David Cohen, M.D.·Published 21 August 2004·8 min read
Key points
"The Pill" is the common name for oral contraception.
You must see a clinician to tell whether you can take the Pill and what dosage is right for you.
Many women who take the Pill have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods.
Alesse usually contains two types of hormones, estrogens (ES-troh-jenz ) and progestins ( proh-JES-tins) and, when taken properly, prevents pregnancy.
THE BASICS
"The Pill" is the common name for oral contraception. There are two basic types - combination pills and progestin-only pills. Both are made of hormones like those made by a woman's ovaries. Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin. Both kinds of pills require a medical evaluation and prescription.
Both pills can prevent pregnancy. But they work differently. Combination pills usually work by preventing a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). Progestin-only pills also can prevent ovulation. But they usually work by thickening the cervical mucus. This keeps sperm from joining with an egg. Combination pills also thicken cervical mucus.
Taking the Pill daily maintains the level of hormone that is needed to prevent pregnancy.
EFFECTIVENESS The Pill is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control. Of 100 women who use the Pill, only eight will become pregnant during the first year of typical use.* Fewer than one out of 100 women will become pregnant with perfect use.**
* "Typical use" refers to failure rates for use that is not consistent or always correct. "Perfect use" refers to failure rates for use that is consistent and always correct.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Certain herbs and medicines, including the antibiotic rifampin, certain drugs used to control seizures, anti-fungals (for yeast infections), or anti-HIV protease inhibitors may make the Pill less effective. Vomiting and diarrhea may also keep the Pill from working. Ask your clinician for advice. Until you are sure, use an additional method of birth control.
It is very important to remember that the Pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Use a latex or female condom along with the Pill for protection against infection.
GETTING THE RIGHT PILL
You must see a clinician to tell whether you can take the Pill and what dosage is right for you. The clinician will discuss your medical history with you, check your blood pressure, and give you any other medical exam that may be needed.
If the Pill is right for you, you likely will be given the lowest amount of hormone needed to protect you against pregnancy. Your clinician will adjust the prescription if you continue to experience side effects after a few months. Be sure to have checkups at least once a year. Your prescription may need to be changed as your health needs change. See your clinician right away if any problem develops. Remember to tell any other clinician you may see that you take the Pill.
SOME BENEFITS
Taking the Pill is simple, safe, and convenient. Many women who take the Pill have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods. The Pill does not interfere with having sex. Many women say the Pill has improved their sex lives. They say they are free to be more spontaneous and do not have to worry about becoming pregnant. The Pill offers many health benefits, including some protection against
infection of the fallopian tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease), which often leads to infertility
ectopic pregnancy
noncancerous breast growths
ovarian cysts
cancer of the ovaries
cancer of the lining of the uterus
troublesome menstrual cramps
iron deficiency anemia that results from heavy menses
acne
premenstrual symptoms, as well as related headaches and depression
excess body hair
vaginal dryness and painful intercourse related to menopause
In fact, protection against developing cancer of the ovary or the lining of the uterus (endometrium) can last up to 30 years after stopping the Pill. Protection against both of these types of cancer increases with each year of use:
Eight years of pill use reduces the risk of endometrial cancer by up to 80 percent
Ten years of pill use reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 80 percent The Pill may offer some protection against osteoporosis. SOME RISKSAs with all drugs, there may be some undesirable side effects for some women taking the Pill. However, the Pill is much safer than pregnancy and childbirth for healthy women? except among smokers age 35 and older. Some side effects that usually clear up after two or three months of use include
bleeding between periods
weight gain or loss
breast tenderness
nausea ? rarely, vomiting
changes in mood
Nausea and vomiting often can be reduced or eliminated by taking the Pill with the evening meal or at bedtime. (Do not stop taking the Pill if you feel sick to your stomach.) Irregular spotting and bleeding happen more frequently with progestin-only pills than with combination pills. Other possible side effects include
headache
change in sexual desire
depression
Serious problems do not occur very often. Pill users have a slightly greater chance of certain major disorders than nonusers. The most serious is the possibility of blood clots in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain. Women on the Pill who undergo major surgery seem to have a greater chance of having blood clots. Blood clots in the legs occur with increased frequency for women and men who
