Things you need to know about birth control pills

Birth control pills are something that many people are now using as a family planning method. You might also be interested in knowing about this. Maybe you are already using these pills. Or maybe you are hoping to start. However, it is very important to know about this. So today we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand, as if you were talking to a friend.

What are these birth control pills?

Simply put, birth control pills are a pill that contains hormones that you take by mouth every day. Their main function is to prevent pregnancy. That's why we also call them "family planning pills." Because they have to be taken every day, for many women, they have become a part of their daily lives.

If you take the pill correctly, every day, and on time , it is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. But there is one thing you need to remember . These pills only prevent pregnancy. They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like condoms. Therefore, it is essential to use an additional method of contraception (like condoms) along with birth control pills to protect against such infections.

What are the main types of birth control pills?

There are two main types of birth control pills. Both contain hormones that prevent pregnancy.

How do these pills prevent pregnancy?

The hormones in these pills prevent pregnancy in three main ways.

• Stopping ovulation: Simply put, stopping or reducing the release of an egg from an ovary. Without an egg, there is nothing for a sperm to fertilize.
• Thickening of cervical mucus: It thickens the mucus around the cervix, blocking the path for sperm to enter the uterus. It's like putting a roadblock in the way.
• Thinning of the uterine lining: The lining of the uterus is thinned. This means that even if an egg is fertilized, it will not be able to attach to the uterine wall and grow.

How to use the pills correctly?

This is the most important part. You need to follow the instructions given by your doctor exactly. Read the instructions on the pill card carefully. There are several types of pill cards.

• 28-day pack: This contains 21 "active" pills containing hormones and 7 "inactive" (placebo) pills that do not contain hormones. During the week that you take the inactive pills, you will have bleeding. This is not a period, but your body's response to stopping the hormones.
• 21-day pack: This pack contains only 21 active pills. Once the 21 pills are finished, you don't take any pills for 7 days. That's when your period will start. After 7 days, you need to start a new pack.
• Extended Dose Packs: Some packs contain pills for 91 or 365 days. These can help reduce the frequency of your periods. You can talk to your doctor about this for more information.

Especially remember: If you are using the progestin-only pill (minipill), it is extremely important to take the pill at the same time every day (within 3 hours). For example, if you take the pill at 7 am today and take it at 10:30 am tomorrow (3.5 hours late), you may be at risk of pregnancy.

What do you do if you forget to take a pill?

This happens to many people. Don't worry.

The usual thing to do is to take the missed pill as soon as you remember . Then, take the next pill at the same time that day (this means you may have to take two pills a day).

After that, it's safest to use an additional form of birth control, such as condoms , for the next 7 days . If you miss a pill for several days, be sure to talk to your doctor .

What are the benefits of birth control pills?

In addition to preventing pregnancy, these pills have many other health benefits.

Benefits associated with preventing pregnancy

• Convenience: You only have to take one pill daily.
• High efficiency: 99% effective if used correctly.
• No interruption to sex life: There is no need to look for birth control methods at the moment of need.
• The ability to get pregnant again immediately after stopping: Fertility returns to normal quickly after stopping the pill.

Other health benefits

Many people who use birth control pills also experience these benefits:

• More regular menstrual cycles and less bleeding.
• Reduction in menstrual cramps and migraines.
• Preventing anemia due to reduced blood loss.
• Reducing symptoms of conditions such as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
• Used as a treatment for conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, and Uterine Fibroids.
• Controlling acne and unwanted hair growth (hirsutism) .
• Reducing the risk of ovarian, uterine, and colon cancer.

Let's also learn about side effects and risks.

Minor side effects

Some people may experience minor side effects during the first few months of taking the pill. But don't worry, most of these will go away over time.

• Nausea
• Headache
• Breast pain or swelling
• Irritability or mood swings
• Spotting during menstruation

If these symptoms persist or cause you discomfort, tell your doctor . You may be able to switch to a different type of pill.

Serious but very rare risks

Birth control pills are used safely by millions of women around the world. However, a very small number of people, especially those taking combined pills that contain estrogen, have a very small risk of developing the following complications:

• Blood clot in the blood vessels (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT)
• Pulmonary Embolism
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke

These risks are increased in people who smoke, are obese, or have a family history of the disease. Before you start taking the pill, your doctor will discuss your complete health history and recommend the safest type of pill for you.

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