Birth control pills or oral contraceptives are one type of birth control. Other options include abstinence; fertility awareness or the rhythm method in which coitus is avoided during the time of ovulation; tubal ligation, also known as having the Fallopian tubes tied; vasectomy; barrier methods including condoms and diaphragms and devices for the uterus. Oral contraceptives are drugs that contain or mimic two of the body's natural hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen-Progesterone Pills
Oral contraceptives that contain both synthetic estrogen and synthetic progesterone are called combined oral contraceptives and have been available since 1960. They are considered to be highly effective, with a pregnancy rate of 0.1 percent among perfect users and 5 percent among the general population, according to an article in the "Journal of the American Pharmacists Association." Fertility is not diminished after discontinuing these medications, but normal ovulation might take several months. Brand-name oral contraceptives combine generic synthetic estrogens with generic synthetic progesterones. The two available estrogens include ethinyl estradiol, which is the most commonly used, and mestranol. The available progesterones include levonorgestrel, ethynodiol diacetate, drosperinone, desogestrel, norethindrone, norethindrone acetate, norgestrel and norgestimate.
Progestin Only Mini-Pill
Norethindrone has also been approved to be given without a synthetic estrogen. Similar to combined oral contraceptive pills, the progestin-only pill works by inhibiting the ovaries from releasing an egg, causes the uterus to change so that it is less likely to support a pregnancy, and thickens the vaginal mucus. It is safer for those who are breastfeeding, smokers, women older than 35 and those with obesity, high blood pressure or a history of blood clots. It is nearly as effective as combined oral contraceptive pills.
Other Delivery Methods
Oral pills are not the only available means for delivering these contraceptive hormones. Other methods include injectable forms of medroxyprogesterone acetate, etonorgestrel as an implantable device, norelgestromin as a patch and levonorgestrel on an intrauterine device, or IUD.
References
- "Journal of the American Pharmacists Association"; Oral Contraceptives: An Update on Health Benefits and Risks: Contraindications; Laura Borgelt-Hansen; 2001
- FamilyDoctor.org: Progestin-Only Contraceptives
- FamilyDoctor.org: Birth Control Options
