Oral contraceptives, also called birth control pills or simply the Pill, are prescription medications taken by a woman to prevent pregnancy. If taken properly, oral contraceptives are one of the more effective forms of birth control, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, but there are some health risks associated with their use and they aren't appropriate for every woman.
History
The activist Margaret Sanger was an early proponent of birth control in the United States. Sanger created the first birth control clinic in New York in 1916 and fought against the Comstock Act, which outlawed birth control.
In the 1950s, Sanger discussed the possibility of an oral form of birth control with scientist Gregory Pincus. With funding from heiress Katharine McCormick, Pincus and his colleagues developed the first birth control pill, Enovid, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1960.
Function
Oral contraceptives contain synthetic versions of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which occur naturally in the body. The hormones in birth control pills prevent ovulation so that eggs are not released from the uterus; alter the lining of the uterus so that eggs cannot develop; and thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from traveling to the egg.
Types
A birth control pill that contains both estrogen and progesterone, which is called progestin in its man-made form, is often called a combination pill, while a progestin-only pill is sometimes referred to as the mini-pill or POP.
Features
Most birth control pills come in packs of 28, with each pill to be taken once per day at the same time. In combination pills, the first 21 pills contain active hormones, while the last seven pills are inactive, and are taken during the week that the woman's period occurs. By contrast, progestin-only pills are taken every day, with no breaks between active pills.
Time Frame
Women usually start taking the combination pill on the first Sunday after their period begins; for the first week using the pill, MayoClinic.com states that a back-up method of birth control is needed while the body adjusts to the hormones. If the mini-pill is taken on the first day of the period or within five days of its start, a back-up method may not be necessary, MayoClinic.com reports.
Considerations
The estrogen in combination pills increases the risk of blood clots and stroke, particularly in women over age 35 and heavy smokers. Estrogen can also reduce the amount of breast milk produced, so the combination pill isn't recommended for women who are breastfeeding.
Progestin-only pills contain low doses of hormones and do not have the same health risks as combination pills, making it a better choice for women with certain conditions. However, the mini-pill is less forgiving than the combination pill when it comes to missing pills. If the progestin-only pill is taken more than three hours late, pregnancy can occur if a back-up birth control method isn't used.
Member Comments