Preparations containing artificial sex hormones are one of the most effective and modern contraceptive methods for women. The effectiveness of funds from an unwanted pregnancy, if properly used, reaches 99-100%. The effectiveness of such medications depends on the correctness of their choice.
Contraceptives for women - types of tablets
There are 2 types of drugs under consideration, each of which has its own peculiarities. Types of oral contraceptives:
- Progestin (mini-drank). Effectiveness - about 95-96%, are characterized by maximum safety.
- Combined (COC). Efficacy - up to 100%, have contraindications, sometimes cause negative side effects.
Mini-saws
Contraceptive pills in this group contain minimal doses of pure progestin (progestagen), which is a synthetic analogue of the sex hormone progesterone (produced in the ovaries). Oral contraception with minipill is prescribed for women who are not allowed to take standard COCs. Progestin drugs act on the body milder, but protect against unwanted pregnancy worse.
Combined oral contraceptives
The type of medication described includes both synthetic progesterone and an analogue of estrogen. Such contraceptive pills can be single-, two- and three-phase, depending on the dosage of hormones. COCs work with maximum efficiency, reaching 100%, but are not suitable for all women. It is dangerous to select them independently, the oral contraceptive of the combined group is individually prescribed by a gynecologist.
How do birth control pills work?
The mechanism of pregnancy prevention for mini-pili and COC is different. Basic principles explaining how the contraceptive pill with a pure progestin work:
- Concentration of mucus on the cervix. This prevents the passage of sperm to the egg.
- Changing the mucosa (glandular regression) lining the uterus. Even if the spermatozoon managed to "break through" and fertilize the egg, it can not attach itself.
- Slowing of peristalsis of fallopian tubes. Often, the egg dies before fertilization, before it reaches the mucosa.
Contraceptive pills of the combined type produce similar effects, but they also have additional effects:
- Suspend the release of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland;
- block the functions of the ovaries;
- prevent the onset of ovulation .
Contraceptive pills - which one should I choose?
The appointment of oral contraceptives is carried out by a qualified gynecologist. Only an experienced doctor can prescribe birth control pills - which are better for a particular woman, is determined on the basis of a set of criteria:
- age;
- hormonal background;
- constitutional-biological type (growth, duration of the menstrual cycle, severity of secondary sexual characteristics and other characteristics);
- bad habits;
- prior birth or abortion;
- concentration of sugar in the blood;
- presence of diseases of the reproductive system and endocrine pathologies;
- blood pressure level;
- body mass;
- skin condition;
- visual acuity;
- liver function;
- blood coagulation system work;
- presence of neoplasms in the organs of the small pelvis and mammary glands;
- sexual activity.
Most women are suitable combined birth control pills. If contraindications to their use are found, the doctor will recommend choosing another method of contraception, for example, mechanical (condoms, intrauterine device), or use mini-pili:
- Exluent;
- Charozette;
- Ovret;
- Continulin;
- Organometr and analogues.
Birth control pills after the act
This group of medications is prescribed in isolated cases, when it is necessary to interrupt the anticipated pregnancy urgently. These contraceptive pills are taken after intimacy (immediately). The earlier the use of emergency contraceptives is begun, the more effective will be their use. They provoke the death of a fertilized egg (chemical "micro-abortion").
The obsolete Postinor had to be accepted no later than 2 days after the unprotected intercourse, and better - in the first few hours. Modern drugs work softer and safer, but more effective. It is necessary to drink such contraceptive pills after the act within 3-4 days:
- Wife;
- NorLevo;
- Escapel;
- Mifegin;
- ElEva and analogues.
Monophase COCs
This form of birth control pills contains a constant ratio of progestogen and estrogen in each pill. The dose of hormones taken does not change depending on the period of the menstrual cycle. Advantages of the type of contraceptive in question are:
- affordable cost;
- universality;
- on the basis of many years of experience.
The best birth control pills from the group of single-phase COCs are often prescribed for the treatment of serious gynecological diseases:
- uterine fibroids ;
- polycystic ovaries ;
- endometriosis and other pathologies.
Popular single-phase birth control pills - titles:
- Logest;
- Janine;
- Silhouette;
- Femoden;
- Anova and analogues.
Two-phase COCs
This type of pharmacological agents was designed to approximate the amount of synthetic hormones taken to their physiological fluctuations in the female body during the menstrual cycle. In the contraceptive pills described, only the concentration of estrogen is unchanged. The dose of progesterone is different for the first and second half of the cycle.
