What are birth control pills?
Birth control tablets are oral contraceptives that have trace levels of hormones your body normally produces during the menstrual cycle. By preventing ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovary, the hormones in birth control pills prevent pregnancy. In order to decrease the likelihood that a fertilized egg will implant, certain birth control drugs also temporarily alter the uterus’ lining. Birth control pills are sold in packs of one pill for each day of a 28-day period, typically. Depending on the pill, you take a birth control pill daily, usually around the same time each day. You are less likely to become pregnant as a result of keeping some hormone levels elevated.
What are the types of birth control pills?
Combination pills :
Oestrogen controls the menstrual cycle.The middle of your cycle is when your estrogen levels are naturally highest, and your period is when they are at their lowest. After ovulation, progesterone causes the endometrium to thicken, preparing the uterus for pregnancy. 28 packs of combination tablets are available. The majority of pills taken during each cycle are active, meaning they contain hormones. The remaining pills are inactive, so they don’t have any hormones in them. There are various kinds of combination medications:
Monophasic pills :
Tablets that have only one phase. They are given out in cycles of one month. You receive the same amount of hormone from each active pill. However, you can take or miss the inactive pills during the final week of the cycle and still get your period.
Multiphasic pills :
They give varying hormone levels over the course of the cycle and are administered in cycles of one month.
Extended-cycle pills :
Usually, these are given out in 13-week cycles. Your doctor will suggest to take the medication for 12 weeks. You can take or miss the inactive pills during the final week of the cycle and still get your period. You only get your period three to four times a year as a result.
Progestin-only pills :
Unlike estrogen-containing pills, progestin-only pills are made of synthetic progesterone. This kind of pill is also known as a mini pill. Those who have heavy periods and take solely progestin tablets may experience less bleeding. If you have a history of a stroke, migraine with aura, heart illness, peripheral vascular disease, or deep vein thrombosis, or if you are otherwise unable to take estrogen, they may be a useful alternative for you. If you smoke and are over 35, you should also stay away from estrogen as this can raise your risk of getting a blood clot. All tablets throughout the cycle are active while using progestin-only pills. You may or may not experience menstruation while taking progestin-only medications because there are no inactive pills.
Which birth control pill will be suitable for me?
Not everyone responds well to all kinds of pills. Discuss which medication would be most effective for you with your doctor. The following elements may influence your decision:
A progestin-only birth control pill may be more effective for you if you have heavy bleeding than a combo pill.Whether you are nursing. Your doctor might advise avoiding estrogen-containing birth control tablets if you’re nursing, the condition of your heart. She might suggest a progestin-only birth control pill if you have a history of deep vein thrombosis, stroke, or blood clots. You can also have other chronic medical issues. You might not be a good candidate for oral contraceptives if you have a chronic health condition, such as active breast or endometrial cancer, migraines with aura, or heart problems.
Speak to your doctor and be sure to disclose all of your medical history. additional drugs you might use. Combination birth control may not be the best option for you if you’re taking antibiotics or herbal medicines like St. John’s Wort. Birth control pills can also be affected adversely by some antiviral treatments and epilepsy meds, and vice versa.
How do these pills work?
Combination medications function in two different ways. They do this by first preventing ovulation in your body. Your ovaries won’t release an egg every month as a result. Second, the body thickens the cervical mucus, which is the fluid that surrounds your cervix and aids sperm in reaching your uterus to fertilize an egg. Sperm can’t enter the uterus because of the thicker mucus. Moreover, progestin-only pills function in a variety of ways. They primarily function by making your cervical mucus thicker and your endometrium thinner.The lining of your uterus, known as your endometrium, is where a fertilized egg implants. A thinner lining makes it more difficult for an egg to implant, which will stop the development of a pregnancy. Only-progestin tablets may also stop ovulation.
How do I use birth control pills?
There are numerous formats for combination medications. They include monthly packets with cycles of 21 days, 24 days, or 28 days. 91-day cycles can be followed by extended regimens. You take one pill daily at the same time of day in all of these formulations. You will be immediately protected against pregnancy if you start taking your combination pill no later than five days following the beginning of your menstruation. If you start taking the pills at any other time, you’ll need to do so for a full week in order to receive protection. Use a barrier form of pregnancy control during this time, such as an external condom.
Contrarily, progestin-only pills are only available in packs of 28. You take one pill at the same time each day, just like with combination medications. You will be protected from pregnancy after taking 2 consecutive progestin-only pills within 48 hours because progestin-only medications often function more quickly than combo pills. Use a birth control technique with a barrier if you don’t want to wait the required 48 hours before having sex.
Side effects
While most individuals find birth control tablets to be safe, there are certain dangers and adverse effects. The hormones in birth control pills cause various reactions in different people. Some people experience adverse consequences like:
- Reduced sex drive headaches nausea
- Bleeding between cycles or spotting
- Breast sensitivity
- Stomach pain and an increase in urination
If you experience these adverse effects, they should go away within a few months of taking the medication. You should consult with your doctor if they don’t get better. They might advise switching to a distinct brand of birth control pill.
