Choosing the right birth control for you can feel overwhelming, especially once you start diving into all of the available options. One distinguishing factor that can help you narrow down your choices is whether you are looking for estrogen-free birth control instead of combined oral contraceptives, which contain estrogen and progestin.
Estrogen-free birth control pills, like Slynd® (drospirenone), are options to explore whether you’re simply a hormone-conscious individual who wants to avoid the added worry of an estrogen, are currently breastfeeding, or have a health condition that makes an estrogen-containing birth control method not suitable for you.*
*Do not take Slynd® if you have kidney disease or kidney failure, have reduced adrenal gland function, have or have had cervical cancer or any cancer that is sensitive to female hormones, have liver disease, including liver tumors, or have unexplained vaginal bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of these conditions. Your doctor can suggest a different method of birth control.
Please see additional Important Risk Information below.
Below you’ll find useful information about estrogen-free birth control to help you in your contraceptive journey.
Why some women turn to estrogen-free birth control
According to the Guttmacher Institute, 88% of sexually active women who are not trying to conceive are on some kind of birth control.
Since 1960, the United States has become a more diverse country, and many of the clinical trials for contraceptive drugs, like Slynd®, have reflected these changing demographics. Slynd® included a diverse group of women with different body types and health considerations in its clinical trial. Some women explore estrogen-free birth control options if they want to avoid the added worry of estrogen related side-effects, are breastfeeding, are over the age of 35 and smoke, or suffer from certain vascular health conditions. There are many considerations that go into selecting the right birth control pills for you.† ‡
Please see additional Important Risk Information below.
What makes Slynd® unique among progestin-only pills are three features:
- Drospirenone, the progestin found in Slynd® which lowers the risk of becoming pregnant primarily by suppressing ovulation.
- Slynd® has a flexible 24-hour window to catch-up on a missed pill. However, it is important to try to take your pill at the same time every day.
- If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember and continue your regular schedule. If you miss two or more pills, use non-hormonal backup birth control (e.g. condoms) for 7 days after missing your pills. Missing pills may cause spotting or light bleeding.
- If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember and continue your regular schedule. If you miss two or more pills, use non-hormonal backup birth control (e.g. condoms) for 7 days after missing your pills. Missing pills may cause spotting or light bleeding.
- Slynd® also has a 24/4 dosing schedule, meaning there are 24 active pills and 4 inactive pills in a monthly pack. The 4 inactive pills are there to remind you to take a pill everyday and know when to start your next pack.
The different types of estrogen-free birth control
n addition to progestin-only pills, other estrogen-free birth control options include birth control injections, IUDs (intrauterine devices), and birth control implants. It is important to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider to see if an estrogen-free contraceptive may be appropriate for you.
No matter what path you take when it comes to your birth control choice, remember that feeling informed when you walk into your doctor’s office can make a big difference. The more you know, the better equipped you are to advocate for yourself, enabling you to be informed about the birth control options that could work for you.
Learn more about combination and progestin-only birth control methods here.
† Before you take Slynd®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, have ever had blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), or a stroke or heart attack (myocardial infarction), have or have had depression.
‡ Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a blood clot, or if you plan to have surgery, or are not able to be active due to illness or injury.
Reference: 1. Slynd Prescribing Information. SLY-24-671 R00
