The Patch
This thin, beige adhesive that looks like a bandage is a transdermal patch that requires a doctor’s prescription. Xulane is one common brand. Common side effects women experience include irregular bleeding, nausea and sore breasts.
How it works: The patch uses estrogen and progestin to stop pregnancy. A patch is worn on the upper arm, stomach, butt or back each week for three weeks; no patch is worn during the fourth week. Ordinarily, a woman gets her period during this week and then the cycle is restarted.
Cost: Up to $80
Rate of effectiveness: 91 percent
