Birth Control Pill

Types of Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills can be purchased under a variety of brand names and offering different chemical makeup and features. The two most common types of pills are those that offer a mixed of synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones and those that are progestin-based hormones only. The birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progestin prevent ovulation and also thicken the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for a man’s sperm to travel into the uterus. The progestin-based pills work primarily to thicken the cervical mucus. The pill creates an artificial period for the week or so that you aren't taking any of the hormones.

Another interesting feature about the different brands of pills is the number of pills included in a standard supply. Birth control pills are normally sold in compacts containing either 21 or 28 pills. This is done based on the average woman’s menstrual cycle, which includes 21 days between seven-day periods. Whether you purchase a estrogen/progestin compact with 21 pills or 28 pills, only 21 of those pills will contain the hormones that prevent pregnancy. These are taken during the days between your regularly schedule periods. The remaining seven pills in the 28-pill compact of combined estrogen/progestin pills are placebos. Many women prefer birth control pill compacts that include 28 pills because it keeps them in the habit of taking a pill every day, including during their period. During that same seven-day period, a woman using a 21-day supply of pills would not take a pill.

If the prescription is for progestin pills, which are sometimes referred to as minipills, your entire 28-day supply of pills will contain small doses for the hormone and should be taken daily without taking a break. A woman taking the minipill may or may not experience a monthly period.

You can also purchase birth control pills that decrease the number of menstrual periods to once every three months.

Effective Rate

The effectiveness is determined by how carefully you take your pills. They should be taken daily, at approximately the same time. Effectivensss also depends on whether you take the pills that contain a mixture of estrogen and progestin or just progestin. If you take a estrogen/progestin pill every day, without missing a day during each 21 day cycle, you can expect somewhere between 95-98% chance of remaining pregnancy-free. Since a progestin-based pill does not normally prevent ovulation, your chance of getting pregnant is a bit higher with the minipills.

Side Effects

Birth control pills are commonly considered safe, but some side effects have been reported, including:

• Blood clots
• Weight gain
• Mood changes
• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Breast tenderness
• Depression
• Jaundice

How To the Pill

You can only get the pill with a prescription from a health care provider or family planning health clinic. Your individual health needs will be evaluated for an appropriate method of birth control. There are some medical conditions that are counterindicated for birth control pill use. Some of these conditions are:

• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Pregnancy
• An abnormal growth or cancer of the breast

Certain other medical conditions will determine whether your health care provider recommends an estrogen and progestin pill or one that only contains progestin. Some conditions will require closer medical supervision while you are on the pill, and your health care provider will want to make sure none of your current medications will affect the pill's ability to provide adequate protection from pregnancy.

Cost

In many cases, the pill will be covered by your health insurance and will be subject to your normal deductible. However, if you must pay the cost yourself, you can look to spend $20 to $50 a month. You can also obtain birth control pills or other family planning methods, usually at a reduced rate, from a health department family planning clinic or other health clinic, such as planned parenthood.

How to take The Pill

It is very important to follow the directions your health care provider gives you for taknig the pill. The pill should be taken every day at approximatly the same time, and started at the beginning of a cycle, when you are having bleeding telling you you are on a period. If you miss some pills, use a back up method, continue the pills and contact your health care provider about how you should make up the pills. If you miss some pills you greatly increase your risks of getting pregnant. If you are having problems with your pills, such as bleeding, headaches or anything else that seems serious to you, please contact your health care provider for more guidance about what to do.

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