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Thanks to the performance of specialists and women who did not accept the condition of sex having the sole focus of procreation, the most effective method of preventing unwanted pregnancies was created, within reach of all, and yet, the most used in the list of contraceptive methods. The contraceptive pill was developed in the year 1960, and until today it has been the easiest and most inexpensive way for women to prevent themselves.
What is the Birth Control Pill?
The contraceptive pill are small pills that are produced based on hormones, with the sole focus of preventing ovulation from happening , in addition to making the cervical mucus thicker, making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg, in case ovulation occurs due to use improper use of the method. Thus, the contraceptive pill ends up generating two protective barriers, ensuring greater effectiveness.
There are two types of birth control pills , one that is produced using a combination of hormones estrogen and synthetic progesterone and the other that is called a mini-pill, which is made up of a single hormone, progesterone, which is an option for women who are restricted to estrogen use.
If used correctly, it offers 98% effectiveness as a method of preventing unwanted pregnancies. In addition to preventing pregnancy, it is still recommended as a method of hormonal regularization, regulating menstruation, in combating acne , in treating cysts and still acts in the control of the uncomfortable symptoms of PMS , such as severe cramps. It considerably reduces menstrual flow, giving a better quality of life for women who suffer from intense flow these days, still reducing the chances of anemia, precisely because they do not lose a lot of blood more during this period. However, we need to warn that there are not only benefits that the contraceptive pill provides, of course it is not a rule, but we need to expose the possibilities.
How to use the contraceptive pill?
The use of the contraceptive pill is relatively easy to use but requires caution, attention and above all to be a controlled woman in order to guarantee its effectiveness. The use of the contraceptive pill is daily and it is recommended that it is always done at the same time of the day. It is necessary to take 1 tablet a day until the end of the pack, always respecting the markings of the day of the week to ensure that it is taken correctly every day.
Normal contraceptive pills usually have 21 pills in the pack , and after completion, give a 7-day break for menstruation to occur and then a new pack is started. This pause period can vary from pill to pill model, and this pause can be 4, 5 or 7 days as we have already mentioned. But, there are also contraceptive pills for continuous use, that it is not necessary to give a pause period and one card must be amended in the other. Taking the last pill from the pack, the next day a new pack should be started.
There are some types of contraceptive pill that even make pills without effect to be taken during the break, ensuring that you do not forget to start the new pack at the correct time. For women who are not so controlled and are unable to do the monthly planning in a regulated way, it is the best way to use the method with greater precision.
Contraceptive Pill Side Effects
The contraceptive pill is really a safe, low-cost method that is accessible to all women, since it is possible to find and buy it at any pharmacy and with prices that fit in all pockets, including SUS (Unified Health System ) makes available to all women free of charge in their pharmacies, after being indicated by the gynecologist.
But even though it is a safe and effective contraceptive method, it is necessary to highlight the possible side effects that it can generate and that can often be solved with the change of brand or hormonal composition. That is why it is essential that the use is initiated through the indication of your gynecologist, who will prescribe the ideal for your organism and monitor the side effects, if it occurs, and can indicate the exchange if necessary.
Headaches
Many women report that they started experiencing severe headaches after using some types of contraceptive pill, pains so intense, that they even cause nausea and nausea. This effect is related to the major hormonal change that the body receives when it starts using the hormonal contraceptive method. It is considered a normal effect in the first weeks or first month of use, but it should be informed to the gynecologist in case of severe pain that is preventing your routine from being performed normally. If symptoms persist for more than 3 packs, the gynecologist may recommend changing the birth control pill.
Gain not Weight
This is the most “claimed” side effect among women due to the use of the contraceptive pill. But let’s uncover a myth that surrounds this subject, since many women strongly believe that the fact that they have gained extra pounds is the fault of the hormones. But in fact it is not the pill that is to blame, but the changes in the body in relation to hormone levels, which can cause an increase in appetite or even swelling caused by fluid retention.
The ideal is to maintain a balanced diet and physical exercise to ensure weight control and, of course, a healthy body. But if the weight gain is too great, talk to your gynecologist so that he can evaluate and if it is pertinent, change the component used . Usually this side effect is related to pills that are used continuously or in contraceptive methods for subcutaneous implantation.
Decreased Libido
One of the effects that the pill can bring and end up becoming a big problem in relationships, is the lack of libido. This side effect can happen due to reduced production of the hormone testosterone. The ideal is to talk to your gynecologist to adjust the hormone levels and, if necessary, even make a hormone replacement to solve the problem.
Mood changes
The use of the hormones of the contraceptive pills for a long time, can cause the reduction of the production of the hormone serotonin, which is the hormone related to the mood of the human being. With this altered production, changes in mood become common, increasing the chances of depressive conditions to happen. In these cases, the recommendation is to change the contraceptive method, such as using an IUD, diaphragm or even the contraceptive patch.
When should I stop taking birth control pills?
The contraceptive pill can be used by all women, except when some health problem is noticed and the gynecologist believes the suspension is more viable, especially if you have restriction to one of the hormonal components. If the side effects are so intense, they are making it impossible for women to have a normal and healthy life, the ideal is to talk to your doctor and change your medication or think about changing your contraceptive method.
Currently it is possible to choose among many which is the best method, which suits your need and especially your body. Therefore, it is essential that you talk to your doctor about all the different symptoms and signs that you will experience after starting any contraceptive method. The use of contraceptives should be a form of safety and precaution to avoid having an unwanted pregnancy and not as torture or something uncomfortable for your body and day-to-day. Test all the methods until you find what is most comfortable for your body and live happily.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
