Transdermal, transvaginal and intrauterine hormone delivery systems have made highly effective contraceptive products more convenient to use. New oral contraceptive options include regimens with fewer or shorter hormone-free intervals.

Femcon Fe (Warner Chilcott) is being advertised as the world's only chewable oral contraceptive. It was formerly marketed as Ovcon 35 Fe. Each packet provides 21 tablets containing 0.4 mg norethindrone and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol, and 7 tablets with only 75 mg of ferrous fumarate. Femcon Fe has the same active hormonal ingredients as Ovcon 35 (Warner Chilcott), which has been available since 1976, and its generic equivalent Balziva (Barr); neither formulation contains iron. The spearmint-flavored Femcon Fe pill can be chewed or swallowed whole. According to the package labeling, if the pill is chewed, it should be followed by a full glass of water. The generic equivalent is not chewable, but it costs about 15 cents less per pill, and presumably comes with a lower co-pay in most insurance plans. Download U.S. English