Review compares birth control options

DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- A U.S. review of three female birth control methods found none are perfect, but all are equally effective.

Lead investigator Laureen Lopez of the Family Health International in Research Triangle Park, N.C., looked at 11 randomized trials involving more than 6,000 women.

Three studies compared the Ortho Evra patch, which dispenses hormones via the skin, to the pill, while eight studies compared the NuvaRing, which releases hormones into the vaginal cavity, to the pill.

"Basically, all of these methods were similar in preventing pregnancy," Lopez said in a statement.

Women using the patch were more likely to use the medication as prescribed than those on the pill, however, patch users experienced more side effects and were more likely to abandon their method before pill users did. Ring users generally had fewer serious side effects than pill users, but had more vaginal irritation and discharge, Lopez said.

The review, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, found compared with pill users, patch users had more bleeding breakthroughs, breast discomfort, painful periods, nausea and vomiting. Rings users had more vaginal irritation and discharge.