2022-05-16

Birth control: all about birth control pills

We talked about the morning-after pill , so it's the contraceptives' turn to be in the center of attention. what are they How are they used? What are the benefits or drawbacks? Read on to learn all about birth control pills!

Let's start at the beginning: birth control pills are a type of hormone medication; they are safe, affordable and effective in preventing pregnancy if always taken on time.

What are contraceptives?

The birth control pill is a daily pill that contains hormones that change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemicals that control the functioning of the body's organs, and the hormones in the pill control the ovaries and uterus.

How exactly does it work?

Most birth control pills are "combined pills" that contain a mixture of estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg). So pregnancy cannot occur if you do not ovulate, because there is no egg to be fertilized.

However, they do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. When you decide to use the pill, keep this aspect in mind! And before anything else, we recommend that you consult a gynecologist to find the contraceptives that suit your needs and your body. Thus, you will be able to avoid adverse effects.

When are contraceptives indicated for use?

Contraceptives are a hormonal contraceptive method that is taken daily to prevent pregnancy. Therefore, they can be indicated especially for sexually active women who want to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, without relying on ineffective methods such as the withdrawal method . It's important to keep in mind, however, that birth control pills only protect you against pregnancy, not sexually transmitted diseases .

If you want to discover other contraceptive methods, read our article about what solutions exist and which one is the most effective HERE .

In addition to this, birth control pills may be prescribed by your doctor to treat or manage a host of other menstrual conditions and problems, and more, including:

Dysmenorrhea (severe menstrual pains)
Premenstrual syndrome
Endometriosis
Benign breast conditions
Precocious puberty
Acne

How does the doctor choose the right contraceptives?

The doctor will first of all analyze your health condition, medical history and, if applicable, what other treatments you are taking, before deciding which type of contraceptive is best for you. It will also take into account recent events in your life, age and lifestyle.

For example, they won't recommend combined contraceptives if you've recently given birth, if you've had heart problems in the past, or if you're over 35 and smoke. He will also not recommend the mini birth control pill if you have certain liver conditions or have uterine bleeding for no apparent reason.

Types of contraceptives

Contraceptives contain different doses of artificial hormones. There are combined contraceptives and monohormonal contraceptives. In a contraceptive foil, the last seven pills are inactive and do not contain hormones.

ALL about contraceptives ➤ Risks and benefits of the contraceptive pill ➤ How many types are there? ➤ Answer to curiosities ➤ Find out more here!

Combined pills can be of several types:

Monophasic contraceptives. Each active pill contains the same amount of hormones and the inactive pills are taken in the last week of the menstrual cycle, so that menstruation occurs. But there are also contraceptives that contain only active pills, and after completing the treatment, you can take a 7-day break;
Multiphasic contraceptives (biphasic or triphasic). They contain different amounts of hormones, but as with monophasic pills, the last week of the cycle is reserved for inactive pills.
Contraceptives for extended cycle. These are used for 13-week cycles: the first 12 weeks are for active pills, and on the 13th you will take inactive pills after which your period will appear.

Monohormonal contraceptives

They contain only progestogens and are also called "micro-pills". It is especially recommended for people who cannot take estrogen. What does it look like? They are similar to other pills but only contain active pills. Menstruation varies from person to person when using this form of contraception: you may or may not have a period at the end of your cycle.

The effectiveness of contraceptives

When used correctly, birth control pills are 99% effective. But no one is perfect and you do forget to take the pill sometimes, in which case the pill is about 91% effective.

The main reason the pill doesn't work is when you don't take it every day. But there are still things that can reduce its effectiveness:

vomiting or diarrhea for more than 48 hours (2 days)
Some antibiotics
Some antifungal medications
Certain HIV medicines
Certain drugs used in mental disorders

After how long are you protected when you take contraceptives?

The protection you get from birth control depends on when you start taking it and the type of pill you use. For example, you can start taking the pill on any day of the month. However, it may be necessary (and recommended) to use a back-up contraceptive method - such as condoms - for the first few weeks, up to the first month.

Combined pills

If you start the combined pill within 5 days of the first day of your period, you will be immediately protected against pregnancy. And if you start the treatment at any other time, you must take into account the first 7 days until it will be effective in protecting you.

The micro-pill

You can start treatment with progestin-based contraceptives on any day of the month: they will be effective after 48 hours. It is recommended, therefore, that in the first days you also use another contraceptive method.

But don't worry: your doctor can help you determine the best time to start birth control so that it's effective.

