To become pregnant, an egg is produced in the ovaries. It then drops down into the fallopian tubes, where male sperm fertilizes the egg. Birth control pills, also called "the pill," are a type of oral contraception designed to stop this process from taking place.
Effectiveness
The pill is an effective means of contraception, according to Planned Parenthood. If women take the pill every day as directed, statistics indicate that less than 1 out of every 100 women will get pregnant. Even if they do not take the pill as directed, only 8 out of 100 should get pregnant.
Function
Birth control pills are only available through prescription and come in two different forms. Progestin-only pills contain the female hormone "progestin." Combination pills contain both progestin and another female hormone called "estrogen." When using the pill, ovulation stops and cervical mucus thickens to block sperm.
Varieties of Pills
You can take the pill several different ways. With 28-day pills, you take one pill that contains hormones at the same time every day for 21 days. During the seven days you have a period, you use a placebo. With 21-day pills, you take one pill every day at the same time for 21 days and no pills for seven days. After your period, you repeat the process. Extended-use pills are taken for 91 days straight. For the first 84 days, you take pills that have hormones in them. For the last seven days, you use a sugar pill as a placebo. Using this type of pill enables you to have only four periods per year.
Considerations
When you first start taking the pill, you can go about it a few different ways. You can begin using them on the first day of your period, the Sunday after the beginning of your period or you can start taking them the same day your doctor prescribes them to you. Once you start taking the pill, you need to stick with it. You should take them every day and not skip any.
Effects
The main purpose of the pill is to prevent pregnancy. They can also present advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages include shorter periods, less menstrual blood loss, protection against ovarian cysts and improvement of acne. Possible side effects could include tender breasts, nausea, vomiting and bleeding between periods.
Some factors increase the risk of side effects. If you are 35 or older, if you are overweight, have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, if you smoke or if you are predisposed to a disorder that causes blood clotting, you are more prone to suffer side effects.
Complications
Certain medications will make the pill less effective. The same can be said for the pill reducing the effectiveness of other drugs you are taking. These include rifampin, which is an antibiotic, griseofulvin, which is an antifungal, theophylline, which is a bronchodilator, and carbamazepine, barbiturates, topiramate and Phenobarbital, which are anti-seizure medications.
Conditions the Pill Treats
Birth control pills are also used to treat for other conditions, especially with young women who have irregular menstrual cycles, cramps, endometriosis and acne.
Member Comments