Contraceptive pills or simply oral pills are first choice to stop unwanted pregnancy among woman. The pills which were invented much time back were identified with lots of side effects. For e.g. abrupt hair growth on face, disturbed menses, uncertainty in reproductive cycles, mood swings and many more. But the evolution with help of clinical research has wiped off the negative aspects of Birth control Pills to good extent. Now they are used with sense of confidence by majority of woman.
Pregnancy, STDs or infections; Oral pills are one stop solution for a safer sex. In common parlance Contraceptive pills are known as birth control Pills or simply oral pills. With times there has popped up variety of pills to control birth. When taken with prescribed instructions they are effective 99% of times. The mechanism behind contraceptive pills is there interference with hormonal patterns (estrogen and progesterone) so that sperm is obstructed to fertilize egg and hence ovulation doesn’t happen. The common patterns found in oral pills available in markets presently are as follows-
Combination Pills- Female reproductive cycles works with the reproduction of hormones viz. estrogen and progesterone. Combination pills are pills that contain both of them in varied combination.
Mini Pills does not contain estrogen hormone in combination with progesterone. It only contains progesterone and is recommended to woman who are on breast feeding
Emergency Pills also called as i-pill is a pill which can be consumed within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It is very effective and helps you resort the problem after having unwanted sex. Though it has been invented sometime back but has got apt recognition now with media campaigns. Unlike regular oral pills it can only be bought with the doctor’s prescription.
How doContraceptive Pills work?
Contraceptive pills functioning can be understood with their role with female reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. The combination pills contain both the hormones and restrain the entry of sperm by thinning the uterus lining and thickening the cervical mucous. Whereas, pills which contains only progesterone hormone inhibit the penetration of sperm to egg by thickening the cervical mucous only. The contraceptive pills are 99% effective if taken with proper instruction and are very healthy to use.
How to take Contraceptive Pills?
Pop up a pill each day and be relieved of all worries. It is as simple as that. Contraceptive pills are made up with hormonal constituents that are secreted by females. With reproductive cycle change along the month hormones are also secreted at different level. Combination pills are thus constituted in combination which is in accordance with functioning of both the hormones along the whole cycle of fertility in any woman. These pills come in a pack of 21 or 28 days. Irrespective of the pack category, pills are recommended to be started from fifth day of menses. You should have these pills each day. If you are using 28 pack than you have to consume pill in your menses also. That is to say no gap has to be sustained. But you have to eat them as instructed on wrapper. The last strip here does not contain any hormones and is in fact a reminder version. In case of 21 pack you have to consume pills for 3 week and you can resume new pack after gap of 1 week. The pills can be consumed at any time of the day. If you forget to have pill than eat it as soon as you remember it. If you forget it for one day, than eat two pills the next day. In case you forget it for 3 days or more discard the pack and use other methods (e.g. Condoms or diaphragm) or start with new pack from next cycle.
Precautions and Risk factors for Contraceptive Pills
Modern day oral pills have done away with major side-effects. However some side effects can still be felt among certain women. Some woman may feel nauseate or mood swaps in the beginning but this is something which can be adjusted with consequent cycles at the max by 3 cycles. Also the woman suffering from some underlying medical condition such as diabetes, kidney problems, depression, uterus fibrous growth, migraine, cardiovascular disease etc should consult doctor. Doctor should also be consulted if you are using other medication for disease. It is also found the woman who smoke and have Diabetes are least helped by these contraceptive pills. So they must consult their doctor and use other prevention methods.
In case you miss your menses while using birth control pills don’t panic but carry on your pills without any concerns. But if you missed it for more than one cycle than get yourself checked for pregnancy. Also if you have not used oral pills regularly and has missed the periods than get evaluated for pregnancy. Lactating woman can get affected as the milk volume decreases with the interruption in estrogen hormone. They should consult doctor and usually they are given a mini pill which contains only progesterone.
