Birth Control Pills

Birth Control Pills:

They are pills taken daily to prevent pregnancy

How it works:
– Preventing ovulation.
Pills release hormones to:
– Thickening cervical mucus preventing sperms from reaching the uterus.
– Thinning your endometrium so it is harder for the egg to grow in it.

There are two types:
1. One type contains both estrogen and progestin hormones (combination pills). And it also comes in patches and vaginal rings.

2. Another type of pills that contain only progestin hormones. This type is an option for women who can not take estrogen for health reasons or during breastfeeding.

Advantages:
Easy to use, safe and not painful.

Combination pills:
How to use:
Take one pill everyday at the same time:
– If it comes in 21days monthly packs: start a new pack seven days after you finish the previous one.
– it comes in 28 days monthly packs: start a new pack once you eat the last pill from the previous pack.

They are effective if taken correctly.

In case you forgot to take your pill, take one once you remember even if you have to take two at the same time. Use another birth control method like male condoms for 7 days.

Disadvantages:
Possibility of:
– Spotting
– Nausea and vomiting
– breast pain
– Mood swings
– Skin irritation on application site in case of hormonal contraceptive patches use.
– Vaginal discharge increase in case of using the vaginal ring

Birth control pills mostly have no relation with cancer.
Birth control pills’ affect on weight gain is low.

Best to avoid using combination pills in case of:
a. Age greater than 35 and smoking. (more than 15 cigarettes a day)
b. Complicated valvular heart diseases
c. History of CVA
d. High blood pressure
e. Migraine with aura
f. History of blood clots
g. Current or history of breast cancer
h. Less than 6 week postpartum
i. Cirrhosis
j. Liver Adenoma or hepatoma
k. Nephropathy

L. Breastfeeding

You need to see your doctor in case of:
– Strong pain in stomach or chest
– unclear vision
– severe headache
– legs swelling

Combination Pills benefits:
– Make period regular
– Make period lighter
– Reduce period cramps
– Can prevent or reduce:
1. Acne
2. Breasts or ovaries cysts
3. Ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus infections
4. Anemia
5. Bone thinning
6. Ovarian and endometrial cancers
7. Premenstrual symptoms like headache and depression
8. Ectopic pregnancy

Progestin Only Pills:
They are birth control pills that contain only progestin hormones.

Progestin only pills are an option for the following cases:
– During breastfeeding
– In case of blood clots in legs or lungs
– Heard diseases or strokes
– Smoker and 35 year old and above

How to use:
Progestin only pills come with 28days monthly pack, take one pill everyday at the same time of the day. You might start your period on the fourth week or not depending on your body.

In case you forgot to take your pill at time, take one immediately even if you have to take two pills that day.

If you forgot to take your pill three hours from its regular time, it is better to use another birth control method like male condoms for at least two days.

After delivery:

• when started on day 21 after birth: effective immediately
• more than 21 days after birth: it is advised to use another contraception method like condoms for 2 – 7 days.

It is not allowed to use progestin only pills in case of:
– Breast cancer
– Liver diseases
– Treatment from tuberculosis

Side effects:
Most women do not experience any side effects, but if any, they are rare and go away by time:
– Bloating
– Headache and dizziness
– Vaginal discharge
– Spotting
– No period or prolonged period
– Acne
– Pain in breasts
– Mood swings
– Nausea and vomiting