How long does it take for the combined pill to become effective. What are the different types of combined pills available. How does the combined pill work to prevent pregnancy. What are the potential side effects of taking the combined pill. How effective is the combined pill at preventing pregnancy.

Understanding the Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill

The combined oral contraceptive pill, commonly referred to as “the pill,” is a widely used form of birth control. It contains synthetic versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are naturally produced in the ovaries. The primary function of the pill is to prevent pregnancy by interfering with the natural reproductive process.

How Does the Combined Pill Work?

The combined pill prevents pregnancy through several mechanisms:

• Inhibiting ovulation: The pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month.
• Thickening cervical mucus: This makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach an egg.
• Thinning the uterine lining: This reduces the chances of a fertilized egg implanting in the uterus.

Effectiveness of the Combined Pill

When used correctly, the combined pill is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. But just how effective is it?

• Over 99% effective when used perfectly
• Less than 1 in 100 women using the pill correctly will become pregnant in a year
• Effectiveness can be reduced by certain factors, such as missed pills or interactions with other medications

While the combined pill is highly effective, it’s important to note that other methods of contraception, such as the IUD, IUS, implant, and injection, may offer even higher levels of protection against pregnancy.

Types of Combined Pills

There are various brands of combined pills available, which can be categorized into three main types:

1. Monophasic 21-day Pills

This is the most common type of combined pill. Each pill in the pack contains the same amount of hormones. Users take one pill daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break. Examples of monophasic pills include Microgynon, Marvelon, and Yasmin.

2. Phasic 21-day Pills

Phasic pills contain two or three sections of different colored pills in a pack, each section containing varying amounts of hormones. These pills must be taken in the correct order. An example of a phasic pill is Logynon.

3. Every Day (ED) Pills

ED pills come in packs of 28, containing 21 active pills and 7 inactive (dummy) pills. Users take one pill every day without breaks between packs. Microgynon ED is an example of this type of pill.

How to Take the Combined Pill

The effectiveness of the combined pill relies heavily on proper usage. How should you take the pill to ensure maximum effectiveness?

Standard 21-day Pill Regimen

1. Start with the first pill from the packet marked with the correct day of the week.
2. Take one pill at the same time each day for 21 days.
3. Take a 7-day break from pill-taking.
4. Start the next pack on the 8th day, even if you’re still bleeding.

Every Day Pill Regimen

1. Begin with the pill marked “start” in the packet.
2. Take one pill daily, following the correct order, preferably at the same time each day.
3. Continue taking pills for all 28 days, including the 7 inactive pills.
4. Start a new pack immediately after finishing the previous one.

Tailored Regimens

Some users may opt for tailored regimens, which can involve taking the pill for extended periods without breaks or with shorter breaks. These regimens should be discussed with a healthcare provider to ensure they’re suitable for individual needs.

Potential Benefits Beyond Contraception

While the primary purpose of the combined pill is contraception, it may offer additional benefits for some users. Can the pill help with other health issues?

• May help reduce heavy or painful periods
• Can alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Potential to manage symptoms of endometriosis

It’s important to discuss these potential benefits with a healthcare provider, as individual experiences may vary.

Side Effects and Risks

Like all medications, the combined pill can cause side effects in some users. What are the potential side effects and risks associated with taking the combined pill?

Common Side Effects

• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches

These side effects often subside within a few months of starting the pill. Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that the pill causes weight gain.

Serious Risks

While rare, there are some serious risks associated with the combined pill:

• Slightly increased risk of blood clots
• Slightly increased risk of cervical cancer

The combined pill may not be suitable for women over 35 who smoke or those with certain medical conditions. It’s crucial to discuss your medical history and any concerns with a healthcare provider before starting the pill.

Important Considerations

When considering or using the combined pill, there are several important factors to keep in mind:

• The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using condoms in addition to the pill can provide protection against STIs.
• Some medications may interfere with the effectiveness of the pill. Always inform your healthcare provider about any medications you’re taking.
• Missing pills, vomiting, or severe diarrhea can reduce the pill’s effectiveness.
• There may be a link between the pill and depression, although evidence is mixed and more research is needed.

