The best birth control pills

FAQs about birth control pills

A lot has been said about birth control pills but some questions keep on popping up every now and then. Some frequently asked questions have been addressed in this article so that you have the latest and complete information about birth control pills.

What are birth control pills and how do they work?

These pills are also known as “The Pill”. These are small tablets that need to be taken orally everyday. Most pills available on the market contain synthetic forms of naturally occurring female hormones; oestrogen and progestin. Since these pills contain a combination of oral contraceptives, they are also known as combination pills. Many different types of contraceptive pills available on the market.

Female reproductive system

The hormones in these pills prevent an unwanted pregnancy by suppressing the activity in the pituitary gland. This leads to a stoppage in development as well as release of an egg in the ovaries. Progestin, a female hormone, stops sperm from reaching the egg.

Some contraceptive pills available on the market contain only progestin and these pills are either known as “mini-pill” or “progestin only pills”. These pills work by suppressing ovulation and preventing the sperm from reaching the egg.

Which birth control pill should I take?

This question is asked by more than 88% of women. To know which pill is best for you, it is better to consult a doctor and talk to him/her. Tell your doctor about any health condition you are suffering from or any other medication that you are using. This will enable the doctor to understand your case in detail and give you a proper

Some pills are effective and some are not. It is in your best interest to use more effective pills so that you get faster results. Also, these pills, at times, do not react well with your body and you might need to change/adjust the dosage. Only a good doctor can decide which pill you need to take and how much of it needs to be used.

How effective are contraceptive pills against pregnancy?

Contraceptive pills are highly effective if you take them as prescribed. Generally, one pill a day is prescribed and you need to take them at the same time everyday. Although these pills are effective, it is advisable that you use other forms of contraception such as condoms.

In case you have forgotten to use contraception before/while having sexual intercourse, you can use emergency contraceptive pills that can be taken up to 120 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. You need to use a condom for this.

1. Combination pills

Studies show that contraceptive pills are more than 99% effective if take them at the same time everyday. This means that only one out of hundred women get pregnant when they use this pill.

2. Progestin-only pills

These pills contain only progestin and are around 98% effective, which means that only two out of a hundred women who use this pill get pregnant. Generally, perfect use of these pills hardly happens, which brings down the effectiveness.

Do I need to use other forms of contraception with contraceptive pills?

Contraceptive pills are not 100% effective.Also, these pills do not protect a woman against sexually transmitted diseases. This makes using a condom really important. Condoms become even more important if you miss two pills in a row.

Sometimes, use of other medications along with contraceptive pills reduces the effectiveness of both medications. This may even be harmful for your health. Always consult a doctor before using two medications together.