As the first FDA-approved medicine designed to be taken by people who aren't sick, the contraceptive pill has evolved over the decades to keep up both with modern technology and the modern woman.
Contraceptive pills fall under the category of hormonal contraceptive methods, which use man-made, synthetic hormones to trigger changes in your body that prevent you from getting pregnant. Birth control pills work by preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg, thinning your uterus lining so that even if an egg is fertilized, it cannot become implanted, and by thickening the cervical mucus so that sperm is blocked from reaching an egg and fertilizing it.
Most pills are made from different combinations of estrogen and progestin, and are referred to as combination pills. There is another type of pill-- called a minipill-- that contains only progestin, and no estrogen. As consumers have become more cautious about the levels of artificial hormones, pills with lower dosages of hormones have recently become the most popular. Here is a brief lesson on “the pill” and some important factoids to help you make healthy reproductive choices.
How effective are pills?
Population studies have found that 8 out of 100 typical users of the combination pill (typical use refers to the real-life usage of the pill, including occasionally forgetting to take their pill on time, or skipping a day or two) will have an unplanned pregnancy within the first year of using the pill. Out of 100 women who take the pill exactly as directed, however, fewer than 1 will have an unplanned pregnancy. By comparison, barrier methods of birth control (such as condoms, spermicides, cervical caps, etc) show that out of 100 women using that method, 15 to 32 women end up with unplanned pregnancies, suggesting that the pill is more effective.
In that same population study, the methods that were more effective than contraceptive pills were surgery, hormonal shots, hormonal implants, and IUDs(intra-uterine devices). Additionally, in separate studies, the minipill has been shown to be about 95% effective.
Antibiotics have been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the pill, as do other drugs. Before deciding what contraceptive method is best, make sure to let your doctor know what medications you're taking, both prescribed and over-the-counter. If you're already on the pill and are seeing different specialists for other medical conditions, don't forget to inform all of them that you're taking contraceptive pills so that they can prescribe medications accordingly. It may also be a good idea to let a trusted pharmacist know you're on the pill if you change or begin new medications.
[previous|page|next]
Side effects
Besides effectively preventing pregnancy, the pill is sometimes prescribed for the treatment of the following conditions:
• irregular and heavy periods
• painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
• severe acne (for otherwise healthy women already seeking birth control). Note that only a few types of birth control pills have been FDA-approved for treating acne, so consult with your doctor.
• excessive hair growth
While clear skin, pain-free periods, and a more predictable cycle are all tempting reasons to take the pill, keep in mind that your estrogen and progesterone levels don't just affect your reproductive system. Like all other hormones, they are connected to the rest of your body, so that artificially changing their levels via the pill not only changes your cycle, but other aspects of your health as well, such as immunity, skin, and other body systems. Telling your doctor about your other health conditions before starting on the pill can help minimize the risk of adverse affects.
Most of the pill's side effects can be attributed to the increased levels of estrogen in the body. Having higher-than-normal estrogen levels in comparison to the rest of the hormones in the body is also referred to estrogen dominance, and prolonged use of the pill has been shown to leave women in an estrogen dominant state. There are both minor and major side effects to the pills:
Minor side effects reported:
• Migraines
• Mood changes
• Weight gain
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Irregular bleeding or spotting
Major side effects reported:
• Increased risk of breast, liver and cervical cancer
• Possibly reduced risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers
• Increased risk of blood clotting, heart attack and stroke (especially if the pill contains the hormone derivative desogestrel)
• Gall bladder disease
• Increased blood pressure (long-term use may increase build-up of plaque in arteries)
• Thinner bones (due to increased risk of lower bone mineral density)
Contraceptive pills are not recommended for women over the age of 35, especially those who smoke. Non-smokers over 35 are generally safe in taking other hormonal methods of contraceptions, but are advised to consult their physicians to find the safest alternative. Moreover, women with a history of blood clots in the lungs or extremities (arms or legs), serious heart and liver disease, and a history of breast or uterine cancer are not good candidates for the pill. If anyone in your immediate family has a history of any of the above-mentioned conditions, do inform your doctor, as you may be a better candidate for non-hormonal contraception.
[previous|page|next]
Every woman's body is unique. As such, it's difficult to rate contraceptives as being the best or worst overall. What may work wonders for one woman may cause constant migraines and depression for another. Your personal medical history, age, and lifestyle habits can all play a factor, so be sure to discuss all your concerns with your doctor, especially if you experience new and unusual symptoms after you begin use.
In no particular order, here are some of the commonly prescribed and used brands of oral contraceptives in the Philippines:
1. Althea
2. Diane
3. Trust
4. Yasmin
5. Yaz
6. Lady
7. Sophia
8. Logynon
9. Daphne
10. Mercilon
Frequently-Asked Questions
1. “Will the pill increase my chances of getting a stroke?”
