Contraceptive pills – action, types and side effects [WE EXPLAIN]

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Birth control pills are one way to prevent pregnancy. Choosing the right form of contraception requires a thorough medical history, and sometimes even diagnostic tests. Different pills are offered to women who smoke, and different ones to acne. Therefore, the most effective and safest way to prevent pregnancy should be chosen together with the doctor.

There are many methods of contraception. Hormonal pills also differ in composition and mechanism of action.

Hormonal contraceptive pills – what is it?

The contraceptive pill, hormonal pill or contraceptive pill is a preparation that is used orally to block ovulation, as well as to change the consistency of the cervical mucus so that it does not leak sperm into the egg. Contemporary contraceptive pills have become one of the more popular and more frequently used forms of contraception. A particular advantage of contraception is its high effectiveness. Contraceptive pills contain synthetic hormones that are the equivalents of female sex hormones. They are divided into single-component and two-component agents. Taking contraceptive pills is not indifferent to the woman’s body, so before using them, some basic tests should be performed. Among diagnostics recommended before hormonal contraception lists:

1. blood tests for liver parameters and coagulation factors;
2. cytology;
3. ultrasound examination of the breast;
4. hormonal tests (if there are menstrual disorders).

Are birth control pills effective? Check: Contraception – birth control pills and their effectiveness

Contraceptive pills – history

For many centuries, the search for methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy has been the subject of research, but also of folk superstitions. Before medical methods of contraception appeared, specific herbal mixtures were used. However, the greatest progress in the field of contraception came after the discovery of two hormones: estrogen and progesterone, the presence of which was decisive in intercourse at different stages of the menstrual cycle. Scientists have noticed that women do not become pregnant when progesterone is dominant in their cycle. Its synthetic version turned out to be decisive in the development of hormone contraceptive therapy. The first hormonal pills appeared in American pharmacies in the early 1966s. In Poland, contraceptive pills went on sale in XNUMX. Currently, there are several dozen contraceptives from various manufacturers available on the contraceptive market, which at the same time makes it very difficult to choose the right ones for a given woman.

You can read about other methods of contraception here: Contraception methods – what should you know?

Estrogen and progesterone – the role of hormones in contraception

Estrogen and progesterone are two of the most important female hormones.

Estrogens in contraception – estrogens are female hormones that are produced in the ovaries. Estrogen levels increase in the first phase of the menstrual cycle. These hormones significantly affect femininity, because they are responsible for the transformation of a girl into a woman. This means that estrogens play a key role in sexual maturation as well as in the onset of menstruation. Estrogens are hormones that influence the development of the female figure, i.e. the shape of the hips or breasts. Estrogens also make the skin supple, taut and hydrated. When there is not enough estrogen in a woman’s body, problems with menstruation appear, which in turn reduces the chance of becoming pregnant. On the other hand, when there are too many of them, a woman may gain weight quickly, feel nauseous or complain of malaise. The estrogen in birth control pills is responsible for blocking the maturation of the ovarian follicles and preventing ovulation. In addition, synthetic estrogen in tablets improves the condition of the skin and hair, enlarges the breasts, stores fat in the hips, prevents osteoporosis, retains water, causes a slight increase in body weight and increases the risk of gallstone disease.

Progesterone in contraception – it is, next to estrogen, the second important sex hormone that causes women to have a regular menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels increase in the second phase of the cycle. Progesterone is a hormone necessary for ovulation to occur. The role of this hormone is to prepare the uterus to implant an egg in it and then to maintain the pregnancy. When a woman has too little progesterone in her body, menstruation becomes irregular and can sometimes be very heavy. Conversely, when a woman is pregnant, low progesterone levels may be responsible for a miscarriage. Low levels of this hormone usually occur when a woman is struggling with ovarian failure.

What is worth knowing about the hormonal economy of women? Read: Hormones Important for Women

Contraceptive pills – types

There are four types of contraceptive pills, each with a different hormone content. As a result, each type of contraception is intended for women of different ages and with different needs. The contraceptive pills include:

1. single-component contraceptive pills, the so-called mini-pills – these tablets are recommended for nursing women. They do not inhibit ovulation. The package contains 28 tablets that should be taken daily;
2. two-component monophasic contraceptive pills – these are the pills most often recommended and prescribed by gynecologists. These pills are usually taken for 21 days. Some manufacturers sell 28-pill packets, with the other seven serving as placebo;
3. two-component two-phase contraceptive pills – taking these tablets is divided into two stages. In the first part of the cycle, tablets of one color are used, and in the second part – tablets of the second color. The former contain only estrogens, while the latter additionally contain progestins;
4. three-phase two-component contraceptive pills – the package contains tablets in three colors. The highest concentration of estrogens is found in the tablets from the second part of the pack, while the highest concentration of progestogen is in the third part.

In order to properly select hormonal contraception, it is worth performing a genetic test of the Aware Woman before contraception. This test will identify gene mutations that may affect the effectiveness and safety of contraception.

Does contraception affect pregnancy? Check: Contraception and pregnancy. How Does Contraception Affect Pregnancy?

One-component contraceptive pill

The single-ingredient pills contain only progestin – the synthetic equivalent of progesterone. However, they do not contain estrogen. They work by inhibiting ovulation, increasing the viscosity of the cervical mucus to make it less permeable to sperm and preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. The use of the combined pill is very safe, but as with the combined contraceptive pill there are some contraindications. The effectiveness of this form of contraception is high, but requires regular tablet intake. This method of contraception is especially recommended for nursing women, as the single-component pills do not contain estrogen to inhibit lactation. They are also suitable for use by young women under 25 years of age. They are also often prescribed to teenagers. The benefits of taking single-component pills are also felt by women who do not tolerate high doses of hormones in two-component preparations.

What is the Pearl Index in contraception? Check: Pearl Index, or how effective is a given method of contraception?

Combined contraceptive pill

Combined contraceptive pills contain two types of female sex hormones: progestogen and estrogen. The former inhibits ovulation and reduces the permeability of mucus to sperm, hinders the transport of the ovum into the uterine cavity, and alters the uterine mucosa so that implantation of the embryo is impossible. Estrogen stops the maturation of the follicle in the ovary. Unfortunately, not all women can use this method of contraception. Contraindication is overweight and obesity, as well as diabetes with complications and cancer of the breast, ovaries, uterus and rectum. People suffering from severe migraines with aura should also give up taking the combined pills, because they can aggravate attacks. Also, smoking women over 35, if they do not intend to quit smoking, must opt ​​for a different form of contraception.

The estrogen in the contraceptive pill increases clotting

The estrogen in the pill may make the blood clot more easily. If a woman suffers from thrombosis, high blood pressure or heart disease, she should use a different type of contraceptive; also if these diseases appeared in the immediate family before the age of 45. In such people, estrogen may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke and heart attack. The risk is not great, but should be assessed by a physician. Estrogens, on the other hand, have a stabilizing effect on the endometrium, thus preventing bleeding, which may be important for women suffering from iron deficiency anemia.

Contraceptive pills after childbirth

Combined contraceptive pills can be started after childbirth, but only if you are not breastfeeding. The tablets start to run three weeks after the baby is born. Their protective effect against unplanned pregnancy will begin immediately. If you start taking the tablets later than 21 days after having a baby, you will need to use extra protection, such as a condom, for the next seven days. For nursing mothers, a one-ingredient pill that contains only progestin will be a perfect solution. A small amount of it may pass into your milk, but it is not harmful to your baby. It also does not affect food production. You can start taking the single-pill pill at any time during the puerperium, regardless of the onset of menstruation. It should be remembered that the contraceptive effectiveness of a progestogen is closely related to its regularity. The tablets should be taken with the accuracy of the hour. There are no breaks while taking them.

Contraception for smokers

Single-component contraceptive pills can be taken by women who have a medical history of a higher risk of thrombosis, as well as women who smoke after 35 years of age. Contraindications include diseases of the liver, heart, breast, ovarian, uterine and rectal cancer, vaginal bleeding of unknown origin and ovarian cysts. Some studies show a possible increased risk of breast cancer associated with the use of the combined pill. These studies suggest that women using any type of oral hormonal contraceptive may have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer compared with women who do not use contraception. However, within 10 years after stopping the pill, the risk returns to normal and is the same as in women who have not used these forms of contraception.

Contraceptive pills – side effects

Some women experience breast enlargement and tenderness, and weight gain while taking the combined pill. Some women complain of mood changes, headaches and gastritis, as well as an increase or decrease in libido. It also happens that acne worsens or appears. These side effects most often only occur during the first few months of using the combined pill and will wear off over time. They should disappear completely after a few months. Remember that the best form of contraception should be chosen by the doctor together with the patient. It is important to inform him about all illnesses and diseases that bother us.

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.