The drug does not prevent ovulation, and works only by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting.

• Mirena® (also called LevoNova®) is an IUD that slowly releases the hormone levonorgestrel into the uterine lining during the five years it is in place. Mirena® did not show the "implanting hormone" in users, but this does not mean that no fertilizations occurred. This IUD may suppress ovulation sometimes, but is does not do so reliably. There is no reason to think its sperm killing effect is any greater than copper or inert IUD. Levonorgestrel® thins the uterine lining, making it inhospitable to a fertilized egg. While not proven, the evidence strongly supports the theory that Mirena® destroys fertilized eggs.
• Progestasert® is an IUD that releases Progestin for the one year that it is in place. We have less data on Progestasert® than on Mirena®, but thinning of the uterine lining is substantial with Progestasert®, and it's likely that destruction of fertilized eggs occurs.

• Polyurethane condoms are becoming widely available. These condoms are thinner and transmit heat better, making them feel more natural. The down side is that the condoms don't have much stretch - this can increase splitting if the condom is too tight, and slippage if it's not tight enough. Proper sizing is even more critical with polyurethane condoms.
• New synthetic materials are being tested for condom use, with some products already available in limited areas. New materials are likely to become popular because they will be stronger, thinner, and will transmit heat better.

• Placing a few drops of water soluble lubricant inside the condom before putting it on will improve sensation for the man.
• Some men find condoms with over sized tips more enjoyable and natural (Try Pleasure Plus® or the Inspiral Condom®.)
• Because polyurethane condoms are thinner and transmit heat better, some couples find them to be more enjoyable.
• So called natural or lamb's skin condoms, which dull sensations much less than other condoms, are still available - but expensive.

A German inventor has developed a spray-on condom. A device was built that successfully applies fast-drying latex to the penis, but development seems to have stalled. The inventor touts the “perfect fit” achieved, but those who have tried it say application is a mood killer, and the lack of a reservoir tip is a problem.

Female condoms are similar to the male version, except that they are inserted into the vagina. Since the condom does not move with the penis the sensation is more natural and more enjoyable for the man - however, some women find them uncomfortable. Female condoms have about twice the failure rate of male condoms, and are much more expensive. One selling point has been that they are thought to be better at protecting women from STDs.

• The FC Female Condom® (formerly Reality® in the US) is a tube of polyurethane stretched between two flexible hoops. The smaller hoop is inserted into the vagina, the larger hoop holds the condom on the outside. The FC Female Condom is widely available throughout the world.
• The Natural Sensation Panty Condom® is a reusable panty with a replaceable panty-liner that contains a synthetic resin condom (thinner and stronger than traditional condoms). For intercourse the condom is pushed into the vagina by the penis. The panty condom is available in parts of South America and parts of Europe, as well as by Internet sales, but has not received approval by the FDA or WHO.
• The Reddy Female Condom® (also known as L'amour @, V Amour @, VA WOW Feminine condom @, and Sutra) is similar to the FC, except that it's made of latex, and the condom is held inside by a spongy insert rather than an inner ring. As of June 2010 Reddy® is available in Western Europe, Brazil, India, and parts of Africa. One more clinical trial is needed for FDA approval.
• The FC2 Female Condom® is a synthetic latex version of the FC. Because of less expansive assembly methods, it costs much less than the FC. In studies the FC@ was ass effective as the FC, but rated as more comfortable by both men and women. The FC2 is now available in the US and many other contries.
• The PATH Woman's Condom® has been through 50 prototypes, looking for a design that combines easy insertion, comfort, stability, and low cost. The final product is made of polyurethane, has a soft outer ring, a dissolving capsule that allows easy insertion, and sections of urethane foam that cause the condom to adhere to the walls of the vagina. In tests users have found the condom to be very satisfactory. Currently (June 2010) they are about to start the final clinical trials needed for FDA approval.
• Silk Parasol Female Panty Condom is a being developed primarily to reduce AIDS. The panty, which is made of biodegradable latex, is left on during sex. It can be reused with refillable condoms. Currently seeking funds for clinical trials.