When are contraceptives taken?

Although contraceptives have the main role of protecting you from pregnancy, they can be recommended and administered in other situations, for example:

To regulate the menstrual cycle
To reduce muscle cramps (during ovulation or menstruation)
To reduce the risk of anemia if you have heavy periods
To relieve the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
To reduce acne
To reduce migraines associated with dysmenorrhea (painful periods)

What contraceptives should I take?

Have you decided to use birth control but don't know which type of pill to choose? Your doctor will recommend the type, taking into account your medical history. Together, you'll take into account your menstrual symptoms, cardiovascular health, any chronic conditions you have, or certain medications that may interfere with birth control.

In addition, you will have to inform yourself about the advantages but also the adverse reactions that may occur.

The advantages of contraceptives

The advantages would be protection against pregnancy, regular and less painful or heavy periods. But disadvantages can include high costs, lack of protection against sexually transmitted diseases, and health effects of synthetic hormones.

Contraceptive side effects

Some people have breast tenderness, spotting between periods, high blood pressure and blood clots. In addition, side effects include:

Nausea
Sore or swollen breasts
Small amounts of blood, or spotting, between periods
Changes of provision
Mild headaches
Vomiting
State of fatigue
Menstrual pains
Low libido
Change in vaginal secretions

These are not problematic, but a series of symptoms indicate an emergency and if you have them, contact your doctor immediately:

Abdominal pains
Chest pain
Severe headaches
Blurred vision
Swelling or pain in the legs and thighs

Contraceptive deficiencies

As mentioned earlier, the downsides of birth control are that it doesn't protect you from sexually transmitted diseases and infections, possible high long-term costs, and the adverse effects of synthetic hormones on your hormone balance.

How long does it take for birth control pills to take effect?

Theoretically, if you start taking contraceptives 5 days before your period starts, they take effect immediately and you are protected from an unwanted pregnancy. Otherwise, they need 7 days to start protecting you.

However, keep in mind that it may take up to several months for the body to get used to the new hormone level and for the menstrual cycle to adjust.

The morning-after pill and contraceptives - What is the difference?

Emergency contraception in pill form can be taken for up to 120 hours. This means that you can take the pill from the next day up to 5 days after unprotected sex. There are two types of emergency contraception, which contain:

Levonorgestrel. It can be used for up to 3 days and can be taken without a prescription, from any pharmacy
Ulipristal acetate. It can be used for up to 120 hours, and can only be obtained with a prescription

What exactly does the morning-after pill do? It prevents or delays ovulation (the release of an egg), reducing the chances that the egg will be fertilized.

But it is important to note that the pill - be it emergency or combined contraceptives - cannot stop a pregnancy that has already started. If a fertilized egg has already implanted in the uterus, it has no effect on the existing pregnancy. I wrote more about the morning after pill in this article !

Here are some of the significant differences between the morning-after pill and long-acting contraceptives:

→ The morning-after pill does not provide continuous protection against pregnancy. It only helps prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. But if you have sex again after taking emergency contraception, you are no longer protected. You should consider another form of contraception to prevent pregnancy in the future.

→ Birth control pills are more effective than emergency contraception. If taken within 24 hours of intercourse, emergency contraception is 95% effective. When taken correctly, the birth control pill is 99% effective.

→ If you need to take the morning-after pill more than two or three times a year, you should consider a long-acting contraceptive method, as the emergency pill is an expensive option.

Correct administration - how are contraceptives taken?

When your doctor prescribes birth control pills, only taking them every day prevents an unwanted pregnancy. So, when you take them regularly, you keep your hormones at a steady level. In addition, sperm survive for up to 5 days, so your fertile window is longer than a day: it can be up to 6 days a month. But you have nothing to worry about when you take contraceptives regularly: they are 99% effective.

If you forget to take a pill sometimes, the risk of pregnancy reaches 9%.

Myths about contraceptives:

Just as each woman's experience with her own period is different, experiences with birth control can vary from person to person. This is one of the reasons why a lot of myths about birth control pills have arisen, and below we will discuss some of the most common ones.

Next we add several myths for which we develop content of approximately 50-75 words:

"Contraceptives make you fat"

Birth control pills themselves don't directly make you fat, according to studies. What can happen is that due to hormonal changes, the appetite changes and the feeling of hunger increases. This can lead to more frequent or consistent eating and a caloric surplus that will ultimately cause weight gain.

