Beyond the pill: New contraceptives expand birth-control options.

Byline: Scott McCredie

Centuries ago, women relied on magic spells, poisonous teas and painful douches to prevent pregnancies. Today there are dozens of easier and more effective methods.

Newest among them is a product that debuted recently called Ortho Evra, or "the patch" _ a 2-inch, plastic square that's worn like a Band-Aid for seven days at a time and dispenses the same type of hormones used in birth-control pills.

Several other new products are either available now or soon could be, pending approval by the Food and Drug Administration. While all are evolutionary rather than revolutionary, they still elicit applause from local health professionals.

"Anything that expands access and gives women another way to obtain safe contraception, that's a fabulous advance in women's health," said Marcy Bloom, executive director of Aradia Women's Health Center in Seattle.

Among the other newcomers:

_Mirena IUD. This new type of intrauterine system releases the hormone progestin (about one-fifth the dose found in birth-control pills), lasts for up to five years, is as effective as sterilization in preventing pregnancy, and reduces menstrual blood flow by up to 90 percent after a year.

_NuvaRing. A soft, thin, flexible 2-inch plastic ring a woman inserts into her vagina for three weeks at a time. It works like the pill, emitting a low dose of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Approved by the FDA, it should be available in pharmacies by…