The birth control pill has been around for about 40 years, and it's still the most popular method among women.

On Your Side Health Specialist Lee Jordan says that even though it is most popular, it's not perfect for everyone. She offers three effective alternatives.

Dr. Andrew Kaunitz recently studied a new drug, called Lunelle, that is injected. Eight hundred women were involved in the study.

Lunelle is expected to be available sometime this year.

Jennifer Samioglou says that being in the study doesn't take a lot of time.

The drug is injected into either the hip or shoulder during a visit with a doctor once a month. Some of the side effects include breast tenderness and weight changes.

Jordan reports that unlike Depo-Provera, women have normal menstrual cycles and become pregnant soon after treatments end.

"Women need to recognize that if they're using Depo-Provera shots, they will not have regular periods," Kaunitz says. "And it will take a while for their fertility to return."

On the other hand, Depo-Provera involves four injections a year.

Another option is the copper IUD, which has greatly improved over the years, but is used by only 1 percent of women.

"It's something that can be started or stopped right in the physician's office and does not require anesthesia, no permanent decision and no surgery," Kaunitz says.

Jordan says that the copper causes a reaction inside the uterus that prevents sperm from getting to the uterine cavity.

Lunelle and Depo-Provera are priced comparably to birth control pills at about $240 a year. An IUD costs about $400, and it lasts for 10 years.

All three methods are considered nearly 100 percent effective.