Myth "Contraceptives cause breast cancer"

Indeed, there are studies that indicate a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer for women who have used birth control for more than 5 years. Some research also indicates an increase in the risk of cervical cancer, but the results are not conclusive and one of the causes may be exposure to the HPV virus .

On the other hand, studies show that birth control pills can significantly reduce the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. So always discuss your risks and options with your doctor to make the best decision.

Myth: "Contraceptives affect fertility"

No, birth control pills do not cause infertility. They prevent pregnancy only during the period for which they are administered, not afterwards. Birth control pills do not affect a woman's ability to become pregnant in the future after stopping hormone treatment.

According to studies, about 79% to 96% of women become pregnant within 12 months of stopping birth control. If you want to maximize your chances of getting pregnant, read our articles on how your fertile period and the calendar method can help.

Myth: "People over a certain age don't need birth control"

It is an incomplete statement. Indeed, doctors do not recommend birth control for people who are over 35 and smoke because it can increase the risk of high blood pressure and blood clots. But pregnancy at an advanced age is often associated with various health problems and congenital anomalies, so contraceptives are usually recommended until the age of 55-60.

Myth: "All contraceptives are the same"

Not all contraceptives contain the same substance or work the same way. There are several types of birth control pills, differing in composition. Some pills only contain progesterone. Others contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone. The doctor will take into account your own needs to recommend the most suitable type of contraceptive.

Myth: "Contraceptives affect libido"

Indeed, there are women who claim that one of the side effects of birth control is decreased libido, along with reduced sexual pleasure and interest in intimacy.

Studies have not confirmed this claim, however, and it cannot be said with certainty whether the change in libido is a result of birth control pills or other factors such as lifestyle, stress levels or age. If you notice a decrease in pleasure during sex, let's talk about the best positions that might help you, in our article HERE .

Myth: "The pill must be taken every day at the same time"

Of course, it is not wrong to take the pill at the same time. But the truth is that most birth control pills are just as effective no matter what time they are taken, if you take them every day.

But here too there is an exception: the micro-pill or monohormonal contraceptives must be taken daily within a three-hour "window".

What do I do if I forgot to take contraceptives one day?

If you forget to take a pill, don't worry: you can take it as soon as you remember. If you forget to take the pill for 2 days, you can take two on the day you remember and two the next day - but it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The risks of using birth control pills

Usually, the risks and complications arise against the background of existing health conditions. So, in rare cases, using contraceptives can increase the risk of:

Thrombosis
Blood clots
Heart attack
Stroke
Pulmonary embolism

Intensification of symptoms

You can also take contraceptives, but if you have some of the conditions below, they can get worse:

Uterine fibroma
Renal diseases
Gallstones
Cardiovascular diseases
Diabetes mellitus
Depression

Contraindications for contraception

And since we've come to contraindications, you shouldn't take birth control pills if:

You are pregnant
You have thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic conditions
You have high blood pressure
You suffered from a myocardial infarction
You have had a stroke
You suffer from liver disease
You suffer from breast cancer
You are over 40 years old
You are a smoker and you are over 35 years old

Other contraceptive methods

If birth control pills are not a good option for you, a doctor can help you find other birth control methods.

Contraceptive methods without medical prescription

You can choose a method that does not require a medical prescription, for example:

The male condom
The female condom
The contraceptive sponge

Contraceptive methods with medical prescription

Talk to your doctor to determine another contraceptive method, based on a medical prescription:

Diaphragm. It is a flexible disk that blocks the access of spermatozoa to the cervix. It is coated with spermicide before use and is 88% effective.
Cervical cap. It is flexible, sits over the cervix and is about 80% effective.
The implant. It is a plastic rod (the size of a match) that is inserted under the skin and works as a contraceptive, releasing progestin. Thus, it affects ovulation and is 99% effective.
The intrauterine device (IUD) . It is a tiny, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus during a gynecological consultation and is 99% effective. I wrote about the types of IUDs, their effectiveness, benefits and risks involved in this article .
The contraceptive patch. A patch that is placed on the skin and releases estrogen and progesterone, with an effectiveness of 92%.
Contraceptive injections. They are injections that are given in the gynecologist's office once every 90 days and have an effectiveness of 98%.
Vaginal ring. It is inserted into the vagina, where it can be kept for up to three weeks and has an effectiveness of 92%. It releases estrogen and progesterone.

And don't forget: birth control pills only protect against pregnancy! They do not protect you against infections or sexually transmitted diseases. The condom, on the other hand, protects you from sexually transmitted viruses or infections.

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