When Does the Pill Become Effective?

A common question among new users is how long it takes for the pill to become effective. When does the combined pill start working to prevent pregnancy?

• If you start the pill on the first day of your period, you’re protected against pregnancy immediately.
• If you start the pill on any other day of your menstrual cycle, you need to use additional contraception (such as condoms) for the first 7 days of pill-taking.

It’s crucial to follow the instructions provided with your specific pill brand and consult with a healthcare provider if you have any doubts about when you’re protected.

Factors That Can Affect Effectiveness

Several factors can impact the effectiveness of the combined pill:

• Missed or late pills
• Vomiting or severe diarrhea
• Certain medications, including some antibiotics and anti-epilepsy drugs
• Some herbal remedies, such as St. John’s Wort

If any of these situations occur, it’s important to use additional contraception and consult with a healthcare provider.

Choosing the Right Contraceptive Method

While the combined pill is a popular choice, it’s not the only option for contraception. How can you determine if the combined pill is the right choice for you?

• Consider your lifestyle and ability to take a pill at the same time each day
• Evaluate your medical history and any contraindications
• Discuss your options with a healthcare provider
• Consider other factors such as desire for regular periods, need for STI protection, and potential non-contraceptive benefits

Remember, what works best for one person may not be ideal for another. It’s essential to make an informed decision based on your individual needs and circumstances.

Alternative Contraceptive Methods

If the combined pill isn’t suitable for you, there are numerous other contraceptive options available:

• Progestogen-only pill (mini-pill)
• Contraceptive implant
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Contraceptive injection
• Contraceptive patch
• Vaginal ring
• Barrier methods (condoms, diaphragms)
• Natural family planning methods

Each method has its own set of advantages, disadvantages, and effectiveness rates. Consulting with a healthcare provider can help you explore these options and find the best fit for your needs.

The Importance of Regular Check-ups

Regular check-ups are an essential part of using the combined pill safely and effectively. Why are these check-ups important?

• Monitor for any side effects or complications
• Assess whether the pill is still the best contraceptive option for you
• Update your medical history and check for any new contraindications
• Discuss any concerns or questions you may have

Most healthcare providers recommend an annual check-up for pill users, although more frequent visits may be necessary in some cases.

What to Expect During a Check-up

During a contraceptive check-up, your healthcare provider may:

• Check your blood pressure
• Calculate your BMI
• Discuss any side effects you’ve experienced
• Review your medical history and any new medications
• Perform or recommend relevant health screenings

These check-ups are an opportunity to ensure that you’re using the pill safely and to address any concerns you may have about your contraceptive method.

Myths and Misconceptions About the Combined Pill

Despite its widespread use, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding the combined pill. Let’s address some of these common misunderstandings:

Myth: The Pill Causes Weight Gain

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that the combined pill causes weight gain. While some users may experience fluid retention or slight weight fluctuations, these effects are typically temporary.

Myth: You Need to Take a Break from the Pill

It’s not necessary to take regular breaks from the pill. In fact, taking breaks can increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. The pill can be taken continuously for many years if desired and medically appropriate.

Myth: The Pill Affects Future Fertility

Using the combined pill does not affect your future fertility. Once you stop taking the pill, your fertility typically returns to normal quickly, although it may take a few months for your menstrual cycle to regulate.

Myth: The Pill Protects Against STIs

The combined pill does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections. Barrier methods, such as condoms, should be used in conjunction with the pill if STI protection is needed.

Dispelling these myths is crucial for users to make informed decisions about their contraceptive choices and to use the pill effectively and safely.

