Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills are oral contraceptives which are taken everyday in order to prevent pregnancy. This method is made of hormones like those in a woman's body. Taking birth control pills daily maintains steady levels of hormones. This helps to prevent pregnancy in different ways.

• 10 Common Misconceptions and Myths About Birth Control Pills

Oral contraceptives come in two forms:

• Progestin-only pills
• Combination birth control pills (contain estrogen and progestin)

They both work the same way by thickening the cervical mucus (this makes it hard for sperm to get through). Combination pills have the additional ability to prevent ovulation.

There is a new pill trend known as Extended Cycle Birth Control Pills. These pills like Seasonique, Lybrel and Seasonale allow you to control and decrease how many periods (withdrawal bleeds) you have each year.

• See: No More Periods: The Safety of Continuous Birth Control Pills

Though most birth control pills come in 28 or 21 day packs, there are two new combination birth control pills that have 24 active days of pills. These include:

• Yaz 28: the dosage regimen of YAZ is unique in that it contains 24 days of active hormones, followed by 4 days of placebo. These birth control pills may offer woman fewer hormone fluctuations than the traditional 21 days of active pills per 28 day cycle.
  
  
• Loestrin 24 Fe: was the first 24-day oral contraceptive approved in the US.

Reliability of Birth Control Pills:

The pill is a highly reliable and reversible contraception method.

• A safe method of birth control
  
  
• It is convenient
  
  
• May offer some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease (which, if left untreated, can cause infertility)
  
  
• Does not “get in the way” of having sex
  
  
• May lead to lighter periods
  
  
• Birth control pills can decrease menstrual cramps
  
  
• Could lead to more spontaneity
  
  
• The pill can help a woman time her period – as combination pills can be taken to change the timing and frequency of a period or delay a period altogether

• How To Skip Your Period Using Birth Control Pills

Estrogen and progestin pills provide many extra benefits. These include some protection against:

• Osteoporosis
  
  
• Iron deficiency anemia (which can result from having heavy periods)
  
  
• Ovarian cysts
  
  
• Acne
  
  
• Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
  
  
• Non-cancerous breast growths
  
  
• Ectopic pregnancy
  
  
• Excess body hair
  
  
• Premenstrual symptoms (such as depression or headaches)

According to Planned Parenthood, women who use birth control pills are only 1/3 as likely to get cancer of the ovaries or lining of the uterus (endometrium) as those who do not.

Protection against developing these cancers increases with each year of use, and it can last up to 30 years after stopping combination birth control pills. Plus, this protection increases with each year of use. For example, 6 years of combination pill use lowers the risk of ovarian or endometrial cancer by up to 60%.

The most recent research suggests that the pill has little, if any, effect on the risk of developing breast cancer.

A woman who uses birth control pills may experience some unwelcome side effects. The good news is that most of these side effects will go away by the second or third month of use. Oral contraceptive side effects may include:

• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Nausea (sometimes with vomiting)
• Bleeding between periods

Additionally, combination birth control pills may:

• Cause depression
• Change in sexual desire

Progestin-only birth control pills may lead to irregular spotting and bleeding (at least, more frequently than with combination pills).

A woman should talk to her health care provider if she is still experiences side effects from her birth control pills after three months as her prescription may need to be changed.

Women can take a birth control pill with an evening meal or at bedtime to help decrease nausea and/or vomiting. She should try not to stop taking the pill even if feeling really nauseous.

A woman should read the insert inside her specific pill pack for more detailed information about the use and risks of her birth control pills. Additionally, the insert should also explain when to take take your birth control pills.

Oral contraceptives can be a safe a contraceptive option for most healthly women. Additionally, some women with certain risk factors could still use birth control pills if they remain under close medical supervision. It is important that you discuss your complete medical history with your healthcare provider before beginning oral contraceptive use.

In general, serious problems do not occur very often with oral contraceptive use. Typically birth control pills are much safer than pregnancy and childbirth.

Women who use combination birth control pills may have a slightly greater chance of certain major disorders than nonusers. The risk increases:

• With women who smoke
• Being age 35 or older
• Having conditions associated with a heart attack (such as, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and conditions that increase the risk of blood clotting)

The most serious complication of combination birth control pill use has to do with having a blood clot in the heart, lungs, brain, or legs. Women using combination pills who are confined to bed rest or have a cast seem to have a higher likelihood of developing a blood clot. Women should inform their surgeons about their combination birth control pill use when planning a major operation.

Women with a history of depression may not be able to continue to take birth control pills if their depression worsens.

For more on Side Effects and Medical Complications: Combination Pills or Progestin Only Pills.

How to Obtain the Pill: In order to obtain a prescription for oral contraceptives, a woman has to have a medical evaluation, blood pressure check, and pelvic exam by a physician. Your health care provider will determine which type of birth control pills are best suited for you; typically, a doctor will prescribe a pill type that has the lowest amount of hormone needed to protect against pregnancy.

Costs Associated with Birth Control Pills: Oral contraceptives may be purchased at a drugstore or clinic as long as you have a valid prescription. Birth control pills usually come in monthly packs that cost anywhere around $15–$40 a month.

You should check with your private health insurance policy as coverage for birth control pills varies. Medicaid may sometimes cover these costs. In general, the charges from family planning clinics will usually be less than private health care providers.

Effectiveness of Birth Control Pills: Oral contraceptives are 92-99.7% effective. This means that with typical use, only 8 out of every 100 women will become pregnant during the first year of use. With perfect use, less than 1 will become pregnant.

Remember, taking the pill at the same time each day makes it more effective.

• Share Your Tip: How Do You Remember When to Take Birth Control Pills?

STD Protection: Birth control pills offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections.