How to choose oral contraceptives? What are the pros and cons
Researchers began studying oral contraceptives in the early 20th century. The first pills were patented in 1951, and 10 years later pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy appeared on the market. In 1960, an era began when oral contraceptives could be purchased at any pharmacy in the world.
Contents of the article:
- Weight gain
- Misconceptions about oral contraceptives
- How do oral contraceptives work?
- Is it possible to take medications for a long time?
- Choosing the right drug
- Indications for the use of oral contraceptives
- Withdrawal syndrome
- Recommendations for taking oral contraceptives
- Method of action
- The amount of hormones in tablets
- Pros of oral contraceptives
- Disadvantages of oral contraceptives
Thus, since then, the lives of women using hormonal contraception have changed. Today this is almost 35% of the female population.
Weight gain
The first generation of contraceptives scared women so much that not only myths appeared about their harm to the body, but also the first ones that really scared women.
Women are concerned about the possibility of quite significant weight gain, and many fear infertility. These two fear factors primarily shaped the overall negative consumer reaction to oral pills.
Misconceptions about oral contraceptives
Why are there so many misconceptions around contraceptives? Both based on their appearance and whether there is at least some truth to them. Initially, in fact, the first oral contraceptives for women wanted the best.
They contained large amounts of hormones. More precisely, there was only one of them in the composition, which subsequently led to a malfunction of the endocrine system. They then led to this:
- The appearance of extra pounds
- Increased and, more precisely, boring feeling of hunger
- Decreased libido
- Large mammary glands
The doctors who developed the drugs noticed the obvious side effects and came to the conclusion that the active drug alone could not have a normal effect on the body.
Scientists have radically changed the composition. They introduced hormones into them that were similar in composition to the natural hormones of women. In addition, the dosage was reduced. These innovations have completely eliminated side effects. However, as they say, the spoon was found, but the unpleasant sight remained.
How do oral contraceptives work?
Absolutely all oral contraceptives operate on the principle of stopping the natural process of producing sex hormones. Each dose of the drug contains a synthetically produced hormone (we are talking about progesterone and estrogen).
The combination of these hormones prevents the eggs from maturing. In addition, they affect the endometrial mucosa and process. These changes, in turn, prevent sperm from settling in the uterus. The high efficiency of modern contraceptives (about 98%) gives confidence in their reliability.
Is it possible to take medications for a long time?
Many women are completely concerned about the question of whether it is possible to take birth control continuously. This issue is highly controversial and depends on several factors:
- Recommendations and results of medical examination
- General health.
Many birth control pills are prescribed by a doctor (not necessarily a gynecologist) and also as a preventive measure against pregnancy. Cosmetologists prescribe the following drugs:
- Elimination of acne
- Moisturizes the skin and improves its elasticity
- Strengthens nail plates and hair
In addition, medications help normalize the emotional state. When taking them, there are no mood swings associated with PMS. The spectrum of action of the drug includes:
This means that this type of drug can be used over a long period of time. However, before doing this, you should definitely consult a doctor and conduct a series of tests and examinations. Among them:
- Biochemistry of blood and its general analysis
- Blood test for coagulation and hormonal composition
- Ultrasound examination of the pelvic breast and organs
In many cases, additional research may be required — consultation with a mammologist and additional ultrasound of the walls of blood vessels and the abdominal cavity. Only after passing all the necessary tests can contraceptive pills be chosen for long-term use.
Choosing the right drug
A doctor”s prescription for one or another oral contraceptive pill is not the last point in taking this long-term remedy. The doctor continues to monitor the health of the patient taking the pills. If side effects occur, the doctor replaces the drug with another one. The most common signs that the body does not recognize the drug are
You must consider the fact that if a drug is not suitable for you, it is not possible to suddenly stop taking it and suddenly replace it with another drug. Again, you must strictly and strictly adhere to your doctor”s recommendations.
Indications for the use of oral contraceptives
The problem lies not only in the onset of pregnancy, but also in the effect of the pills on the fetus. They will harm the fetus if the woman decides to leave. After all, in.
The female body is a complex system, and any failure in its functioning can have many negative consequences. For example, with an increase in the level of androgenic male hormone in women, the following may occur:
- Pimples on the face.
- Irregularity of the menstrual cycle (given its complete absence)
In addition to preventing unwanted pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives are prescribed for treatment.
The choice of drug and the ratio of certain hormones in it depends on what disease is being treated. In other words, if a friend of a friend complains of menstrual irregularities or cosmetic problems, she will be prescribed drugs of the same composition. If a woman comes to the doctor concerned about EBA at night combined with insomnia, then this medicine will have a completely different composition.
Withdrawal syndrome
Like other medications, oral contraceptives have a so-called “withdrawal syndrome.” In this case, the body has to restore its “known” mode of operation for almost three months. The point is that he needs to learn to produce his own hormones.
By the way, women who do not want to get pregnant during this period should be especially careful. When taking hormonal drugs, the ovaries sometimes increase their function. At the same time, eggs begin to form faster, and the chances of pregnancy increase accordingly. In addition, the likelihood of multiple pregnancies increases significantly.
Recommendations for taking oral contraceptives
It is important to know that oral contraceptives are solely a method of contraception, but do not protect against intimate diseases. It should be remembered that the wrong choice of medication can cause irreversible harm to the body.
For this reason, it is never recommended to select oral contraceptives on your own. Currently, almost 85% of women take these pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The use of many hormonal contraceptives is often associated with a deficiency of certain vitamins. Often, along with them, it is necessary to take carefully selected mineral elements and vitamins in order to reduce the negative consequences and preserve a woman’s ability to reproduce.
Method of action
The effect of the drug is provided by a substance similar to progesterone — the “pregnancy hormone”. In addition to progesterone, the tablets may contain a combination with estrogen. Therefore they are divided into two types:
- Combination
- Progestin (combination of progesterone and estrogen)
Progestogen contraceptives contain only antigestagens. These are substances active in the uterus that have the effect of progesterone. Pharmacists are constantly looking for new suitable substances, since the new drugs developed are as effective as possible and the level of side effects is minimized.
There are already four generations of gestanic drugs. They work like this:
Top 7. the best birth control pills for young girls and after 30, 40, 50. rating 2020!
Changes in the properties of the internal endometrium do not allow stable placement of the embryo.
Almost 40% of women using these drugs experience an almost complete decrease in ovulation.
In most cases, progestin contraceptives contain desogestrel (gestagen 3). To achieve contraceptive effectiveness, small doses are sufficient.
At the same time, this type of contraception is prescribed to nursing mothers without any problems. This is because it does not affect lactation. Progestin drugs are also recommended for contraindications to estrogen. This indicates high blood pressure or thrombosis.
In addition, the use of birth control pills can have negative consequences.
- Intertracheal bleeding.
- Climax.
Birth control pills do not harm women”s health, but a combination of pills is prescribed to eliminate side effects. Estrogenic component: contains synthetic or natural estradiol. These medications are best for controlling the menstrual cycle because estrogens are designed to prevent clinical bleeding.
They can also compensate for a woman”s lack of estrogen. While taking the pill, estrogen production is significantly reduced. This is due to the lack of follicular growth and ovulation.
The amount of hormones in tablets
The amount of hormones in hormonal contraceptives varies depending on the day of administration. This is what distinguishes monophasic from polyphasic varieties.
Monophasic pills contain exactly the same amount of progestogen and estrogen in each pill.
These two phases are divided into two types: monophasic and polyphasic. Both contain the same amount of estrogen. They differ only in the level of progestin. It is lower in the first half of the cycle and, correspondingly, higher in the second half.
The three phases contain three types of pills. During the first phase of pill administration, the progestogen concentration decreases, then increases mid-cycle, and finally begins to match that of a monophasic pill. Because they coincide with the natural cycle, these medications are prescribed to women whose bleeding is not suppressed or stopped by combined contraceptives. Triphasic pills are also prescribed to patients with estrogen deficiency.
Advantages of Oral Contraceptives
Pros of oral contraceptives
These medications can be used for both childbirth and birth control. Progestin-containing ingredients are also suitable for breastfeeding women.
Certain types of medications can provide:
Menstrual cycle regularity and painlessness
- Ease PMS symptoms
- Acne relief
- Elimination of acne
- Disadvantages of Oral Contraceptives
Disadvantages of oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives / what you should know / baldness, thyroid
