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CONTRACEPTIVES
ORAL
CONTRACEPTIVES
What
are Birth Control Pills?
Oral
contraceptives, known as “The Pill”, contain two
synthetic female hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
which prevent pregnancy by inhibiting the monthly
release of the “egg” from the ovaries. These are
the same female hormones you normally produce.
Oral contraceptives are almost 100% effective
when taken correctly. To be absolutely safe, you
should use a second form of contraception the
first seven days of the first cycle.
Birth
control pills do not completely protect a woman
from getting sexually transmitted
diseases.
How are they available?
There
has been tremendous change in the usage
of Oral Contraceptives, over a period of
time. The newer Oral Contraceptive pills
available are extremely safe and highly
effective, if taken correctly. The various
brand names available in Indian markets
are Triquflar, Ovaral –G, Femilon, and Novelon.
Your medical practitioner is the ideal person
to advise you which one to choose.
All
birth control pill cycles are three weeks
of active hormone pills (21 tablets) followed
by one week of no hormones. Some pills,
called “everyday” version have additional
7 pills of a different colour for the 4th
week. The fourth week of pills are just
“reminder” pills and do not contain hormones.
You either take them or just use them for
counting. When you get to the fourth week
of pills, you should have a menstrual period.
How to take them?
When
starting for the first time or changing
from other methods of contraception to hormonal
method or one brand to another there are
a number of ways to start oral contraceptives.
-
We
most commonly start on day of menses,
one pill each day, regularly at a particular
time of day preferably after dinner
or in the morning with your breakfast.
-
If
you forget to take your pills take immediately
as soon as you remember.
-
If
you forget to take for more than 12
hours, take immediately or use additional
back up method of contraception for
another week.
-
If
you forget to take two or more pills,
you must use another birth control (back
up method) for the remaining days of
your cycle.
-
With
packets of 21 pills, you take 1 pill
every night for 3 weeks. After 1-week
pill free interval, you start the next
packet.
-
For
everyday version, after the last week
of placebo (do not contain hormones)
pills you start immediately with a new
packet (no gap).
At
times, for a woman, there may be no menstrual
bleeding while using birth control pills.
-
If
you miss one menstrual period and have
taken the tablets exactly as directed,
continue as usual with your next cycle.
-
If
you have not taken them correctly and
miss a period you should be evaluated
for pregnancy.
-
If
two consecutive menstrual periods are
missed you should be evaluated for pregnancy.
It is not a health hazard to miss your
menstrual period when you are on birth
control pills.
Some
drugs such as antibiotics, anti-convulsants,
anti-tuberculous drugs can interfere in
the effectively of birth control pills.
Confirm the same with the Health Care Provider.
You may need to use an additional form of
birth control while you are taking antibiotics.
Side Effects
Occasionally
experience side effects, which are usually
temporary and may disappear in the first
three to four cycles. We encourage you to
remain on the pill for at least three cycles
so that we can evaluate how you are adjusting.
If symptoms persist longer than three months,
consult your medical practitioner who may
be able to solve the problem by changing
the type of pill you are taking.
-
Some
women experience slight nausea, which may
be relieved by taking the pill along with
a snack just before going to sleep or with
a meal.
-
Breakthrough
bleeding (bleeding in between the menses):
If this bleeding is heavier than light flow
or lasts more than a few days, you should
contact your practitioner.
-
Your
breasts may enlarge or become somewhat tender.
Complications
-
If
you have special health problems, such as
fibrous growths of the uterus, heart or kidney
disease, depression, diabetes, thyroid disease,
migraine headaches, or epilepsy, you should
inform your practitioner of these or any other
problems.
-
If
you have a history of blood clots anywhere
in your body, cancer of the breast or uterus,
or liver disease, you may not be able to use
the pill.
Important:
Most
women taking oral contraceptive have few
or no problems. But do call your practitioner
if you notice any of the following symptoms:
A-
abdominal
pain (severe)
C
- chest
pain (severe), shortness of breath, or coughing
up blood
H-
headaches
(severe)
E
-eye
problems like blurred vision, flashing lights
S
-severe leg pain (calf or thigh)
Benefits:
This
includes a reduced incidence of benign ovarian
cysts, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory
disease, anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis,
and most importantly, endometrial cancer
and ovarian cancer.
-
Most
successful means of contraception if used
properly. The failure rate is less than 1%.
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It
is of great social advantage for working and
educated women as withdrawal bleeding is predictable.
One can postpone the same safely by taking
more pills continually for even one month
or so.
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Cures
painful menses and the mid cycle ovulation
pain.
-
Oral
contraception decreases the amount of bleeding
and can be used in women having heavy and
prolonged regular menses.
-
Oral
contraception protects against ovarian and
endometrial cancer. The effect lasts for many
years. Benign breast diseases, functional
ovarian cyst, fibroid of the uterus are reduced
in pill users.
-
Oral
contraception protects against ectopic pregnancy,
pelvic inflammatory diseases, anaemia and
malnutrition, endometriosis, hirsutism, acne
and oily skin.
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