The most popular contraception is oral contraceptive pills. Nowadays these pills are called the ‘combined’ pills, because it contains two hormones: estrogen and progesterone that prevent a woman’s body from producing an egg each month. Without this egg, a woman can’t get pregnant.
Before taking the pill, it is recommended to consult with a doctor if woman:
- smokes (smoking and taking the pill increases the risk of heart disease and stroke);
- have high blood pressure or diabetes.
Although some women experience symptoms (for ex. irregular bleeding, weight gain, headaches, nausea, skin problems, mood swings) these symptoms often improve after two or three months. Changing the pills usually solves the problem (doctor’s consultation is necessary)
The use of contraceptive pills
The birth control pill must be taken regularly to be effective. One pill for each day when they are finished, the break should be done for seven days then start a new pack. During this break, women bleed just like a normal period.
What to do if woman forgot to take the pill?
If woman forgot to take the pill in 12 hours she should do it immediately and take the next one at the usual time (even if this means taking two pills in one day), but must use plus one more contraception (for ex. regular condoms , a diaphragm or any other guard) for the next seven days. There are two types of pack – 21 day pack (21 pills) and 28 days pack (28 pills). If woman uses 21 day pack and if she forgets to take a pill when there are less than seven pills left, then when she finishes the pack, she should start a fresh one without taking a break. If she uses a 28 day pack and if there is less than seven, she should start a fresh pack as soon as old one are finished, it means she should move straight on to a new pack.
Advantages and disadvantages of contraceptive pills
Advantages:
- By using birth control pills women can prevent pregnancy;
- During sexual intercourse there is no need to worry about impregnation, woman can relax that amplifies the pleasure;
- Woman can stop using pills whenever she wants (for ex. she wants to get pregnant);
- Pills do not harm to prolificacy;
- They fit to every woman, does not matter woman started a baby before or not;
- Pills help to regulate the menses;
- Medical research has showed that women who use contraceptive pills more rarely get ovarian cancer, womb or pelvis inflammation.
Disadvantages:
- It is very important to use pills every day approximately at the same time, often women forget to do this;
- Contraceptive pills do not fit for women who suckle a baby; it damages quality and quantity of milk;
- Pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including AIDS.
Common side effects are:
nausea, headache, weight gain.
Eventually these effects disappear.
