There are numerous methods of birth control or contraception, including pills, patches, barriers (like condoms and diaphragms), and others to prevent pregnancy. One such well-known option is the ‘Daily Oral Contraceptive Pills’ or ‘Birth Control pills.’ These pills are consumed orally every day either for a certain amount of time with a break in between a pack of such pills or for a continued period till birth control is needed. They are an efficient way of birth control, with a 91% success rate. These pills contain a small dose of hormones that help to prevent pregnancy. What are the types of oral contraceptive pills? Birth control pills come in two types - progestin-only pills and combination pills. Both these pills include hormones that prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills can also offer relief from conditions like acne, hair loss, painful and heavy periods, etc. apart from preventing pregnancy. Let’s understand the types of birth control pills in detail: Combination pills: Combination pills include synthetic versions of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Menstrual cycles are controlled mainly by estrogen. Estrogen levels are highest in the middle of your menstrual cycle and lowest during your periods. After ovulation, progesterone causes the endometrium to thicken, preparing the uterus for pregnancy. High progesterone levels stop ovulation. Combination pills generally come in a 28-pack. Most of these pills taken during each cycle are active, meaning they contain hormones. The remaining pills are inactive, so they don't have any hormones inside them. There are various kinds of combination pills available. These are: Monophasic pills - These are given in 1-month cycles. Every active pill contains the same amount of hormone. You can take or miss the inactive pills during the final week of the menstrual cycle and still get your period. Multiphasic pills - These are given in cycles of 1 month and offer various hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle. You can take or miss the inactive pills during the last week of the menstrual cycle and still get your period. Extended cycle pills - Usually, these are given in 13-week cycles. You are required to take the active pills for 12 weeks. You can take or miss the inactive pills during the last week of the menstrual cycle and still get your period. Thus, if you take these pills, you will only menstruate three to four times a year. Progestin-only pills: Progestin-only pills (synthetic progesterone) contain only progestin and no estrogen. These pills are also known as mini pills. In women who have heavy periods, progestin-only pills can help reduce bleeding. They may be a good option for those who are unable to take estrogen due to medical conditions or other factors, such as deep vein thrombosis, a history of stroke, migraines with aura, heart disease, or peripheral vascular disease. If you smoke and are over 35, you should avoid estrogen because this combination can enhance your risk of having a blood clot. All pills in the cycle are active in progestin-only pills. Because there are no inactive pills, you may or may not get a period when taking progestin-only pills. What kind of birth control pills should I use? Not everyone responds well to all kinds of pills. Discuss which pill would be most effective for you with your doctor and also consider the following factors: Symptoms during your period - A progestin-only pill may be more effective than a combination pill if you have heavy bleeding. If you are breastfeeding - It is advisable to avoid birth control pills that include estrogen if you are breastfeeding. Your heart condition - Your doctor might suggest a progestin-only pill if you have a history of deep vein thrombosis, stroke, or blood clots. If you have other chronic health conditions - It might not be the best choice to take oral contraceptives if you have a persistent medical condition such as active breast or endometrial cancer, migraines with aura, or heart problems. Talk to your doctor, and make sure to share all of your medical histories. If you are taking any other medications - Combination birth control pills may not be the best option for you if you take antibiotics or herbal medicines. Birth control pills can also have some side effects on antiviral treatments and epilepsy medications, and vice versa. How do the daily oral contraceptive pills work? Oral contraceptives contain hormones that get released into your body. Additionally, these hormones prevent the release of an egg from the ovary (also known as ovulation). There is no possibility of you being pregnant if there is no ovulation since there will be no fertilisation (the meeting of a sperm and an egg). Additionally, the hormones in the pill thicken the cervix's mucus and serve as a barrier to stop sperm from swimming to the egg. This is how oral contraceptive pills help in preventing pregnancy. How effective are daily oral contraceptive pills? If you take the daily oral contraceptive pill regularly every day at the same time, it is 99% effective. However, since it is not always important that we do so, the effectiveness of both these pills is 91% in reality. In order to prevent your body from ovulating, you should take the oral contraceptive pill every day at the same time. By doing this, you will significantly lower your chances of becoming pregnant. What are the side effects of daily oral contraceptive pills? Although daily oral contraceptive pills contain certain risks and side effects, they are usually safe. Everybody is affected differently by the hormones in daily oral contraceptives. The frequently caused side effects of daily oral contraceptive pills are decreased sex drive, nausea, headache, spotting or bleeding between periods, breast soreness, abdominal cramping, and an increase in vaginal discharge. If you are having these side effects, they will likely go away within a few months after starting the pill. If they don't get better, you should consult a doctor. They may suggest that you try an alternative type of birth control like an intrauterine device (IUD), patches, vaginal rings, etc. Do daily oral contraceptive pills protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? It's necessary to keep in mind that daily oral contraceptive pills only prevent pregnancy, not sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is best to use condoms if you want to protect both you and your partner against STIs! Using condoms and the pill together will help you stay protected from STIs as well as unwanted pregnancy.
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