Birth control is a way for people to reduce maternity. There are several different methods of birth control, including hormonal contraception for example “the pill.”
Women take the pill by mouth to stop pregnancy, also, when taken properly, it is all up to 99.9percent effective. However, the pill doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). The latex male condom provides the best protection from most STDs. Other kinds of combined estrogen and progestin hormonal contraception comprise the patch and also the vaginal ring.
Mini pills contain only 1 hormone (progestin). They do not include estrogen and may be prescribed in women that are breastfeeding or in women who undergo nausea or other unwanted effects of estrogen.
Mini tablets work by thickening the cervical mucus so the sperm can’t reach the egg. The hormone at the pills also affects the lining of the uterus, so that the implantation of a fertilized egg is much less likely to occur. Sometimes, mini pills stop the release of an egg. A pill is taken daily.
If mini pills are used consistently and properly, they’re about 95% successful — marginally less effective than normal birth control pills.
There are side effects of birth control pills, even though the majority aren’t serious. Side effects include:
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Sore or swollen breasts
- Small amounts of blood, or spotting, between periods
- Lighter periods
- Mood changes
The other side effects, easily remembered by the term “ACHES”, are less common but more serious. If you notice any of them, contact your health care provider immediately. If you cannot reach your doctor, go to an emergency room or urgent care center for evaluation. These signs can indicate a serious illness, for example, liver disorder, gallbladder disorder, stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, or heart disease. They include:
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Chest pain
- Headaches (severe)
- Eye problems (blurred vision)
- Swelling or aching in the legs and thighs
Birth control pills that contain drospirenone, such as YAZ and Yasmin, have been investigated by the FDA due to the chance they might cause an increased risk for blood clots. Drospirenone is a manmade variant of the hormone progesterone.