combo pill
Whats on this page
- What is the pill?
- How effective is the pill?
- Are there birth control pill side effects?
- How safe is the pill?
- How do I use the pill?
- What do I do if I miss a birth control pill?
- How do I get the pill?
- What are the benefits of the pill?
- What are the disadvantages of the pill?
- What types of birth control pills are there?
What is the pill?
Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (CHCs) contain estrogen and progestin. They prevent pregnancy mainly by suppressing gonadotropins. Progestin suppresses the LH surge, preventing ovulation. Estrogen prevents the rise of FSH, inhibiting follicular development with progestin. Estrogen stabilizes the endometrium, preventing unscheduled bleeding. Progestins also thicken cervical mucus, thin the endometrium, and impair tubal motility. Most oral contraceptive (OC) regimens in the U.S. follow a 28-day cycle. Many OCs have 21 days of active pills and a 7-day hormone-free interval with placebo pills.
How effective is the pill?
91-93%
Are there birth control pill side effects?
Some hormonal contraception users report various negative physical and psychological side effects such as headache, weight gain, mood disorders, breast changes, bloating, and sexual problems
How safe is the pill?
The pill is reversible and can be used by patients of all ages.
How do I use the pill?
Generally used for 21–24 consecutive days, followed by 4–7 hormone-free days (no use or placebo pills). Can be started anytime (if youre not pregnant)
What do I do if I miss a birth control pill?
simplified cdc guideline: If you are less than 24 hours late or miss one pill (24 to 48 hours late), take the late or missed pill as soon as possible. Continue taking the remaining pills at the usual time, even if it means taking two pills on the same day. No additional contraceptive protection is needed. Emergency contraception is not usually needed but may be considered, except for UPA, if multiple pills were missed earlier in the cycle. If you miss two or more pills (48 or more hours late), take the most recent missed pill as soon as possible and discard any other missed pills. Continue taking the remaining pills at the usual time, even if it means taking two pills on the same day. Use backup contraception, such as condoms, or avoid sex until you have taken hormonal pills for seven consecutive days. If pills were missed during the last week of hormonal pills, meaning days 15 to 21 in a 28-day pack, finish the hormonal pills in the current pack and start a new pack the next day, skipping the hormone-free interval. If you are unable to start a new pack immediately, use backup contraception or abstain from sex until you have taken hormonal pills from a new pack for seven consecutive days. Emergency contraception should be considered, except for UPA, if hormonal pills were missed during the first week and unprotected sex occurred in the past five days. Emergency contraception may also be considered at other times if appropriate.
How do I get the pill?
Refer to your doctor's office. They might check your blood pressure and/or weight before prescribing. then you can fill it in pharmacy
What are the benefits of the pill?
Oral contraceptives reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by approximately 20 percent for every five years of use. They can also improve heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and endometriosis. Estrogen-containing birth control methods, such as oral contraceptives, the patch, or the ring, may help improve acne. Hormonal contraceptives are also considered effective treatments for gynecologic conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and pelvic pain. No routine follow-up visit is required.
What are the disadvantages of the pill?
Must take a pill every day do not protect against STIs Inconsistent or incorrect use of pill is a major cause of failure Spotting or bleeding is common during the first 3–6 months of extended or continuous pill use. Spotting or bleeding is generally not harmful but might be bothersome to the patient. Bleeding changes generally decrease with continued pill use.
What types of birth control pills are there?
The three major types of OC formulations include daily progestin-only pills (POPs), also known as minipills, fixed-dose (monophasic) combination pills, and multiphasic combination pills. The combination formulations are the most widely used and incorporate several different types of progestins. The modifications in chemical structure of different synthetic progestins affect their biologic activity. Monophasic products contain tablets with the same dose combination of an estrogen and progestin each day. In multiphasic formulations, pills containing several different dose combinations come in the same pack. A different tablet color corresponds to each dose combination