• Lea's Shield®, also known as Lea's Contraceptive®, is a device similar to a diaphragm or cap, but is one-size-fits-all and does not need to be fitted. Lea's does not have the same post vaginal delivery problems that traditional caps have. Because Lea's has a "one way valve" it can be used during menstruation - something other diaphragms and caps can't do. In the US, Lea's is a prescription item, in Canada and Europe it is available over the counter.
• Ovès® is a disposable cap-like device that comes in three sizes and must be fitted by a doctor - after fitting, the device may be purchased over the counter. Ovès® can be worn for up to three days, and is effective for the entire three days without reapplication of spermicide. Ovès is made of a very thin layer of silicone which "clings" to the cervix, presumably providing better protection against pregnancy. To date no large, long term, studies of failure rate have been done; in one small study done by the manufacture there were no pregnancies in 17 women followed for an average of 11 months each. Actual use failure rate has been set at 4% by the manufacturer. Currently Ovès is available in the UK and France.
• A new one-size-fits-all diaphragm known as SILCS® is currently undergoing testing - at this time there is no word on when it will be available.
• Also in development is Duet®, a disposable one-size-fits all diaphragm pre-filled with spermicide.

• Protectaid® is a Canadian product, also available in Europe, that contains low levels of three different spermicides - it is said to be less likely to cause irritation than sponges with a higher dose of a single spermicide.
• Pharmatex®, available in Canada and Europe, is a small cylinder rather than a cup shape.
• The Today® sponge was withdrawn from the US market in 1994 because of manufacturing problems. Financial issues and buy outs have interrupted supply several times, but as of May 2009 the Today ® sponge was available in Canada, the EU, and the US.

• Ladycomp® is a fancy thermometer and mini-computer that takes the woman's temperature and does the needed calculations to determine fertility. It's pretty expensive, and it relies on body temperature - which can be thrown off by a fever, use of an electric blanket, or forgetting to use it before you get out of bed on a cold morning.
• Cyclotest® As an optional extra to just temperature readings, the unit can also incorporate test results for LH levels (luteinising hormone) and cervical mucus observations, making it highly accurate. The unit only requires readings until just past ovulation, and then you can relax until menstruation starts again. As of September 2011 this device is available only in the EU.
• Luna® reads hormones indirectly. It uses saliva rather than urine, and has no ongoing expense. It's also the least expensive of the three.

• Vasclip® is a new method of performing a vasectomy. A small plastic clip, about the size of a grain of rice, is snapped over each vas deferens - preventing sperm from leaving the testicles. Studies have shown the method to be less painful and to have a lower rate of complications. It is also believed that reversal will be more likely to succeed with this kind of vasectomy. The procedure is generally quicker than other forms of vasectomy. While likely to cost slightly more than a regular vasectomy, it is covered by insurance just like any vasectomy. For more information and to locate a doctor in your area, check the manufacturer's web site.
• Intra Vas Device®, a new method of closing the vas deferens, with two versions being developed - one in China, the other in the US. Two small two silicone plugs are inserted into each vas, effectively blocking sperm. In animal studies, the procedure can be easily and reliably reversed. The FDA approved human clinical trials in 2006, but there has been no new news on the method for some time.

• The Filshie clip is a different way of closing the fallopian tubes. The clip is put over the tubes, pinching them closed. The clip can be applied following a C-section, or can be done with laparoscopy surgery which involves only a very small opening being made into the abdomen. Because the surgery is less invasive, complications are fewer and recovery is faster. Because the fallopian tubes are not cut, the complications attributed to traditional ligations seem less likely.
• Essure - Non invasive female sterilization: A new form of female sterilization has been approved for use in the US. A small metal device that looks like a spring is placed in each fallopian tube by entering through the cervix. The entire process takes well under an hour. After three months scar tissue around the Essure device closes the tubes, causing infertility. The three year success rate is 99.8%, but some women fail to form sufficient scar tissue. Infertility is confirmed by x-rays. Because there is no surgical entry to the body, this method is much easier, has fewer complications, and has a much faster recovery than a tubal ligation. Because nothing is cut, it's likely that the complications attributed to ligations are not a factor with Essure. Currently available in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Turkey. For more information and to locate a doctor in your area, check the manufacturer's web site.
• The Adiana Procedure is another method of blocking the fallopian tubes by working through the cervix. The method recived CE approval in early 2009, and FDA approval mid 2009. For more information, or to find a doctor, check the manufaturer's web site.