All you need to know about birth control pills

There are many contraceptive methods for women, and few of them have proven their worth, and among these methods were the contraceptive pill, around which a lot of question marks revolved. Contraception.

Studies have indicated that oral contraceptives are one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy, but it has been observed that they are used in wrong ways, which may lead to several negative effects on its user, such as the possibility of an unexpected pregnancy, and through a simplified understanding of its principle of action and awareness of its side effects and risks. Underestimating its use can reach 100% efficacy. They are pills that contain hormones that stop or prevent ovulation. A woman's ovaries secrete eggs, and without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized by a sperm, and thus pregnancy cannot occur.

There are two types of birth control pills:

Combined pills that contain more than one hormone: they contain estrogen and progestin.
Mini pills that contain the hormone progestin.

Progestin may prevent ovulation, but it is not completely reliable, and the action of the progestin hormone is by increasing the thickness of the mucous secretions around the cervix and thus preventing sperm from reaching the uterus, and the uterine wall is also affected by these secretions and prevents fertilized eggs from sticking to the lining of the uterus One hormone pill is taken daily and may prevent menstruation from occurring while taking it.

As for the combined contraceptive pill, it is sold in the form of tablets that are sufficient for a period of 21 or 28 days, and one pill is taken daily at the same time for a period of 21 days, and it is stopped for 7 days at the end of the tablets, and in the case of 28 tablets, it is continued to be taken throughout the month because seven tablets The appendix contains no hormones and only serves as a reminder to the woman so she doesn't forget to take the pill at the same time.

Complications and side effects:

No woman can resort to using birth control pills without consulting her doctor, despite that, the side effects of these pills are not very dangerous, they may cause nausea, vomiting, and a slight headache, and often these symptoms disappear during the first three months of use.

But on the other hand, there are some symptoms that threaten a woman’s life, including blood clots and strokes, so any woman is advised when she feels a severe headache or severe pain in the chest, abdomen or legs, immediately stop taking the pills and consult a doctor immediately.

These risks also increase with smoking, because cigarettes expose a person to serious vascular disorders, especially among women over the age of 35, so it is recommended that women refrain from smoking while taking the pills.

How to use birth control pills effectively?

Take the pills regularly every day at the same time.

Carefully follow the instructions accompanying the contraceptive method.

When starting to use the contraceptive pill for the first time, another method must be used, such as a condom, for a period of 7 days, because these pills need a period of no less than seven days to show their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.

Use an alternative method of contraception, such as a condom, if two or more pills are forgotten in one cycle.

If a woman is dependent on antibiotic treatment, ask the specialist if the antibiotic will reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill.

A pregnant woman should immediately stop taking the contraceptive pill when she knows that she is pregnant.

What does a woman do when she forgets to take a pill?
First: In the case of compound pills:

In general, if a woman is 12 hours late from taking the pill, there is a chance of pregnancy.

If a woman forgets to take the pill but 24 hours before taking the pill, the woman takes the pill immediately and resumes her usual pill program.

If the woman remembers that she forgot the pill on the next day, after 24 hours have passed, she must take the pill of the previous day with the pill of that day on which she remembered at the same time.

But if you forgot the pill for more than two days, you should take the pill that day and the previous day, with a seven-day condom.

A woman forgets to take the pill in the third week, she must finish all pills except for the last seven pills (which do not contain hormones), and immediately start taking the new pills after finishing the previous pills.

Second: If you forget to take a dose of mono-hormonal (progesterone) pills, take it as soon as you remember.

Frequently asked questions about birth control pills

Do birth control pills protect against sexually transmitted diseases?

No, it is necessary to use another method of contraception (mechanical methods), especially the condom, which is highly effective in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Do birth control pills help with breast cancer?

Breast cancer has been diagnosed in women who take oral contraceptives with a slight increase than other women of the same age who do not take contraceptive pills, so it is recommended that women examine their breasts self and constantly.

Do birth control pills cause weight gain?

It does not cause any weight gain

Do birth control pills cause infertility?

There is no evidence that birth control pills cause infertility