This really is an introductory explanation of the different types of oral contraceptive pills that may help you to finally select the one which is best for the body. 50 years on, we have learned that the oral contraceptive pill for girls still prevents pregnancy when it is comprised of much lower doses of estrogen and progestin than in the early days. ‘The Pill’ used to contain 50-100 micrograms of estrogen and today it contains only 20-35 micrograms, with researchers trying to reduce this amount further to reduce side effects. Synthetic hormones (estrogen/ethinyl estradiol and progestin) utilized in contraceptive pills mimic the natural hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) created by the ovaries, adrenal gland and liver.

Estrogen’s main job in a contraceptive pill is to stop ovulation (release of an egg from a woman’s ovary). Progestin in the pill, although it does possess some intermittent effect on ovulation (about 50% of the time) is relied on mainly to thicken the mucus round the cervix to prevent sperm from getting right through to an egg.

Contraceptive Pills can be found in two basic types: single hormone pills (progestin only) and combination hormone pills (estrogen + progestin) Pills are supplied in two basic packs- 28 day pill packs= 3 weeks of active hormone pills +1 week placebo pills and 21 day pill packs= 3 weeks of active hormone pills without placebo pills.

PROGESTIN only pills (the ‘mini pill’) don’t contain estrogen and only have a small amount of progestin in them. Breastfeeding women in many cases are prescribed these ‘mini pills’ (estrogen may cause a lowering of milk supply) along with women who cannot take synthetic estrogen for medical reasons. Negative effects are less than pills containing estrogen and they are not associated with heart problems, however, irregular bleeding /spotting/mood swings may occur. Progestin only pills MUST be used at once each day and are influenced by vomiting or diarrhoea.This type of contraceptive pill is not affected by antibiotics.

COMBINATION PILLS- contain estrogen and progestin and can be further categorized as being Monophasic, Biphasic or Triphasic- what exactly do these terms mean? Pills are put in these categories in accordance with if the levels of hormones they contain stay exactly the same through the first three weeks of a woman’s menstrual cycle (in 28 day pill packs, the pills for the fourth week in the pack are placebo or ‘reminder pills’ which can be inactive and don’t contain any hormones)

MONOPHASIC Pill- is one which contains exactly the same level of hormones in every ACTIVE pill so you are less likely to have mood swings as your hormone levels don’t vary much through the month. Popular monophasic pills include:Alesse, Brevicon, Desogen, Levlen, Levlite, Loestrin, Modicon, Nelova, Nordette, Norinyl,Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Yasmin. In 2003 the FDA approved a fresh packaging of a monophasic contraceptive pill called Seasonale. This pill is taken for 91 days, during buy hydrocodone online  which no periods occur -so in one year, women taking this pill is only going to have 4 periods (for the first year though, expect exactly the same no. of menstrual days just like a normal contraceptive pill till the human body adjusts)

BIPHASIC PIll- is one which contains different levels of hormones through the pack. These pills alter your hormone levels once through your cycle by increasing the dosage of progestin about halfway during your cycle and are considered to better match your body’s natural production of hormones- they contain smaller doses of hormones as a whole than monophasic pills. However, insufficient evidence has been gathered to favour these pills over monophasic ones, where much more reliable data can be acquired so monophasic pills are preferred. Breakthrough bleeding has been reported as a side effect with these pills. Popular biphasic pills include : Jenest, Mircette, Necon 10/11, Nelova 10/11, Ortho-Novum 10/11. Attempts to decrease side effects generated the three-phase pill in the 1980s.

TRIPHASE pill- is one which contains 3 different levels of hormones in the ACTIVE pills over three weeks, i.e. a big change in hormone levels within the body occurs every 7 days for the first 3 weeks.. The dose of estrogen is gradually increased and in a few pills, the dose of progestin can be increased. Whether three-phase pills cause fewer pregnancies than two-phase pills is unknown. Nor could it be known if the pills give better cycle control or have fewer side effects. Look for the ‘TRI’ on the label such as for example:Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Triphasil, Tri-Levlen, Trivora, Tri-Norinyl, other brands include: Cyclessa, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7.

The Best Pill to Take – All contraceptive pills are effective if taken correctly, with combination pills (containing both estrogen and progestin) being more efficient compared to the low dose ‘mini pill’ ;.Monophasic pills may be the best in the first place because they are cheaper and people that have lower levels of estrogen may have fewer side effects (but more breakthrough bleeding)

Always use back up (a condom or diaphragm) for the remaining month if you miss a pill. Trial and error, side effects and conversing with your doctor should help you to find a contraceptive pill that suits your body. Pregnancies occur mainly when women forget to take a pill or bring them incorrectly, vomit, get diarrhoea or, in case of the mini pill, don’t take pills at once each day. It’s super easy to start a pill packet late if you only forget or if you don’t have the next new packet on hand. The most dangerous time to miss a pill is at the conclusion or beginning of a box because it lengthens the pill free gap beyond 7 days which means that may very well not have absorbed sufficient synthetic hormones to stop you from ovulating next month.