Many women use birth control pills as a method of family planning. But do you really know what kind of pill you are using and how it affects your body? Today we are talking about one of the most commonly used types of birth control pills, which contain the hormones norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol. It is very important to be well informed about this.
What is this medicine? Simply put...
This is what we call oral contraceptives, or birth control pills. It contains a combination of two types of female hormones, estrogen and progestin .
The main thing this pill does is stop ovulation , which is the monthly release of an egg from one of your ovaries. This prevents pregnancy. In addition to family planning, doctors may sometimes prescribe it for other hormone-related problems (such as irregular periods).
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before you start taking this medication, you should definitely inform your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions. Hiding this information could seriously affect your health.
| Illness or condition | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Blood vessel disease or blood clots | These pills may slightly increase the risk of blood clots. |
| Breast, cervical, uterine, ovarian, or liver cancer | Hormones can affect some types of cancer. |
| Heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure | Using hormones can be risky when these conditions exist. |
| Diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides | This medication can affect blood sugar and cholesterol levels. |
| Migraine headaches | This may increase migraines in some women. |
| Liver or kidney disease, gallbladder disease | Because these organs eliminate drugs from the body, their function is important. |
| Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) | Medical advice is very important when these conditions occur. |
| If you are a smoker (especially if you are over 35 years old) | The combination of smoking and these pills greatly increases the risk of blood clots and heart attack. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | This medicine is not suitable in such cases. |
| If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding | It is not advisable to take this medicine before the cause is properly identified. |
| If you are scheduled to undergo surgery in the future | These pills may need to be stopped before surgery. |
How should I use this medicine?
This is very simple. Try to take the pill at the same time every day . That's how you will get the best results. Take the pill exactly as directed on the card. Some people may experience stomach upset or nausea when taking this. If this happens, take this pill with a meal.
Read the patient package insert carefully when you are given your medication. It is a good habit to read it every time you take your medication.
If you accidentally take too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This medicine is for your own use only, do not share it with others.
What do you do if you miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a pill, follow the instructions in the information leaflet you received. Usually, you are told to take one pill as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at the usual time. However, if you miss more than one pill, the pill's contraceptive effect may be reduced. Therefore, it is wise to use an additional method of contraception, such as a condom, during those days. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Other medications, vitamins, and even herbal products you take can interact with these birth control pills. So tell your doctor about everything you're taking. Below are some of those things.
| Do not take these with anything. | |
|---|---|
| Some medications for Hepatitis C, such as dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir. | |
| May also react with the following (inform doctor): | |
| Antibiotics | Especially types like Rifampin, Griseofulvin, Penicillins, Tetracyclines. |
| Medicines for epilepsy | Such as Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Topiramate. |
| Medicines for HIV/AIDS | Such as Ritonavir. |
| Herbal products | St. John's Wort. |
| Other | Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), Atorvastatin, Warfarin, diabetes medication, thyroid hormones, grapefruit juice. |
Things to consider when taking the medicine
- Regular medical checkups: While taking this medication, it is important to see your doctor at regular intervals for checkups. It is important to have breast exams and Pap smears.
- Avoid smoking: This is very important.
- Swelling in the body: Sometimes, water can accumulate in the body, causing swelling in the fingers, hands, and feet. Blood pressure can also increase. If you notice any such changes, tell your doctor.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, it is a good idea to use sunscreen and cover up when going out in the sun.
- If you suspect you are pregnant: If you have even the slightest suspicion that you are pregnant, stop taking the pill immediately and see your doctor .
- There is no protection against sexually transmitted diseases:
- Before using birth control pills like this, be sure to see a doctor to make sure it is suitable for your health condition.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and any medications you take . Don't hide anything.
- Take your medicine at the same time every day, in the same order . Know what to do if you miss a dose.
- Be aware of the symptoms of serious side effects, such as blood clots and stroke. If you experience any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- Please remember that these pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases . Use other methods of protection.
Smoking while taking this medicine greatly increases your risk of blood clots or stroke , especially if you are over 35 years old. Therefore, we strongly advise you to avoid smoking altogether.
This is a common misconception. Birth control pills only prevent pregnancy. They do not protect you from HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted infections . It is essential to use protective measures such as condoms.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have some side effects. But don't be afraid. It's important to be aware of these.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Symptoms of a blood clot | Leg pain, swelling or a feeling of warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of a stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the right upper abdomen, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine. |
| Other | Increased blood pressure, new or worsening migraines, worsening mood (depression). |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but should be reported if they persist) | |
| Breast pain or tightness | Irregular menstrual periods or spotting. |
| Skin changes | Dark spots on the skin on the face or in areas exposed to the sun. |
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න