Every type of birth control pill has advantages and disadvantages. Although comparing side effects and benefits is useful, women should also consider their lifestyle when deciding which option is right for them. Women who talk to a health care provider about their medical background, current lifestyle and expectations for their birth control may have the greatest success of finding the oral contraceptive that is right for them.
Hormones
Combination birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. Different brands of combination birth control have different amounts of these hormones. Monophasic combination birth control pills contain the same amounts of estrogren and progestin in each active pill, while multiphasic pills have varying amounts of these hormones in each pill. Low-dose combination birth control pills contain lower amounts of estrogen, typically less than 50 micrograms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Pills containing progestin only also are available.
Effectiveness
Although all birth control pills can be over 99 percent effective when taken correctly, average failure rates are higher. The average failure rate for the combination birth control is about 8 percent, while the average failure rate for the progestin-only pill ranges from approximately 1 to 13 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic. Generally speaking, the more estrogen the oral contraceptive has, the more effective it will be, explains Harold J. DeMonaco, M.S. and Aetna InteliHealth contributor, but higher levels of estrogen also tends to increase risks of serious side effects. Women should always take oral contraceptives at the same time each day, regardless of the type of pill they are using, for maximum effectiveness. However, women who take the progestin-only pill need to be particularly conscientious about this, as taking one of these pills just three hours late can impair pregnancy protection.
Time Frame
Many oral contraceptives contain three weeks' worth of active pills and one week’s worth of reminder pills that do not contain hormones. Women will typically get their period during the week of the reminder pills. However, some brands of birth control have 24, 28 or even 84 active pills in a package. This allows women to have fewer periods or even suppress their period completely.
Benefits
Some oral contraceptives have additional benefits besides pregnancy protection. Combination birth control pills may reduce the risk of certain health problems, including ovarian cysts, cancer of the uterus and ovary, bone loss, pelvic infection, anemia, ectopic pregnancy, acne, benign breast disease and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It also may help women have shorter, lighter periods with less menstrual cramping. Progestin-only pills do not seem to produce as many health benefits as combination birth control pills, but do offer some protection against benign breast disease, pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer of the uterus and ovaries. However, progestin-only pills are a good option for women who cannot take estrogen or those who are breastfeeding.
Side Effects and Risks
The side effects of combination birth control pills include nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, decreased sex drive, mood changes, increased vaginal discharge, breakthrough bleeding and changes in contact lens tolerance. Women who take these pills also are at increased risk of heart attack, stroke, cervical cancer, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. Progestin-only pills, on the other hand, may cause irregular menstrual bleeding, depression, weight changes, ovarian cysts, headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, acne or fatigue. Women who take the progestin-only pill also have a slightly higher chance of having an ectopic pregnancy.
