Main content Progestin-Only Hormonal Methods (Mini-Pills, Implants, and Shots)

Progestin-Only Hormonal Methods (Mini-Pills, Implants, and Shots)

How Well It Works

Shots and implants are highly effective methods of birth control.

Progestin-only mini-pills are very effective, but combination hormone pills are even more effective. Also, the mini-pill has to be taken at the same time every day to work correctly.

The shot

This method is highly effective, unless you fail to get a shot after 3 months.^{Reference 2}

Typical use: Among all Depo-Provera users, 3 women out of 100 become pregnant each year.
Perfect use: Of women who get their shots on schedule, only 3 out of 1,000 become pregnant each year.

Progestin mini-pill

This method is very effective, but you must take the mini-pill at the same time every day.^{Reference 2}

Typical use: Among all mini-pill users, 8 women out of 100 become pregnant each year.
Perfect use: Of women who take every mini-pill on schedule, only 3 out of 1,000 become pregnant each year.

Implant

This method is extremely effective and lasts for 3 years.^{Reference 2}

Typical use and perfect use are the same for this method, with no reported pregnancies from studies.

Medicines that can interfere with hormonal birth control

Some combinations of medicine may affect the birth control hormones in your body, making them too strong or too weak. This may increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Or a new medicine may be less likely to work because you have birth control hormones in your body. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that the medicines you take are not causing problems when you are using hormonal birth control.

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: May 3, 2012
Medical Review:	Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Reference Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology