Birth Control Pills
Written by Jane Carrasco
The health care system was struggling even when the economy was strong in 2007. In America, 46 million people did not have any health insurance. Since then, this crazy recession began and millions of additional people have lost their health insurance and become uninsured. There are, unfortunately, many more each day.
How Do Birth Control Pills Work?
During ovulation an egg is released from the ovaries. Without ovulation there is no egg to be fertilized and pregnancy cannot occur. The extra estrogen and progesterone in your system also work to thicken your cervical mucus. This makes it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg. The Pill also causes the lining of the uterus to thin, possibly preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg.
There are both pro's and con's to using hormone pills to control your fertility.
What Types of Birth Control Pills Are Available?
The Pill
The Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill (COCP), made up of hormones, works to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation. Each of the 21 active pills in one of these packs contains the same amount of estrogen and progestin. The other seven pills are placebos and contain no hormones. It is the placebos that cause menstruation to occur.
The Continuous Use Pill
Extended-cycle birth control pills contain active hormones for every day of the month. That means you won't have a period. However, you may have some spotting or breakthrough bleeding, particularly when you first start using them.
What Is The The Mini Pill?
Similar to the pill, the Mini Pill is a month-long series of progestin-only pills that must be taken every day, at the same time each day. For increased effectiveness in the evening, it should be taken in the late afternoon.
First, like regular birth control pills, the progestin-only pill makes your body stop your ovary from releasing an egg. Second, the mini-pill causes changes in your uterus that makes your uterus less likely to let a pregnancy get started even if an egg is released. And third, the progestin-only pill thickens the mucus between your uterus and your vagina which makes it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg.
You may not have a period while taking the Mini pill, if you do have periods that means you are still ovulating and your risk for pregnancy occurring is greater. If a woman is three hours late taking the pill, she should use a backup method of birth control.
Why Chose The Mini Pill?
Three advantages to choosing the Mini Pill are: First, it can be used by breast-feeding women immediately after delivery. Second, it is an option for women who cannot use estrogen, such as those who are over 35 and still smoke. Finally, it is easily reversed.
Serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of oral contraceptives. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks, and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke. Some women should not use the Pill, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant.
Whichever pill you choose, you must remember to take it at the same time every day in order for it to be effective. Taking the pill does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.
How To Get Birth Control Pills
I am one of those people who do not have health insurance and look to buy birth control pills online, without a prescription. Not all online drug stores will distribute contraceptive medications without a script from the doctor. They want you to fax them the prescription before they will fill it.
More and more women are turning to the internet? for answers. I just want to take a second and mention how dangerous birth control pills are if you do not know what you are doing. The side effects could be life threatening. If you feel like you really should see a doctor, then you probably should, just make an appointment.
The effects of oral contraceptives are easily reversed when you decide you are ready to conceive. Birth control pills are highly effective at preventing pregnancy if you take them as directed. "The pill" is still the preferred choice for many women to control their fertility.
Disclaimer
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The content provided is intended strictly for informational purposes to help patient understanding of medical terms and conditions.