In case you’ve determined to make use of contraception tablets for contraception or different medical causes, your subsequent choice is which type.
We talked to Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a scientific professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences on the Yale College College of Medication and a member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council, about decisions girls have for contraception tablets and the way to decide on the best one in your priorities and wishes.
How do mixture and estrogen-free hormonal contraception tablets work?
There are two primary forms of hormonal birth control pills, that are additionally referred to as oral contraceptives. All of them embody progestin, and a few additionally embody estrogen.
The hormonal contraception tablets which have each estrogen and progestin are referred to as mixture tablets. Progestin is a lab-made model of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. Estrogen-free tablets, which solely include progestin, are generally referred to as progestin-only tablets, POP or mini-pills.
Progestin is what retains you from getting pregnant. It suppresses ovulation and makes cervical mucus — the mucus on the entrance to the uterus — thick or pasty, which makes it hard for sperm to swim. So, progestin has a dual-action function in stopping being pregnant. The addition of estrogen to the capsule primarily works to control menstrual bleeding.
Read: Why Hormonal Birth Control Is So Important to Women’s Healthcare >>
How will my interval be affected by mixture contraception tablets? What about estrogen-free contraception tablets?
Some forms of mixture contraception tablets are literally prescribed for the aim of interval administration: they will regulate intervals and scale back interval ache. If you’re somebody who has terrible intervals, with cramps, extreme stream or each, you might do higher on a mix capsule. The influence of estrogen-free pills in your interval may be extra variable. Some girls get no intervals in any respect, and a few get occasional bleeding.
Are there sure medical situations or the reason why I can’t take sure forms of contraception?
Sure. There are a number of medical situations and causes that you could be not have the ability to take sure forms of contraception. For instance, breastfeeding girls are discouraged from taking a capsule that accommodates estrogen as a result of it will probably suppress breast milk manufacturing. When you end breastfeeding, you may change again to a mix capsule. Additionally, girls with migraine assaults could do higher on an estrogen-free capsule. Ladies whose healthcare suppliers are involved about blood clots ought to keep away from a capsule that accommodates estrogen as effectively.
What negative effects are most typical with every sort of capsule?
Unintended effects are extra widespread if you first begin taking the capsule, as your physique adjusts to the hormones. They typically resolve after a month or two. They will embody sore breasts, recognizing, modifications in your interval, headache assaults or nausea. In case your negative effects are extreme, discuss to your physician. You could want to modify the kind of capsule you’re taking.
In fact, some negative effects, comparable to modifications to your menstrual cycle, may be fascinating. Some girls use the capsule to control, scale back the depth of and even skip their intervals.
What occurs if I miss a capsule?
In case you miss a capsule, take two the subsequent day. Nevertheless, many suppliers will counsel girls utilizing estrogen-free tablets use a back-up contraception technique for no less than per week following the skipped dose. Lacking one capsule with a mix capsule just isn’t as vital.
How quickly will I be shielded from getting pregnant as soon as I begin taking every sort of capsule?
For every type, should you begin the capsule on the primary or second day of your interval, try to be protected as quickly as you begin taking it. In case you begin in the course of your cycle, it may take longer to be efficient. Ask your healthcare supplier when you can begin to depend on your capsule for contraception.
Will taking hormonal beginning tablets now have an effect on my possibilities of getting pregnant sooner or later?
Utilizing both sort of pill shouldn’t influence your capability to get pregnant later. And also you don’t should be fearful about long-term use: neither sort of capsule will have an effect on your fertility prospects.
I at all times counsel to girls who’re utilizing the capsule and are planning a being pregnant sooner or later to make use of this time to get into one of the best form you may. Good vitamin and train habits are very useful for a superb being pregnant. And I like to recommend you get additional folic acid when you’re making an attempt to conceive. Because you’re already within the behavior of taking a every day capsule, why not change contraception for a vitamin that accommodates folic acid?
This academic useful resource was created with help from Exeltis.
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