Birth control pills are an effective way to avoid pregnancy. Read this to learn more about the pill and how it works.
What are birth control pills?
Also called oral contraceptives, birth control pills are an orally ingested hormone treatment that affects the reproductive system to prevent pregnancy.
The most common type is the combination oral contraceptive, which contains two types of synthetic female hormones. They work in tandem to suppress ovulation and affect the mucous lining around the cervix. They may also affect the lining of the uterus to prevent the fertilized egg from implanting. A less common type, and also a less effective type, is the progesterone-only system, which is known as the mini-pill.
What is a combination pill? How does it work?
The combination pill contains hormones oestrogen and progesterone — normally produced by the ovaries.
This type of pill works at three levels, making it a more effective variant.
- It suppresses the pituitary gland, which inhibits the development and release of the egg in the ovary.
- Even if the egg is released, the hormone causes the mucous around the cervix to thicken. This makes it difficult for the sperm to pass through the cervix into the uterus or the fallopian tubes.
- Also, it affects the lining of the uterus. So even if an egg gets fertilised, it is prevented from getting implanted.
How does the mini-pill work?
The mini-pill or the low-dose progesterone pill contains only progesterone unlike the combination pill that has both oestrogen and progesterone. This pill works mainly by affecting the cervical mucous, and the lining of the uterus.
This pill might be slightly less effective, especially if not taken regularly — at the same time – every day.
More about birth control pills
- Birth control pills of both types must be taken regularly, and missing a pill might lead to pregnancy if other precautions are not taken.
- The hormone therapy needs to be taken for 21 out of 28 days of the cycle. Some pill packs come with pills for all 28 days, with 7 placebo pills, since it makes it easier for the women to maintain the habit of taking a pill daily.
- There are several kinds of birth control pills available in the market. One is likely to experience mild side effects for the first few months of taking the pill, but if they cause too much discomfort, another system can be tried.
- A pill is effective not just in preventing pregnancy (the success rate is extremely high if one is regular), but also in treating heavy and painful menstrual flow, menstrual cramps, anaemia caused by heavy bleeding, and even acne. It is for this reason that the pill is recommended for teenagers, whether they are sexually active or not.
- The pill does not provide protection against STIs/ STDs so the use of a condom is still advised when one has sex, especially if the pill course was interrupted.
Still thinking whether you should pop that pill? Read our article on the pros and cons of a birth control pill.
Photograph courtesy sxc.hu
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