Birth control pills also known as contraceptive pills, contraceptive pills stop estrogen and progesterone hormones which causes the release of an ovum ( egg ) from the ovary and accelerates pregnancy respectively.
When you start birth control pills your partner has to use condoms for at least seven days because the drug takes at least 7 days for effect.
Each of the birth control pills has different formulations, but they all have the same active ingredients which stop the ovaries from releasing an egg. An ovary with eggs in it is called ovulation and this is what actually causes pregnancy. The egg leaves the ovaries and travels down your fallopian tubes through a tube that leads to your uterus. If a sperm enters this tube, it can move to your uterus just like any other egg in order to fertilize it.
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First, the pill prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg.
Contraception pills stop pregnancy by preventing release of an egg. In order to be successful at this, the pill must prevent ovulation, by preventing the sperm from reaching the uterus and also making it very difficult for a fertilized egg to implant itself into your uterine wall.
Second, the pill changes the mucus in your cervix.
Combined, the pills suppress ovulation by altering cervical mucus and inhibiting sperm migration. The cervical mucus changes form a hostile environment for sperm to a hyper-hostile environment that severely increases the likelihood of the sperm’s death prior to fertilization.
Third, the pill changes the lining of your uterus.
The pill works mainly by making the lining of your uterus (endometrium) unsuitable for pregnancy. When you take the contraceptive pill you can choose to take some additional medication to protect against two sexually transmitted infections, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Discuss your medical history with your gynecologist before choosing a contraceptive pill.
The first question you should ask your gynecologist is if the contraceptive pill is suitable for you. Different types of contraception pills have different levels of hormones and therefore affect a woman’s body in different ways. The type of contraceptive pill you choose is based on your medical history, what risk factors you have and the side effects that might be overcome by running the pill.
You must take these pills at roughly the same time every day to ensure they’re effective.
When you take the pill, it is important to strictly follow the schedule each month. Timing is key. In the first week, take 1 pill. You only have to take one pill per day during the first seven days of each month (for a total of 21 pills). On the eighth day (until you repeat this 28-day cycle), do not take any more pills. If you miss your dosage for even one day, you may become pregnant.
These pills can have potential side effects such as nausea or spotting between periods.
- The most common side effects of the pill include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness and weight gain.
- Some women may also experience headaches, flushing or abdominal pain.
- The main reason for this is that the hormones in the contraceptive pill change your body’s natural menstrual cycle. If you are already taking another form of contraception such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant, you will also experience a delay in periods until your next dose of pills.
- If you don’t want to be on the pill for a long time, it might be best to wait until after your next period has arrived before taking it — otherwise you could risk getting pregnant.
Takeaway: Contraceptive pills are a safe, easy way to prevent pregnancy if taken correctly.
Contraceptive pills are a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy when taken correctly. When taken correctly a woman may experience up to 9 full months of protection against pregnancy in addition to regular menstrual periods.
