What is the Birth Control Pill and How is it Used?

The birth control pill, or oral contraceptives, are medications designed for women to prevent pregnancy. They are taken orally and, when used correctly, can be up to 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, they do not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

What is the Birth Control Pill?

For those wondering what the birth control pill is, it can be briefly described as a medication taken orally to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills are an effective method for contraception. So, what does the birth control pill do? The birth control pill is a hormone-based method of contraception. These medications are also used in the treatment of irregular menstrual bleeding, heavy periods, endometriosis, acne, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which causes various symptoms before menstruation. Birth control pills work by preventing ovulation and the thickening of the uterine lining. This way, pregnancy cannot occur because either ovulation does not happen, or if it does, the fertilized egg cannot implant in the uterine lining.

Types of Birth Control Pills

There are different types of birth control pills available on the market. They all contain synthetic forms of estrogen, progesterone, or both hormones. Synthetic progesterone is referred to as progestin. Birth control pills can be broadly classified into two categories: combined oral contraceptives and the mini-pill. Combined birth control pills contain both progestin and estrogen. The mini-pill contains only progestin. Combined pills can also be monophonic or biphasic. Monophonic pills contain the same amount of hormones in each pill, while biphasic pills contain different hormone levels in each pill, and thus, two or three different types of pills are taken each month.

How is the Birth Control Pill Used?

There are various forms of combined birth control pills available in the market. They come in packages containing 21, 28, or 91 pills. So, how is the birth control pill used? The 28-pill packages are taken continuously without a break, and 7 of the pills contain no active ingredients. The 91-pill packages are also taken continuously. Some of these pills contain lower doses of estrogen compared to others. In 21-day packages, there is a 7-day break after finishing each package, after which a new pack is started. Even if bleeding occurs, it is important to start the new pack according to the schedule. Since these pills are taken daily, it may be easier to use the 28- and 91-day pills correctly. On the other hand, progestin-only pills are only available in 28-pill packages, and all the pills in these packages contain the same amount of hormone. Just like combined pills, these pills should also be taken at the same time each day. When taking pills with no active ingredients or with low-dose estrogen (for the 21-pill regimen), withdrawal bleeding similar to menstruation may occur. However, women using progestin-only pills may not have regular periods. In this group, unexpected irregular bleeding and spotting are common, especially at the beginning of the treatment.

When Should You Start the Birth Control Pill?

Those wondering when to start the birth control pill should first consult a doctor. The doctor will guide when the medication should be started. Generally, oral contraceptives are started within the first five days of the menstrual cycle. Sometimes, the first pill can be taken on the first Sunday after the bleeding begins. Couples often wonder when birth control pills start providing protection. If a woman starts taking birth control pills and continues to take them correctly without breaks, the pill will be effective starting from the first day of use. Some women ask if the birth control pill can be used after intercourse. For women who do not take the pill regularly, taking the pill after unprotected intercourse will have no effect. Pills taken after intercourse are called emergency contraception pills.

Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill

While the birth control pill is safe for most women, it does have some side effects and risks. The most common side effects of the birth control pill include:

• Decreased sexual desire
• Nausea
• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Breast tenderness
• Vaginal discharge
• Weight gain
• Headaches and migraines
• Emotional changes

These side effects may disappear after a few months of using the pill. If the side effects persist, the doctor may recommend switching to a different birth control pill.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Birth Control Pill

There are many advantages to using birth control pills. Some of the benefits include:

• Provides 24/7 protection.
• Highly effective. It offers better protection than most other birth control methods.
• Helps regulate menstrual cycles, which can be beneficial for women with irregular or heavy periods.
• Effects are reversible. Once the pills are stopped, the menstrual cycle returns to normal, and the woman can become pregnant immediately.

Combined birth control pills also offer protection against:

• Acne
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Osteoporosis
• Non-cancerous breast lumps
• Uterine and ovarian cancer
• Anemia
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Severe menstrual cramps

Progestin-only mini-pill pills may be preferred in certain situations because they can be used for specific cases. These pills are a better alternative for:

1. Those who cannot tolerate estrogen treatment
2. Smokers
3. Women over 35 years old
4. Those at risk of blood clots
5. Breastfeeding mothers
6. Overweight individuals

Along with the advantages, there are some disadvantages to birth control pills. These pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. To prevent infections, condoms should be used in addition to the daily pill. It is important to take the pill regularly every day. Always make sure to have a new pack of pills ready when the current pack is finished. Missing a pill or delaying the start of a new pack after the previous cycle increases the risk of pregnancy.

Is the Birth Control Pill Harmful?

So, is the birth control pill harmful? Birth control pills, especially combined oral contraceptives, have the most significant negative feature of increasing the risk of blood clotting. The harm caused by birth control pills is linked to this increased clotting risk. The increase in blood clotting risk can lead to the following health problems:

• Deep vein thrombosis
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Pulmonary embolism

In general, fewer than 10 out of 10,000 women are at risk of developing a blood clot after using the pill for one year. This risk is lower than the risk of developing a blood clot during pregnancy and immediately after birth. However, for some women, the clotting risk associated with birth control pills is higher. Women who are at higher risk include:

• Overweight women
• Those with hypertension
• Women who have long periods of bed rest
• Smokers
• Women over 35 years old

It is said that naturally occurring female hormones like estrogen may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Therefore, those using hormone-based birth control pills may face a similar effect. Women who have used birth control pills from a young age have a slightly higher risk of developing breast, cervical, and liver cancers compared to the general population.