Master The Art Of How To Know More About Birth Control Pills With These 8 Tips

Birth Control Pills 

Birth Control Pills or Contraceptive Pills are an effective tool at preventing undesirable motherhood. The pills(tablets) have to be taken daily and contain two types of female hormones namely Estrogen and Progestin. They belong to the same types of hormones as produced by ovaries. These two pills are a combination of oral contraceptives. There are many types of contraceptive pills available in the market under various brand names. 

How Do These Pills Work?

The hormones in the pills suppresses the Pituitary gland which ultimately stops development and release of eggs into the ovary. The female cannot conceive as a result of absence of eggs in the ovary. Besides Progestin also changes the lining of the uterus and prevents male sperm from reaching the egg. Contraceptive pills containing only one type of female hormone Progestin are also in use. They are called 'progestin only pill' and works by stopping 'ovulation' and preventing male sperm from reaching the egg.

Is Pill Really Effective at Preventing Pregnancy?

Taking pills may be started any time during cycle. If a combination pill is used (estrogen and progestin) within 5 days after beginning of the monthly menstrual cycle, protection is almost 100 percent against pregnancy. The pill is regarded as one of the very effective methods provided it is taken daily at the same time. In case, one starts taking the pill any other time during the month, additional measures like condoms/diaphragm must be availed during sex.

Good Side Effects of Birth Control Pills :

• Menstrual Pain : Oral contraceptives(OC) prevent the growth of the endometrial lining  which sheds itself during monthly cycle. Less lining means lighter periods, therefore, less pain. Some pills for instance Seasonale and Seasonique may also reduce the number of periods per year leading to less discomfort and pain.

• Menstrual Migraines : Menstrual period is usually accompanies with a headache and heaviness. Usually all women taking contraceptive pills experience shorter periods leading to a shorter period of headache and heaviness. 

• Acne : Decreased levels of testosterone leads to decreased levels of acne. Some birth control pills contain Norgestimate which is a form of skin-friendly progesterone resulting in decreased levels of testosterone meaning less acne. 

• Less Risk of Ovarian Cancer : It has been established through research over the years that contraceptive pills reduce the risk of ovarian cancer considerably among women. Researchers from Havard Medical School found about 10 - 12 percent decrease in the risk of ovarian cancer amongst women who consumed OC for one year and almost 50 percent decrease in the risk who consumed OC(oral contraceptives)  for five years. Apart from this, cases of endometrial cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome and ectopic pregnancies are substantially reduced by oral contraceptives. 

Harmful Side Effects of Birth Control Pills :

• Blood Clot : One of the most serious risk of OC is that it raises the risk of blood clotting at least 3 times amongst women. Contraceptive pills raises the chances of blood clotting three times. Pregnancy and childbirth raise the chances 5 to 10 times. Still the situation may not be considered too serious, if other cardiovascular risks e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking are not present. In case one suffers frequent chest pain and swollen leg then medical supervision is required immediately. 

• Libido : OC reduces testosterone, a libido friendly hormone in two ways. First, OC stops production of testosterone. Second, liver produces a hormone named globulin which gloms onto sex hormones including testosterone. While OC reduces testosterone in almost all women, they lower the libido only in some. In case of other problems early doctor consultation is a must. 

• Irregular Bleeding : Irregular bleeding is known to be caused by hormones making the endometrial lining thinner and fragile due to use of low dose contraceptive pills. As a result, the lining becomes more susceptible to tear and falling out through bleeding. 

• Production of Milk : Pills containing estrogen brings down production of breast milk by up to 5 percent. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should go for progestin only pills and should avoid combination pills containing estrogen. 

• Other Symptoms : Headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, change of mood - all these symptoms usually happen when one has started using oral contraceptives(OC) and tend to go away after one has been using OC for a few months. If they don't then a change over to some other brand may help.  

Which Contraceptive Pills Should Be Used : Before going in for any birth control pills a medical consultation is always advisable. Only a doctor can prescribe the brand and its right dose for a woman. 

Is Pill Safe For All : Yes, the pill is safe for all women including teens. As said earlier, only a medical practitioner can prescribe the right pill and its dose after a thorough consultation with the patient about her medical history and family history. Only then a woman should start consuming 'birth control pill'.




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