Birth Control Pill Comparison

The Types of Pills

Each pill is concocted from various hormones with the active pill-to-placebo pill ratio differing from type to type.

Progestin-only: As the name suggests, this pill has no estrogen in it. Women who breastfeed or cannot take estrogen benefit from this type. If you take a progestin-only pill, be sure to take it at the same time every day. This is especially important because progestin-only pills are slightly less effective than the combination pills that do contain estrogen.

Progestin-only pills include:

• Micronor
• Nor-QD
• Ovrette

Some of the benefits involve usability among breastfeeding women and smokers over thirty-five, less blood loss, fewer or less intense cramps, and the reversibility typically found with all birth control pills.

Disadvantages include breakthrough bleeding and the fact that they are slightly less effective than combination pills, so you need to be especially careful to take them at the same time every day.

Combination

• Monophasic pills don’t change the levels of progestin and estrogen that you receive throughout the course of a month, except for during the use of the placebo pills at the end of each packet.
• Multiphasic pills were created in an attempt to cut back on breakthrough bleeding that some women may experience on other types of pills. These include varying amounts of progestin and estrogen throughout the month.
• Continuous use pills are meant to prevent you from having a period at all. Each packet has twenty-eight pills inside, but all of them are active. As the name suggests, you take them continuously, never taking a break between packets.

Combination pills include:

• YAZ®
• Ortho-Tricyclen®
• Loestrin®
• Seasonale®
• Seasonique®
• Lybrel®
• Alesse®
• Mircette®

Some of the benefits to this type of birth control pill include a decreased chance of ovarian and endometrial cancers, decreased likelihood of ectopic pregnancy, regular cycles, reduced acne, decreases blood loss and intensity of cramps.

Disadvantages include nausea, headaches, blood clots, and breast tenderness.

Remember that not all side effects will occur in all women. Each woman reacts to the various types of pills differently.

Emergency Contraceptives: Do not use these routinely. They are for emergency situations only, when you've had unprotected sex or your method of birth control failed (a broken condom, for example). You don't need a prescription if you're over eighteen, though you will have to speak with the pharmacist and show your ID for age verification. This pill is to be taken within seventy-two hours of unprotected sex, but the sooner the better.

Emergency contraceptives include: Plan B

Birth Control Pill Comparison for Problems/Effects

Birth control pills get a bad reputation sometimes for their side effects like weight gain, mood shifts, nausea, headaches, and so on. However, you may not be familiar with the benefits that come with certain birth control pills. Here is a brief list of problems birth control pills may help clear up or prevent, though you should discuss your concerns with your doctor when you go in to talk about starting or switching to a pill:

The Bottom Line

You'll need a prescription to purchase birth control pills (unless you need Plan B), so you will of course have to speak with your doctor first. That being said, please do not hesitate to voice your concerns when it comes to taking the pill. Doing a bit of birth control pill comparison on your own before your appointment can help you work well with your doctor in determining the best option for you.

The doctor will be able to more easily choose a pill that will keep you happy and safe if he or she knows your history and the side effects or problems that concern you most. They may even be able to save you money in the meantime by offering free samples until you find the ideal birth control pill.