have one or both legs immobilized
are confined to their beds
It is important to stop taking the Pill about four weeks before a scheduled major operation. Do not start again while recuperating or while a leg or arm is in a cast. Rarely, women who take the Pill develop high blood pressure. Very rarely,liver tumors, gallstones, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) occur in women who take the Pill. More detailed information about the use and risks of the Pill is provided in an insert included with each pill pack. THE PILL AND BREAST CANCERMost experts agree that taking the Pill does not increase the overall risk of developing breast cancer? no matter how long a woman takes the Pill or even if she has a close relative with breast cancer. You should not take the Pill if you
smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day and are 35 or older
have uncontrolled high blood pressure
have a history of blood clots or vein inflammation
have unexplained bleeding in your vagina
have had an abnormal growth or cancer of the breast or uterus
have a severe liver disease or have had growths of the liver
have certain conditions associated with diabetes mellitus
think you might be pregnant
have a history of heart attack or stroke
have a history of migraine headaches plus aura
Some women can take the Pill under close medical supervision if they are very overweight or have
a high risk for heart disease
slightly high cholesterol or slightly increased blood pressure
a seizure disorder that requires taking anticonvulsant medication
a certain cancer of the nervous system called meningioma
For most women with these conditions, the risks of pregnancy are more dangerous than those of the Pill. Women with a history of depression may not be able to continue to take the Pill if it worsens the problem. EARLY WARNING SIGNSSerious problems usually have warning signs. Watch for them. If one occurs, report it to your clinician as soon as possible. These warning signs include
sudden or constant pain or redness and swelling in the leg
pain in the abdomen, chest, or arm
sudden shortness of breath or spitting up blood
eye problems such as blurred or double vision
worsening depression
yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
PREGNANCY AND THE PILLThere is a very slight chance that you will become pregnant even if you take the Pill. However, a missed period does not always mean you are pregnant, especially if you have not skipped any pills. But see your clinician if you miss a second period. It is unlikely that taking the Pill during early pregnancy will increase the risk of defects in the fetus. However, the likelihood of tubal pregnancy is greater if you become pregnant while taking the progestin-only pill. If you want to become pregnant, stop taking the Pill. If you want to plan the timing of your pregnancy, use another form of birth control until your period becomes regular. It usually takes about one to three months for your period to return to the cycle you had before taking the Pill. After childbirth, your clinician can help you decide when to take the Pill again. Progestin-only pills will not affect your milk during nursing. Combination pills may reduce the amount and quality of milk in the first six weeks of breastfeeding. Also, the milk will contain traces of the Pill's hormones. It is unlikely that these hormones will have any effect on your child.
Oral contraceptives available in the United states
Alesse
Alesse usually contains two types of hormones, estrogens (ES-troh-jenz ) and progestins ( proh-JES-tins) and, when taken properly, prevents pregnancy. It works by stopping a woman's egg from fully developing each month.
Mircette
Mircette is a "biphasic" oral contraceptive pill indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, depends upon the reliability with which they are used.
Nordette 28
Nordette is used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate your menstrual cycle.
Yasmin
Yasmin is a medication that is used to prevent pregnancy in women. Yasmin is a prescription medication that you will take orally once a day, generally at the same time everyday so that you are best protected against getting pregnant and having children when you are not ready or don't want children.
Triphasil
Triphasil is an oral contraceptive (commonly known as "the Pill") containing two active ingredients (levonorgestrel and ethinyloestradiol) that are similar to hormones that your body naturally produces. Triphasil is a pill that you will take orally once a day so that you don't get pregnant. If you are looking to protect your future and not have children at right now, Triphasil is a medication that you should consider.
Seasonale
SEASONALE ® is the FDA-approved extended-cycle birth control pill for the prevention of pregnancy that reduces your monthly periods to just 4 times a year.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN is a birth control pill that is taken orally. In addition to preventing pregnancy, Ortho Tri-Cyclen may also be used to regulate the menstrual cycle or treat symptoms of menopause.
Ortho Evra Patch
Ortho Evra Patch is an estrogen and progestin combination used to prevent pregnancy. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Poison Control Centers for Nebraska - Pennsylvania
Definition Gross control means the ability to make large, general movements (such as waving an arm or lifting a leg). It requires the proper integration of muscle, bones, and nerve function. Information Gross control is…
