The contraceptive pill

The contraceptive pill

Efficient, unobtrusive, easy to take and with benefits that go far beyond preventing a pregnancy, unwanted, these are the secrets of the success of the contraceptive pill, one of the contraceptive methods most used in the world. Very extended in developed countries, United States and Europe, mainly in Spain consume it about 2 million women. In Latin America it also has good acceptance, although there are still some economic, legal and cultural barriers to overcome for its generalization.
While there are different types of contraceptive pill, the most popular is the combined result of the mixture of two synthetic hormones: estrogen and progestogen, reproduced in a laboratory in the image and likeness of the natives to deceive the body and control the reproductive cycle of the woman. Progestogens are responsible for contraceptive effect, since they prevent the ovum to mature and thicken the cervical mucus to obstruct the passage of sperm. The task of estrogen is to maintain the regular cycle of menstruation.

Laps with hormones

Birth control pills of first generation that were marketed in the early 1960s contained very high doses of these hormones, especially estrogen, responsible also for its main side effects (nausea, migraines, breast swelling, etc). Second, and above all, third and fourth generation (whose active ingredients are desogestrel and gestodene or drospirenone), on the other hand, have been refining and modernizing with different types and doses of progestogen and estrogen ethinyl estradiol almost cause them to disappear.
The counterpart of the most modern pills, however, is that they could increase the risk of thrombus, according to some complaints by European users. However, as he concluded a recent study by October 2013 in the Spanish medicines agency "there is no reason to stop taking combined hormonal contraceptive if not experienced any problem".

Forms of administration

The Spanish public health system currently funds 23 oral contraceptives, of which only three correspond to so-called third-generation contraceptives. If you are on the list, the user pays only 40% (about four euros on average), if not, the price may vary between eight and 18 euros a month.
Birth control pills are also different, besides by the dose, in containers and method of Administration:
  • The most common is 21 + 7, in which the pill is taken every day for 21 days and for the other seven 7 days swallowed others that contain no active ingredient.
  • There are also boxes of 21 pills, taken an every day until you get to the last one, rest seven days time he appears menstruation, and back to start over with another container.
  • Finally, the model is 24 + 4, each package contains 24 active and 4 placebo pills.

Advantages and disadvantages of the contraceptive pill

The pill always has been surrounded by a certain polemic precisely for those unwanted side effects (bleeding, headache, nausea, breast tenderness, mood swings...) that may cause the hormones which is made - or rather, that it was made, since the third and fourth generation are made from other synthetic derivatives that try to avoid these effects -epicenter of a myriad of misunderstandings and mistakes without, in most cases, unfounded medical, since it produces infertility, that fattening or inhibited sexual desire or that should rest from time to time.
The main advantage of the pill is effective: if taken correctly has a reliability of more than 99%. But it not only serves to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, but that many women resort to them to regulate your menstrual cycle and minimize the premenstrual, as pain, irritability, or swollen chest symptoms.
It is also recommended in some cases to fight acne. Some even claim that it can protect against ovarian cysts, problems endometrial or ovarian or colon cancer.

Disadvantages of the contraceptive pill

In the section on disadvantages, it should be noted that if you're a smoker, better don't drink it or, better still, stop smoking, since it increases the risk of suffering from a vascular problem.
In addition, the pill does not protect against AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases, if you don't have a steady partner or do not want to expose the best is therefore resorting also to male or female condoms.
On the other hand, experts recommend that women with heart problems, blood disorders, hypertension, diabetes, problems of liver, lupus, breast cancer, very obese or breast-feeding women, value the possibility of another contraceptive method together with your doctor or gynecologist.

Tips for use of the contraceptive pill

You may have some doubts about whether the pill is the most appropriate contraceptive method of choice for you. The following responses and usage tips will help you decide:

Are you a good candidate for the contraceptive pill?

In principle, any woman healthy childbearing age, the age that has, maybe, but your family doctor or your Gynecologist who have the last word, since, in addition, they cannot buy them without a prescription. Normally, so they prescribed it is enough with the clinical history and taking the blood pressure, but it is possible to perform more tests, such as a blood test.

When should I take it?

You start taking the pill is simple: the first pill swallowed the first day of menstruation, at the rate of one per day until the case is completed. If you start it in the morning, you should continue taking it in the morning more or less at the same time. The best thing is that you associate it with a daily habit or put an alarm on your mobile if you're forgetful gender, wear it always up and always have a spare box.

Is it effective?

The contraceptive pill is effective from the first day you take it correctly. If you forget to take a Tablet, must be swallowed in the moment that we realize and continue with the normal routine in the shots. The safety period for most of the pills is twelve hours, if you exceed that time or you forget to take it two times in a row, you have to finish the box and use another method of birth control until you get the rule.

Why do I bleed?

It is normal if it bleeds a little outside of the menstrual period in the first few months, you have to wait to the uterus to get used to the hormones. If, on the other hand, bleeds, should see a specialist.

Takes other medications

Is also important to tell your doctor that you are taking pill to prescribe you medication, including some antibiotics, because they may interfere with their effectiveness. And, of course, you have to pass annual reviews to verify that everything is in order.
Article contributed for educational purposes
Health and Wellness