Possibly. A US FDA-funded study led by the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research published the results of a study which found an increased risk of blood clots and blocked arteries among women on birth control pills containing the hormone drospirenone, a synthetic version of progesterone, that, unfortunately, is used in many combination hormonal contraceptives. The higher the chance of blood clotting and blocked arteries, the higher the chance of stroke. Be sure to do your homework and see which hormones and at what combinations the pill(s) you're thinking about taking contains. Remember, not all pills are created the same way and with the same “ingredients.”
2. “Will it increase my chances of getting breast cancer?”
According to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (USA), a number of studies suggest that current use of oral contraceptives appears to increase the risk of breast cancer, especially among younger women. However, it's believed that the risk goes back to zero about 10 years after the woman discontinues use. The prevailing explanation by which the pill is thought to affect cancer risk is that estrogen and progesterone have been found in some studies to influence the growth and development of certain cancers (including breast cancer).
The National Cancer Institute also points out that in addition to breast cancer, the pill has been found in some studies to be associated with increased cervical cancer risk as well as benign liver tumors. However, they are quick to emphasize that more studies are needed to confirm a direct, causal relationship between pill use and these cancers.
3. “Will it make me gain weight?”
Despite the fact that estrogen-dominant states tend to lead to weight gain, recent studies are showing that the pill does not directly cause weight gain. A long-term study of 1,749 women in Sweden found that women who were on the pill and who were monitored from their teenage years until the age of 34 did not put on more weight than their peers who were not taking the pill. This is one of several studies that have debunked the common notion that the pill makes women fat.
Another common misconception is that the effectiveness of the pill decreases in overweight or obese women. However, a 2010 study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology has found otherwise. The results of this study suggest that the pill is equally effective in women, regardless of weight.
4. “Can I still get pregnant even if I'm on the pill?”
Yes. No contraceptive method is foolproof, and the pill is certainly no exception. To optimize the prevention of unwanted pregnancy, it's important to mind the little details and take as many precautions as possible. For instance, always carry another form or contraceptive, in case you forget to take the pill; avoid intercourse on the days you're most fertile (when you're ovulating); refill your order well before you run out, so you don't run the risk of going a few days without the pill.
[previous|page|next]
5. “Will my chances of getting pregnant decrease even after I've stopped using pills?”
This question continues to spark heated debates between healthcare professionals. The studies are often conflicting, and with little more than anecdotal evidence to support each side, the answer remains to be seen. While some doctors contend that, depending on how long you've been taking contraceptives, your body may or may not be immediately ready to support full-term pregnancy, or that prolonged use may affect fertility in the long run, others say that that's a myth, and that you are able to successfully get pregnant as soon as you discontinue use and resume ovulation.
You're certainly welcome to start trying to have a baby as soon as you discontinue using the pill, but one thing to consider is that which most doctors can agree on: if you're looking to get pregnant, the best thing to do, regardless of which contraceptive method you use, is to give yourself at least 6 months to a year to prepare your body, by adopting a healthier lifestyle through a nutritious diet, a regular exercise routine, and eliminating stress from your life.
6. “How soon do birth control pills work?”
If you take the pills as directed, it should be effective immediately. It's also important to remember that the more closely you follow the instructions (i.e. taking it everyday at the same time, not skipping days, etc.), the more protection you'll receive. However, for added safety, doctors often advise their patients to use another contraceptive method at the same time during the first month of use, as the pills may work slower in some women than others.
7. “How soon after I give birth should I resume the pill?”
It depends on what pill you're taking and if you're breastfeeding (see below). If you've been taking a combined oral contraceptive (both estrogen and progestin), doctors advise waiting about 4 weeks postpartum, to reduce the risk of blood clot formation and embolism. Also, the earliest known time for a woman to resume ovulation is 27 days postpartum, so there's really no need to take the pill earlier than that. Most doctors recommend discussing fertility and sexual activity with your Ob-Gyne at the 6-week neonatal follow-up.
8. “Can I take the pill while I’m breastfeeding my newborn?”
Not if your pill contains estrogen (or any derivative thereof), which most pills do. The estrogen can interfere with the milk supply, and while there are no studies that show long-term effects of man-made estrogen exposure to the baby, some doctors prefer to stay on the safe side. The only pill that is recommended for breastfeeding is a progestin-only pill, and even with that, doctors recommend waiting at least 6 weeks postpartum before resuming. Additionally, since progestin-only pills aren't as effective in preventing pregnancy as the combination pills, it's imperative that you follow instructions to a tee. In many cases, doctors will allow you to resume estrogen/progestin pills once your baby is no longer exclusively breast feeding-- usually after 6 months-- so that, if the pill interferes with milk supply, the baby will have other food sources. Also, an older baby will be better able to metabolize excess hormones in the breastmilk.
Image from tagroom.com
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
