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 The Male Condom
The Female Condom
Diaphragm
Cervical cap
Contraceptive Sponge
Implants (Norplant)
Shots (Depo-Provera)
Birth Control Pills
IUDs
Emergency Contraception
The Birth Control Pill ("The Pill")
Often called "the Pill",
birth
control pills contain two hormones - estrogen and progestin.
Birth control pills work by preventing the monthly release of
an egg, making pregnancy impossible. The Pill also prevents
pregnancy by thickening the mucus of the cervix, making it
difficult for sperm to reach both the uterus and fallopian
tubes.
One pill is taken daily for 3 weeks, at which point, either
the woman stops taking a pill for a week or takes a pill
without hormones. It is during the fourth week while the pill
is stopped that a women menstruates.
Different kinds of birth control pills contain different
amounts of hormones. It is usually recommended that the lowest
possible dose required to be effective be taken. Lower doses
usually cause fewer potential side effects.
The birth control pill is considered 99.9% effective for those
who take it properly. Key to successful use of the Pill is
taking it every day and starting a new cycle of pills on time.
The Pill also offers other health benefits in addition to
preventing pregnancy. It has been shown to protect against
certain cancers, for example. However, some side effects are
usually experienced for the first few months of taking the
Pill, but usually will subside with continued use. Although
serious side effects are rare, the Pill is not usually
prescribed for women with diabetes, high blood pressure or who
are seriously overweight or obese.
The birth control pill is not
for everyone. Do not take the Pill if you have or exhibit any
of the following:
-
Any history of stroke
-
Thrombophlebitis or
thromboembolic disorder or a history of blood clots
-
Any history of angina, heart
attack or heart failure
-
Any history of kidney disease
-
Those who are over 35 and smoke
-
Migraine headaches
-
High blood pressure
-
Diabetes
-
Active gallbladder disease or
disease with jaundice
-
Those over 50 years of age
-
Immediately following childbirth
-
Any medications or psychological
illness that would prevent taking the medication consistently
or correctly
Visit the Reproductive Health
Online website, sponsored by Johns Hopkins University for more
information about
reproductive health and birth control methods. |
