Progestin is a form of progesterone, a hormone that's involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. It functions in a few different ways. It thickens mucus in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize an egg and it thins the lining of the uterus. The different types of Progestin formats for birth control are the following:
The mini pill: The mini pill is a small, progestin-only pill that's designed to be taken at the same time each day and is about 91% effective.
The shot (Depo-Provera): The shot contains the hormone depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, which protects against pregnancy for 13 weeks therefore requiring 4 injections per year and is about 94% effective.
Progestin only IUD devices which contain only progestin. The progestin-only IUDs are a T-shape device that is implanted in the uterus and is 99% effective.
The implant (Nexplanon): The implant is a flexible, plastic rod about the size of a matchstick that's inserted just under the skin in the upper arm. There, it releases progestin in the body and is approximately 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Advantages of Progestin Only Birth Control is as follows,
1. The mini pill is good for someone who is breastfeeding and can remember to take it every day.
2. The shot (Depo-Provera): This can be a good option for those who don't want to take a daily pill but also don't want to have a device implanted in them.
3. A progestin IUD is good for someone who is not interested in conceiving within the next year, cannot take estrogen, and has a difficult time remembering to take a pill at the same time each day.
4. The implant is good for someone who wants to avoid a daily pill.
Adverse effects should be taken into consideration and can be delineated as the following.
• Mini pill: short cycles of bleeding or spotting, headaches, nausea, and breast tenderness
• The shot (Depo-Provera): Irregular bleeding, longer periods of bleeding, or spotting
• Certain intrauterine devices (IUDs): Spotting, headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes
• The implant (Nexplanon): Unpredictable bleeding, digestive issues, headaches, breast pain, weight gain, and acne
