Being a woman can be a journey. Between mammograms, ovulation, periods, orgasms, sex, and the vaginal microbiome, there’s a lot to manage. (That doesn’t even include things we do daily outside of our sexual health and well-being. It’s a lot!)

Let’s not forget about hormones. (Ugh, for the love of hormones.) My journey with hormones has been, just that, a journey, which you can read about right here. Hormones affect so much of our health and lives, it’s no wonder why some of us don’t want to mess with them — because they can potentially mess with us in more ways than one.

Everyone’s health and hormone journey is entirely unique to them, but if your hormone health now includes a new chapter called “hormone-free birth control,” we’ve got you covered with some hormone-free birth control options. (Yes, that includes estrogen-free birth control and hormone-free IUD options.)

Why you may want a hormone-free birth control

Why would you want to use a hormone-free birth control method, anyway? Are there any pros to going hormone-free?

“Women who are hoping to be pregnant within the year may do well to go off oral contraceptives, especially if a woman has been on them for many years, shares Wendie Trubow, MD, ob-gyn. “It can take a while for regular spontaneous menses to return. Additionally, if a woman does not respond well to hormones she should consider a hormone-free birth control method.”

You may have other reasons for wanting to go hormone-free as well. For me, I wanted to give my body a break from a decade of hormonal birth control — and thank goodness I did because it took roughly six to seven years to regain my natural cycle all on its own. I also wanted to be more in tune with my body and being hormone-free helped me achieve that. 

Whatever your reason is for looking for hormone-free birth control, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s true to you, your body, and your health, that’s all that matters.

Hormone-free birth control options

1. Tracking apps

There’s literally an app for everything these days and hormone-free birth control is no exception. I used to track my cycles with Natural Cycles, the only FDA-cleared birth control app with zero side effects and no prescription needed. 

The app works by tracking your body’s basal body temperature (BBT), which is your body’s temperature at rest. When you ovulate, your BBT increases ever so slightly. The easiest way to track your BBT is to use a special thermometer and a tracking app like Natural Cycles. There are also other brands that do this as well, I’m just personally a fan of Natural Cycles.

2. Celibacy

Alright, ya’ll, I understand celibacy isn’t the most desired form of birth control, but hey, if you are looking for hormone-free birth control, it’s an option. I myself went through a season of celibacy and despite what you may think, there are some benefits.

A season of celibacy doesn’t mean you’ll never have sex again — but until then, there’s always masturbation with your favorite sex toys because sometimes, a girl just needs an orgasm every now and then. (Oh hey, orgasmic glow). Don’t worry; it also has benefits and you can’t break your vagina. (I asked the experts.)

3. Condoms

There’s nothing wrong with good old-fashioned condoms, especially if you’re in the market for hormone-free birth control or estrogen-free birth control. In fact, this is the method Trubow recommends when searching for hormone-free birth control.

Condoms, when used correctly, are about 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and there are no hormones involved. Just make sure to wear them correctly or else your chances of efficacy drop to 87%. This is because condoms can leak, slip off, and tear.

4. Gels

Another hormone-free birth control option is Phexxi, a contraceptive gel consisting of three active ingredients: citric acid, lactic acid, and potassium bitartrate. FDA-approved, this hormone-free birth control option works by keeping the vagina acidic.

How exactly does a gel work as a hormone-free birth control? “Normally when semen enters the vagina, it temporarily causes the pH to become more basic to ensure the survival of sperm,” explains Harvard Health. “However, the three ingredients in the gel keep the vagina acidic. This helps immobilize sperm to keep them from swimming up the vaginal canal and through the cervix (the opening to the uterus) to reach and fertilize an egg. The gel also coats the cervix, which may prevent sperm from reaching the uterus.”

For women who don’t like or want something inserted into their bodies, the Phexxi, or a contraceptive sponge, are both great options, and should be used in conjunction with condoms, notes Trubow.

5. Hormone-free IUD

If you prefer to use an IUD and are still interested in hormone-free birth control, a hormone-free IUD could work for you. The copper IUD (Paragard) is the only birth control that’s 100% hormone-free, over 99% effective, and works with one simple active ingredient — copper. Plus, it can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.

“The Paraguard IUD is good for almost everyone,” says Trubow, “with the exception being women who will not use condoms since there is a slightly increased risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection with the Paragard IUD if a woman were to be exposed.”

Trubow also mentions that women who haven’t had sex yet aren’t the best candidates for this hormone-free IUD — but it’s certainly possible, just not ideal.  

The bottom line on hormone-free birth control

If you’re looking for a hormone-free birth control, there are options. Whether you prefer estrogen-free birth control or a hormone-free IUD, talk with your gyno about which hormone-free birth control is best for you.