Pills vs Shots: Pills or shots, which is the better option for birth control? Know the advantages and disadvantages of both from the experts..
- byShikha Srivastava
- 14 Feb, 2025
Women are often caught in dilemmas related to pregnancy. Sometimes, bound by social circles, they do not understand which decision is in their best interest. And sometimes when they conclude, they do not see any alternative. But now science has given so many options that you can choose pregnancy as per your wish. The names of these two options are – birth control pills and birth control shots. We are all familiar with the names of pills, but are birth control shots also an equally effective option to prevent pregnancy? Today we will understand what are these shots and which is the right and healthy option for birth control among pills and shots .

What are Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are those medicines that are meant to prevent unwanted pregnancies in women. Any sexually active woman can take these medicines on the advice of a doctor. These pills control pregnancy by controlling the hormones of the body.
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These pills contain some synthetic hormones which are found naturally in our body. Such as estrogen and progestin. These hormones stop the process of pregnancy in the ovaries of women. They are used regularly.
What are Birth Control Shots?
These shots are also a kind of hormonal solution that women can prevent their unwanted pregnancies. It is usually called Depo-Provera.
With the help of this artificial hormone, women get relief from pregnancy. In the form of an injection, this shot interferes with the work of the ovaries of women and prevents the sperms that come after sex from entering the ovaries of women, due to which women stay away from pregnancy. It can be taken every three months.
Comparison between birth control pills and shots (birth control pills vs shots)
1. Usage
According to Dr. Mukta, the effect of birth control shot lasts for three months. This means that you do not have to worry about taking the pill every day. This can be a good option for working women. On the other hand, this facility is not available with birth control pills. Apart from this, there is also a compulsion to take it at the same time every day, due to which there can be a risk of forgetting it and then in case of forgetting, pregnancy can knock.
2. Effect
According to the UK's National Health Services, birth shots are up to 99 percent effective. Whereas the chances of birth control pills being effective are slightly less than this. If the pills are taken correctly, then it is 91-99% effective and these figures are such only when they are taken regularly.
3. Side effects
For some women, birth control shots can stop periods completely, which can lead to some problems (birth control problems). Shots can also cause hormonal imbalance in the body of women. Whereas the chances of such effects are less in pills. Taking pills increases the chances of regularizing periods, unlike shots.
Apart from this, birth control shots can also give other types of side effects, such as headache, weight gain, and mood swings. In comparison to these (birth control pills vs shots), pills cause less such problems.

4. Budget
Birth control pills are more budget-friendly. Their cost is much less than shots (birth control pills vs shots). Even though shots are taken once in three months, their cost is higher and birth control pills are cheaper than shots despite being taken regularly.
5. Disadvantages (Effects of birth control pills and shots)
Dr. Mukta says that the use of birth control shots can affect the functioning of the ovaries. Its effect also takes time to go away. If you think that you will stop taking the shot and get pregnant immediately, then this is difficult. Due to the effect of the shots, it takes time for the ovaries to function normally again.





