Combination Birth Control Pills

Combination birth control pills, also known as the pill, are oral contraceptives that contain estrogen and a progestin.

You can prevent your ovaries releasing eggs by taking combination birth control drugs. To prevent sperm joining an egg, they also affect the cervical mucus (endometrium), and can cause changes to the lining of your uterus.

Different types of combination birth control pills contain different doses of estrogen and progestin. Extended- cycle or continuous-dosing pills can be used to decrease the amount of time you are on your pill each year.

Your doctor can assist you in choosing the right type of combination birth control pill for you.

What It Is and Why You Should Do It

Combination birthcontrol pills can be a very reliable method of contraception and are easily reversed. The pills can be stopped almost instantly to restore fertility . The following are non-contraceptive benefits to these pills:

• Decreased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, benign breast disease
• Acne improvement
• Less-severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
• Reduced androgen production due to polycystic-ovary syndrome
• Reduced heavy periods due to uterine fibroids or other causes and a decrease in iron- deficiency anemia.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Relief
• For some combination pills, shorter, lighter, and more predictable periods.
• Better control of monthly cycle and a reduction in hot flashes for women nearing menopause ( perimenopause )

There are many combinations of active and inactive birth control pills available, such as:

Pack with conventional.

This most popular type has 21 active and seven inactive tablets. There are also formulae that contain 24 active pills as well as four inactive tablets, which is known to be a shorter pill-free interval.

Every day, you take one pill and then start another pack every 28 days. Bleeding is a condition that occurs when your last four to seven inactive tablets are consumed.

You can do it continuously or in an extended cycle.

They typically have 84 active pills, and seven inactive. The inactive pills are usually only taken for seven days. Bleeding is rare.

You can also purchase a 365 day pill. This pill can be taken every day. For some women, periods stop altogether. Some women experience periods that are significantly shorter.

Extended-cycle and continuous-dosing pills may offer additional benefits for menstruation suppression, including:

• Uterine fibroids: Treatment and Prevention
• Migraine prevention
• Reduction in menstruation-associated worsening of certain conditions, including seizures
• Endometriosis-related pain can be relieved

However, combination birth control pills may not be right for you. If you are not a candidate for combination birth control, your doctor may recommend that you try another type of birth control.

• Are in the first month of breast-feeding
• If you're over 35 years old and still smoke,
• High blood pressure that is not well controlled
• You have a history or present case of deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.
• A history of heart disease or stroke
• Have a history of breast cancer
• Aura can cause migraines.
• Diabetes-related complications like retinopathy, neuropathy or nephropathy
• Liver disease
• Undiagnosed bleeding from the uterus
• Major surgery may result in prolonged immobilization

There are risks

An estimated 9 out of 100 women taking combination birth control pills will get pregnant in the first year of use. With perfect use as directed, the pregnancy rate is less than 1 in 100 women every year.

Although taking combination birth control pills during early pregnancy doesn't increase the risk of birth defects, it's best to stop them as soon as you suspect you're pregnant. You won't be protected from sexually transmitted diseases by taking combination birth control pills.

Side effects of combination birth control pills include:

• With extended-cycle, continuous-dosing and extended-dosing medications, bleeding can be more frequent.
• Breast tenderness
• Blood pressure elevated
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Some side effects - including nausea, headaches, breast tenderness and breakthrough bleeding - might decrease with continued use.

The risk of developing certain serious conditions from combination birth control pills can increase. These conditions include:

• Leg blood clots
• Smoking can cause heart attack and stroke.
• Liver disorders
• Gallbladder Disease

If you are taking combination birth control pills, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

• Pain in the abdomen
• Breast lump
• Chest pain
• Depression
• Speaking with difficulty
• Vision problems such as double or blurred vision or vision loss can cause eye damage.
• Fainting
• Jaundice: Yellowish skin discoloration
• Headaches that are new or aggravating
• Seizures
• Very severe allergic skin rash
• Severe pain in the legs or swelling
• No mood control
• Two missed periods or signs of pregnancy

What to do when you are not prepared

Your health provider will need to prescribe combination birth control pills.

The health provider will assess your blood pressure and weight, as well as review your medical history including any medications.

To help you choose the right combination of birth control pills for you, he or she will ask questions about your preferences and concerns. Health care providers generally recommend pills with the lowest dose of hormones that will help prevent pregnancy, give you important noncontraceptive benefits and minimize side effects.

Although the amount of estrogen in combination pills can be as low as 10 micrograms (mcg) of ethinyl estradiol, most pills contain about 35 mcg. Low-dose pills can result in more breakthrough bleeding than pills with more estrogen.

Combination pills can be classified according to whether or not the hormone dose remains the same.

Monophasic. Each active pill contains the same amount of estrogen and progestin.

Biphasic. Active pills contain two combinations of estrogen and progestin.

Triphasic. Active pills contain three combinations of estrogen and progestin. In some types, the progestin content increases; in others the progestin dose remains steady, and the estrogen content increases.

Here's What You Can Expect

To use combination birth control pills:

Talk to your doctor about the best time for you to start. The quick-start method allows you to take your first pills immediately. You can take your first pill immediately if you choose the Sunday Start method.

For the first 7 days of taking combination birth control pills, you should use an alternative method. You'll be taking your first pill the day after you start the first-day method. There is no backup contraceptive method.

Choose a regular time for you to take your pill. You may avoid missing the pill by following a schedule. It will also help to take your pill consistently every day. You might consider taking your pills when you brush your teeth each morning . Be sure to follow your doctor's directions. You can only use birth control pills correctly if they are used properly. If you are using traditional combination birthcontrol pills, and you want regular periods, then you must take both active and inactive pills. You will need to start a new package the next day.

You can avoid your monthly period by asking your healthcare provider how you should take the pill and how many active pills you may be allowed to take at once.

Missed pills should be avoided. Do not forget to take any missed active pills. If you miss your active pill, take the remainder of the package as normal. You can also use a backup contraceptive method for up to seven days.

You can take more active pills than you have missed, so make sure you get the most recent one. You can continue to take the remaining pills as normal, but you should use an emergency contraceptive method for at least seven days. Talk to your doctor if you have had unprotected sexual activity.

Do not take breaks in between packs. Before you end your current pack, make sure to have the next one ready. You should not vomit within 2 hours of taking the combination birth control pill, or have diarrhea lasting more than two days.