Birth control pills are a reliable means of preventing unwanted pregnancies. The likelihood of it when taking such drugs is less than 1%.
Types and features of oral contraceptives
The peculiarity of this method of contraception is the regularity of taking the pills. You cannot skip them, otherwise their effectiveness will be significantly reduced.
If you follow all the instructions on the package, it is almost impossible to get pregnant. Research in this area shows that out of 10,000 women who took oral contraceptives, only one became pregnant. And, even if the woman forgot to take the pill, the chance of getting pregnant is 1 in 100.
When vomiting, the absorption of the drug may be incomplete, which affects the effect.
Oral contraceptives are hormone-based. They suppress the ovulation process. After that, the egg is not able to fully mature, which means that pregnancy is impossible.
Types of oral contraceptives
Modern means of preventing pregnancy are divided into three groups:
Postcoital drugs
The pills of this group are taken immediately after sexual contact. They contain a large number of hormones, so they have many side effects such as vomiting, nausea, and dizziness. It is best to use these contraceptives as little as possible, only in the most exceptional cases. They need to be taken no later than 72 hours after having sex.
Progestational drugs
Means of this type can be used when a woman is breastfeeding. They do not affect the quality of lactation. They do not increase blood pressure, which is often the case when a woman is just starting to take contraceptive pills. Progestational agents can be used regardless of age.
The disadvantage of these pills is that they need to be taken at the same time every day. Otherwise, the desired effect will not be achieved.
Combined oral contraceptives
The effect of these contraceptives is based on the action of two hormones: estrogen and progestogen. Combined oral contraceptives prevent the release of the egg from the ovary so that they suppress ovulation. Thanks to this, conceiving becomes impossible.
The drug thickens mucus in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to enter. And also there is a change in the endometrial mucosa, therefore, even if conception has occurred, the fertilized egg will not be able to attach to the wall of the uterus.
These drugs have a therapeutic effect: the menstrual cycle becomes regular, pain during menstruation disappears, and the risk of cervical cancer decreases.
The tablets are suitable for women in long-term relationships: the spontaneity of sexual relations is not disturbed. The couple does not need to be distracted by contraception.
Contraindications for taking oral contraceptives
Before taking oral contraceptives, you need to consult a gynecologist. The pills have a number of contraindications that cannot be ignored:
- pregnancy;
- damage to the vessels of the brain;
- malignant tumors (especially the reproductive system and breast);
- impaired liver function;
- cirrhosis;
- severe depression;
- psychosis;
- epilepsy;
- bronchial asthma;
- severe hypertension;
- sickle cell anemia;
- diabetes;
- rheumatic heart disease;
- hyperlipidemia;
- phlebeurysm;
- kidney disease;
- thrombophlebitis;
- bleeding from the genital tract;
- calculous cholecystitis;
- obesity.
If a woman has such a diagnosis, she must inform the doctor about it before prescribing contraceptives. If you are undergoing any further treatment, tell your doctor that you are using hormonal drugs. He will prescribe medications that are compatible with them.
You shouldn’t choose birth control pills yourself. The doctor will tell you which products are right for you. They contain hormonal substances, so take your choice seriously.
Side effects
Oral contraceptives have possible side effects and possible complications that can occur after taking them. They can occur due to a violation of the estrogen-gestagenic balance, an overabundance or lack of hormones in a woman’s body.
Side effects from oral contraceptives are divided into estrogen-dependent and gestagen-dependent.
Estrogen-dependent complications include:
- sickness;
- increased sensitivity of the mammary glands and their possible increase;
- weight gain (may occur due to fluid retention in the body);
- increased vaginal discharge;
- ectopia of the columnar epithelium of the cervix;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- leg cramps;
- irritability;
- bloating;
- hypertension and thrombosis
Gestagen-dependent side effects include:
- pain in the mammary glands;
- slight breast enlargement;
- weight gain due to increased appetite;
- depression;
- decreased libido;
- increased fatigue;
- acne;
- greasiness of the skin;
- neurodermatitis;
- rash and itching;
- headache;
- decreased menstrual flow;
- vaginal candidiasis and cholestatic jaundice.
Side effects do not always appear. All possible complications are purely individual. If the contraceptive drug is right for your body, there may be no side effects.
