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The effectiveness of hormonal contraception is estimated at over 99%. Sometimes, however, a woman becomes pregnant despite taking the pills. It is not enough to take tablets regularly, you still have to follow a few rules.
Birth control pills are more effective than spermicides or condoms. The risk of getting pregnant despite using contraception is assessed on the basis of the so-called Pearl Index. The lower its value, the lower the risk of pregnancy. For a condom it is 3,0; for combined contraceptive pills – 0,001, which means that in a year among 100 women using this method – as the only one – only one became pregnant, most often as a result of irregular pill taking. – Women do not always remember to take a pill, and then forget that they forgot to take it – says prof. Romuald Dębski Head of the II Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Bielański Hospital in Warsaw. Research shows that as many as 000% of women who use pills admit to taking them irregularly.
With vomiting, hormonal contraception will not work
Jacek Tulimowski, a gynecologist, warns that there are situations in which the contraceptive pill, although taken at the correct time, may not work. This does not mean that it is ineffective. – If the woman has symptoms of food poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, and before swallowing a pill, she must know that it will not have the expected effect, because it has not been absorbed in the right amount – explains the doctor. She recommends that you use a condom until the next cycle begins. Gynecologists also warn against alcohol abuse, which may make you vomit and reduce the contraceptive effect of the pill.
Dr. Tulimowski also recommends caution to women who drink herbal teas, e.g. from St. John’s wort. “The pill won’t work because St. John’s wort changes her metabolism,” she explains. He also adds that you should always ask your gynecologist if the herbs and dietary supplements you use have an effect on the effectiveness of contraception.
You forgot to take a pill and you don’t know what to do? Do you have doubts whether contraception works? Or maybe you need to extend your prescription or change the method of hormonal contraception?Talk to an online gynecologist and find out the answers to the most important questions. You can get an e-prescription during your visit
Caution when losing weight with hormonal contraception
Malfunction of the contraceptive pill may also be the result of drugs and slimming preparationswhich reduce absorption. Then the contraceptive pill will not be absorbed in the right amount either. It should also be remembered that many drugs, e.g. strong antibiotics, psychotropic and antidepressant drugs, antifungal drugs, diuretics, strong sleeping pills and sedatives, may interfere with the effect of pharmacological contraception. – The contraceptive pill may also not work in patients who chronically use anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs – says Dr. Tulimowski.
Even widely used paracetamol may make the tablets less effectiveespecially when the recommended dose is exceeded. Therefore, you should always ask your gynecologist whether the medications you are taking have an effect on the contraceptive pill. If so, you will need extra protection when taking them, preferably a condom.
Follow the rules for using hormonal contraception
Doctors also warn against drinking the pill with grapefruit juice. The substances in these fruits affect the way our body metabolizes certain medications. The absorption of drugs may also impair the intake of medicinal charcoal. The interval between taking it and swallowing the tablet must be at least four hours.
If you want to start using hormonal contraception, do the Awareness Woman genetic test before contraception. The test allows to identify gene mutations that should be taken into account when choosing contraception.
For women who follow the rules of taking contraceptive pills, they are one of the most effective methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy, allowing for spontaneous sex. Importantly, this method is fully reversible, because the return to fertility occurs immediately after discontinuation of the tablets, although the first cycles may be non-ovulatory. In addition, birth control pills reduce the discomfort of premenstrual syndrome, the abundance and painful periods. They can reduce the risk of developing uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.
– Modern hormonal drugs used for a long time reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer – says prof. Romuald Dębski. However, it is important to remember that they cause side effects in some people and may increase the risk of certain cancers. In addition, they do not protect against HIV and STIs. Prof. Dębski adds that they can also be dangerous for smokers.
– Smoking cigarettes and taking hormonal contraceptives increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases – says prof. Mariusz Bidziński, a specialist in oncological gynecology, emphasizes that modern contraceptive drugs are safe provided that the woman visits the gynecologist regularly, at least once a year.
In addition to using hormonal contraception, it is worth taking extra precautions – at Medonet Market you will find Skyn and Durex condoms.