What contraceptive pill from a two-phase group is prescribed by gynecologists:
- Femoston;
- Sequilar;
- Neo-Eunomine;
- Adepal;
- Bifazil and others.
Three-phase COCs
In each package of such preparations are 3 types of tablets containing different concentrations of hormones. Three-phase COCs of the latest generation are produced with a dosage of progesterone and estrogen corresponding to their natural fluctuations during certain periods of the menstrual cycle (follicular, luteal, ovulation). The presented approach to contraception can not be considered more effective than previous versions. Some women are more suited to mono- or biphasic agents.
Which contraceptive pills should be taken (from the group described):
- Milvanes;
- Three-Mercy;
- Three-Regol;
- Marvelon;
- Trisilete and analogues.
How to drink birth control pills?
All oral contraceptives are used almost identically. It is important that the intake of birth control pills strictly comply with the instructions to them and the recommendations of the gynecologist. Basic rules:
- The starting pill is taken on the first day of the onset of the menstrual cycle.
- Contraceptive pills should be drunk every day. In order not to forget about it, it is better to keep a pack in a place where a woman often peeps - a cosmetic bag, a cabinet in the bathroom, near the mirror.
- One day take 1 pill, preferably at a constant time.
- When the tablets in the blister are over (their number is 21-28 pieces), take a break for 7 days. During this week, there will be scarce bleeding, like menstruation. An exception are mini-pili, they should be drunk without interruption.
- At the end of 7 days, resume use of the contraceptive.
- If immediately after taking the pill, vomiting occurs, you need to drink one more. Within 24 hours it is important to additionally be protected by a condom .
- In case of missing the pill, it is advisable to take the next tablet a little earlier. Doubling the dose in this situation is impossible, only additional barrier contraception is recommended.
- When using other hormonal drugs in parallel, be sure to consult with a specialist.
Contraceptive pills - side effects
All negative accompanying phenomena are conditionally divided into 2 groups - small and serious. Hormonal contraceptive pills cause the following mild side effects:
- nausea;
- deterioration of appetite;
- headache;
- decreased sexual desire;
- bleeding from the vagina between menstruation;
- weight gain;
- dizziness;
- swelling of the lower extremities;
- flatulence;
- chloasma;
- rashes on the skin;
- puffiness and tenderness of the breasts;
- complete absence of menstruation;
- increased hair growth on the body;
- recurrent thrush ;
- photosensitivity.
Sometimes birth control pills lead to serious consequences:
- hemicranium;
- migraine;
- fainting;
- fallout of sites from the field of view, deterioration of its sharpness;
- glaucoma;
- hives;
- difficulty speaking;
- problems with the respiratory system (wet cough, expectoration of thick mucous sputum, wheezing);
- acute pain in the chest;
- blood pressure jumps;
- thromboses;
- phlebeurysm;
- digestive disorders;
- myalgia;
- jaundice;
- growth of cysts on the ovaries;
- pronounced and painful swelling of the legs in the calf area.
Contraceptive pills - contraindications
Some women are strictly forbidden to use oral contraceptives. In the case of COCs, it is not possible to drink birth control pills with HB (lactation), during pregnancy and for 1.5 months after childbirth. Other contraindications to combination drugs:
- cerebrovascular disease;
- pathology of the liver;
- herpes;
- Smoking, especially at the age of 35 and over;
- migraine of an unknown nature;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- bleeding from the genital tract;
- kidney damage;
- hypertension 2-3 degrees;
- prolonged immobility;
- cancer;
- overweight (exceeding 30% of the norm);
- diabetes;
- pathology of the blood coagulation system;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- bronchial asthma;
- Gilbert's syndrome;
- pigment retinitis and others.
When asked whether it is possible to drink birth control pills with pure progestin during lactation, doctors respond positively. Mini-pills have no effect on milk and generally have fewer contraindications:
- ectopic pregnancy in anamnesis;
- oncology;
- acute liver disease;
- pathology of the heart and blood vessels;
- idiopathic vaginal bleeding.
Cancellation of birth control pills
Progressive doctors can prescribe oral contraceptives for a very long period, calculated in years and even decades. For a long time, the reproductive system adapts to the intake of hormones from the outside, so after their cancellation, there may be mood swings, cycle instability, lower abdominal pain and other symptoms. They are not caused by contraceptive pills for women, but by the return of the body to natural functioning and preparation for fertilization. When the hormonal background stabilizes, such signs will disappear on their own.