About Oral Contraceptive Pills

By Saheli Plus | November 11, 2022

Steroidal Oral Contraceptive Pills are composed of hormones estrogen and progesterone. They create an impact on the hormone levels in the body to prevent pregnancy.

Fundamentals of contraception

  • All contraceptives work by interfering with any one of the following Circumstances.
  • Production of sperm and ovum
  • Fusion of sperm and ovum (fertilisation)
  • Implantation of fertilised ovum to inner lining of uterus (nidation)

Types of Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs)

There are three categories of OCPs. They are:

Combined Pills

Combined pills contain a combination of two female hormones - Oestrogen and Progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone primarily responsible for preventing pregnancy, and the Oestrogen component controls menstrual cycle.

Combined pills work by:

  • Preventing ovulation
  • Thickening cervical mucous and preventing sperm penetration
  • Preventing the embryo from maturing
  • Thinning endometrial thickness, thus preventing implantation.

Progestin - only Pills

Progestin-only pills are aimed at women who should not take Oestrogen. Unlike combined OCPs, they do not contain Oestrogen, but have Progestin - a hormone that is similar to the female hormone, Progesterone.

These pills work by:

  • Preventing ovulation
  • Thickening cervical mucous and preventing sperm from reaching the ovum
  • Preventing the embryo from maturing
  • Thinning endometrial thickness, thus preventing implantation.

Emergency Contraceptive Pills

Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) should be used within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse or during the failure of any contraceptive method.

If you miss two or more regular birth control pills, you should also consider taking ECP the morning after.

It cannot be consumed regularly as it has adverse side-effects including ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus) after long term use.

ECP is not a regular contraceptive pill

Disadvantages of Hormonal OCPs

Progestin-only pills can cause blood clot as adverse long-term effect, especially for women who are over-weight, have high blood pressure and are on bed rest for long periods. Hormonal OCPs bring with them a lot of side-effects.
Combined pills can cause:
  • Acne
  • Anixety
  • Bloating
  • Blood Clots
  • Breast Tenderness
  • Hirusitism
  • Migraine
  • Mood Swings
  • Nausea
  • Weight Gain

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