Birth control pills also known as oral contraceptives  use synthetic hormones to prevent pregnancy.  There are two types : combined and progesterone only. The combination one  contains  synthetic estrogen and progesterone.

If taken at the same time each day and if each pack is started on time, oral contraceptives are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However it is usually 93 to 98% effective on the average because women usually miss a pill or do not start the new pack on time.

Birth control pills are reversible. Most women ovulate and start their menstrual cycle within 4 to 6 weeks after they  stop taking the pill. If you don’t get your period 2 to 3 months after stopping the pill, you should take a pregnancy test. You should know that they do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.

How do they work ?

They are designed to prevent pregnancy in one of 3 ways.

• prevent ovulation each month
• causes the cervix to produce thick and less mucus so that sperms cannot easily enter the uterus
• changes the uterus lining  (thins) which makes it more difficult for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus should ovulation and fertilization occur

How do use the birth control pills

They are obtained by prescription.  They usually come in a package of 28 pills that contain 21 active pills with hormones and 7 placebo. It is recommended that you take the pills at the same time each day.

What if i forget to take my pills

If you forget to take the pills, you will have irregular bleeding. This will increase your risk of getting pregnant. Take the pill as soon as you remember and take the next pill at the usual time.

If you forget to take 2 or more pills in a row, you should avoid sex or use a backup method of contraception.  You should also contact your health care provider on what to do.

What are the side effects of oral contraceptives ?

The  dosage of hormones have decreased over the years and this has resulted in the decline of side effects. Some of the possible side effects include :

• pill may cause nausea,  weight gain, irregular spotting, breast tenderness, mood changes and headaches
• blood clots is a potential risk

You should not use birth control pills if you have a history of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, liver disease, breast cancer  and are over 35 years old and smoke

You should also ask your doctor before use if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular disease .

What are the health benefits of oral contraceptives ?

Some of the benefits include :

• lighter periods with less cramps
• if used for several years, it reduces your chances of developing  uterine or ovarian cancer
• decreases ovarian cyst,  endometriosis, anemia and fibrocystic  breast disease

What are the pros and cons of taking the birth control pill

PROS

• low failure rate if used as directed
• does not interrupt sexual intercourse or foreplay
• easy to use
• moderate price

CONS

• requires prescription
• chance of blood clots in the legs and arms
• side effects such as breast tenderness and nausea
• does not protect against STDs
• must be taken the same time everyday