Typically called "the pill," combined oral contraceptives have been on the market for 40 years and are the most popular form of reversible birth control in the
If a woman remembers to take the pill every day at the same time of day as directed, she has an extremely low chance of becoming pregnant. But the pill's effectiveness may be reduced if the woman is taking some medications, such as certain antibiotics.
Besides preventing pregnancy, the pill offers additional benefits. As stated in the labeling, the pill can make periods more regular and lighter. It also has a protective effect against pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the fallopian tubes or uterus that is a major cause of infertility in women, and against ovarian and endometrial cancers.
The decision whether to take the pill should be made in consultation with a health professional. Birth control pills are safe for most women--safer even than delivering a baby--but they carry some risks.
Current low-dose pills have fewer risks associated with them than earlier versions. But women over age 35 who smoke and women with certain medical conditions, such as a history of blood clots or breast or endometrial cancer, may be advised against taking the pill. The pill may contribute to cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, and blockage of the arteries.
One of the biggest questions has been whether the pill increases the risk of breast cancer in past and current pill users. An international study published in the September 1996 journal Contraception concluded that women's risk of breast cancer 10 years after going off birth control pills was no higher than that of women who had never used the pill. During pill use and for the first 10 years after stopping the pill, women's risk of breast cancer was only slightly higher in pill users than non-pill users Women who have or have had breast cancer should not use the pill because the estrogen in the pill may worse their medical condition.
Side effects of the pill, which often subside after a few months' use, include nausea, headache, breast tenderness, weight gain, irregular bleeding, and depression.
Although taken daily like combined oral contraceptives, minipills contain only the hormone progestin and no estrogen. They work by reducing and thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. They also keep the uterine lining from thickening, which prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. These pills are slightly less effective than combined oral contraceptives.
Minipills, like combined oral contraceptives, can decrease menstrual bleeding and cramps and lower the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease. Because they contain no estrogen, minipills don't present the risk of blood clots associated with estrogen in combined pills. They are a good option for new mothers who are breast-feeding, because combined oral contraceptives may decrease the quantity and quality of breast milk. They are also a good option for those who get severe headaches or high blood pressure from estrogen-containing products.
Side effects of minipills include menstrual cycle changes, weight gain, and breast tenderness.
Emergency contraceptive pill (Morning After Pill)
Two emergency contraceptive pill for use in preventing pregnancy after intercourse when standard contraceptives have failed or when no contraceptives were used at all. One product contains the hormones progestin and estrogen; the other contains just progestin.
Available by prescription only, both products are believed to work by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, or by keeping a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall. These pills are not effective once the fertilized egg has implanted.
Emergency contraceptives are about 75 percent effective, which means the number of women who would be expected to become pregnant after unprotected sex drops from eight without the "morning after pill" to two when it is used.
Side effects include nausea and vomiting, both of which were reported less frequently in women taking the progestin-only pills.
Injectable progestins
Depo-Provera, is injected by a health professional into the buttocks or arm muscle every three months. Depo-Provera prevents pregnancy in three ways: It inhibits ovulation, changes the cervical mucus to help prevent sperm from reaching the egg, and changes the uterine lining to prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. The progestin injection is extremely effective in preventing pregnancy, in large part because it requires little effort for the woman to comply: She simply has to get an injection by a doctor once every three months.
The benefits are similar to those of the minipill and another progestin-only contraceptive, Norplant. Side effects are also similar and can include irregular or missed periods (which is not harmful and does not mean that the method isn't working), weight gain, and breast tenderness.
Implantable progestins
Norplant and the newer Norplant 2, are the third type of progestin-only contraceptive. Made up of matchstick-sized rubber rods, this contraceptive is surgically implanted under the skin of the upper arm, where it steadily releases the contraceptive steroid levonorgestrel.
The six-rod Norplant provides protection for up to five years (or until it is removed), while the two-rod Norplant 2 protects for up to three years. Norplant failures are rare, but are higher with increased body weight.
Some women may experience inflammation or infection at the site of the implant. Other side effects include menstrual cycle changes, weight gain, and breast tenderness.
source: http://www.fda.gov/
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