How To Use Birth Control Pills Effectively

A woman becomes pregnant when an egg released from the ovary is fertilized by the sperm. Ovary is the organ that holds the eggs. The fertilized egg attaches to a woman’s womb or uterus. This is where the baby develops by getting nourishment. The hormones in the woman’s body actually control the release of the egg from the ovary which is called ovulation. The hormones prepare the body to accept the fertilized egg.

Hormonal contraceptives like pill, patch, the vaginal ring, all contain a small amount of man-made estrogen and progestin hormones. These hormones work to inhibit the body’s natural cyclical hormones to prevent pregnancy.

[Also Read – Common birth control side effects]

• The contraceptive stops the body from ovulating.
• The contraceptive also change the cervical mucus to make it difficult for the sperm to go through the cervix and find the egg.
• The contraceptive makes the lining of the womb, so that the fertilized egg will not be implanted in the womb.

Another option for hormonal contraceptives is the extended cycle pill i.e Seasonale that is the first one to be approved. Seasonale has the same hormones as the birth control pills. But the hormones take a longer cycle. That reduces the number of menstrual periods from 13 periods to only four periods a year. That means the woman who takes this pill will menstruate only once in a season. Seasonale contains the same combination of two hormones that are commonly used in other hormonal contraceptives. But Seasonale is taken continuously for 12 weeks, followed by one week of inactive pills. This results in menstrual cycle.

This hormone medication combination is used to prevent pregnancy. It contains two hormones progestin and estrogen. It works mainly by preventing the release of an egg i.e ovulation during the first menstrual cycle. It can also help prevent the sperm from reaching the egg i.e inhibits fertilization. It can also change the lining of the uterus to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus, it passes out of the body.

Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills can make your periods regular. They can decrease blood loss and painful periods. They can also reduce the risk of ovarian cysts and acne.

Mini pills only contain one hormone progestin. They do not contain estrogen. This may be prescribed for women who are breast feeding. It can also be used in the case of women who have nausea or have side effects for estrogen.

Mini pills work by thickening the cervical mucus. Now the sperm cannot reach the egg. The hormone in the pill can also change the lining of the uterus. So the fertilized egg does not get implanted. In some cases mini pills can prevent the release of an egg. For this a pill can be taken daily. Mini pills are 95.5 % effective if used correctly.

You can take any birth control pills with the prescription of the doctor.

Ask your doctor when you should start birth control pills. If you are still having the period on the day of taking the pill, go ahead and start the pill pack. You will get your next period after 20 days after starting the pack.

It is the best time to take the pill daily. You can take it any time during the day. Taking it at bedtime or breakfast time can make you remember it better.

Start taking them the first Sunday after your period starts. If your period starts on Sunday take Seconal that day. Take one tablet for 84 consecutive days.

You will start each new birth control pill pack on the same day of the week you have started it. If you are on the 21-day pill pack, start the new pill pack seven days after you have finished the old pill pack. If you are on the 28-day pill pack, begin the new pack after taking the last pill in the old pack. Start your new pack if you get your period or are still it having the period.

If you forget to take a pill, take it as soon s you remember. If you have not taken until the next day, go ahead and take the pills that day. If you forget to take pills for 2 days, take 2 pills that day you remember and 2 pills the next day.

You may experience side effects like nausea, weight gain, sore or swollen breasts, small amounts of blood or spotting between periods, lighter periods or mood changes. If you experience any of these, contact the doctor immediately.

Points to remember

• Keep spermicidial foam and condoms in case you forget to take the pill.
• Carry your pills with you always.
• Take your pill at the same time daily.
• Get your refills soon after you start the last prescription.
• Always tell your doctor you are on a pill.

The above tips may help you on how to use birth control pills effectively. This might guide you to know about controlling unwanted birth.

Pradeepa Polineni