The Future of Contraception

As medical research advances, what does the future hold for contraception? While the combined pill has been a revolutionary form of birth control for decades, ongoing research is exploring new options and improvements:

• Development of male contraceptive pills
• New formulations with fewer side effects
• Long-acting reversible contraceptives with easier insertion and removal
• Contraceptives that also protect against STIs

These advancements aim to provide more options, improve user experience, and increase contraceptive effectiveness. However, it’s important to note that many of these developments are still in research phases and may not be available for several years.

The Role of Technology in Contraception

Technology is also playing an increasing role in contraception:

• Smartphone apps for tracking fertility and pill reminders
• Digital platforms for contraceptive counseling and prescription
• Wearable devices for monitoring fertility signs

While these technological advancements can be helpful tools, it’s crucial to remember that they should be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, professional medical advice.

Making Informed Decisions About Contraception

Choosing a contraceptive method is a personal decision that can have significant impacts on your health and lifestyle. How can you ensure you’re making the best decision for your individual needs?

• Educate yourself about different contraceptive options
• Consult with healthcare providers to discuss your medical history and lifestyle
• Consider factors such as effectiveness, ease of use, side effects, and non-contraceptive benefits
• Regularly reassess your contraceptive needs as your life circumstances change

Remember, the best contraceptive method is one that you can use consistently and correctly. What works well for one person may not be the ideal choice for another.

The Importance of Open Communication

Open communication is crucial when it comes to contraception:

• Discuss contraception with your partner(s)
• Be honest with your healthcare provider about your sexual activity and health history
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions or voice concerns about your contraceptive method

By fostering open communication, you can ensure that you’re using contraception effectively and addressing any issues promptly.

In conclusion, the combined oral contraceptive pill remains a popular and effective method of birth control. By understanding how it works, how to use it correctly, and what factors can affect its effectiveness, users can make informed decisions about their contraceptive choices. As with any medical decision, it’s crucial to consult with healthcare providers and regularly review your contraceptive needs to ensure you’re using the method that best suits your individual circumstances.

Combined pill – NHS

The combined oral contraceptive pill is often just called “the pill”. It contains artificial versions of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which are produced naturally in the ovaries.

If sperm reaches an egg (ovum), pregnancy can happen. Contraception tries to stop this happening usually by keeping the egg and sperm apart or by stopping the release of an egg (ovulation).

Credit:

At a glance: the combined pill

• When taken correctly, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This means that fewer than 1 in 100 who use the combined pill as contraception will get pregnant in 1 year.
• The standard way to take the pill is to take 1 every day for 21 days, then have a break for 7 days, and during this week you have a bleed like a period. You start taking the pill again after 7 days.
• You may be able to take some types of pill with no or shorter breaks (a tailored regime), which may reduce some side effects. Speak to a doctor or nurse about your options.
• You need to take the pill at around the same time every day. You could get pregnant if you do not do this, or if you miss a pill, or vomit or have severe diarrhoea.
• Some medicines may make the pill less effective. Check with your doctor if you’re taking any other tablets.
• If you have heavy periods or painful periods, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or endometriosis the combined pill may help.
• Minor side effects include mood swings, nausea, breast tenderness and headaches – these usually settle down in a few months.
• There is no evidence that the pill will make you gain weight.
• There’s a very low risk of serious side effects, such as blood clots and cervical cancer.
• The combined pill is not suitable if you are over 35 and smoke, or if you have certain medical conditions.
• The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so use a condom as well.
• There may be a link between the pill and depression but evidence is mixed and further research is needed.

How the combined pill works

How it prevents pregnancy

The pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation). It also:

• thickens the mucus in the neck of the womb, so it is harder for sperm to penetrate the womb and reach an egg
• thins the lining of the womb, so there is less chance of a fertilised egg implanting into the womb and being able to grow

The pill is over 99% effective if used correctly. Other methods of contraception are better at preventing pregnancy, such as the IUD, IUS, implant and injection.

There are many different brands of pill, made up of 3 main types:

Monophasic 21-day pills

This is the most common type. Each pill has the same amount of hormone in it. One pill is taken each day for 21 days and then no pills are taken for the next 7 days. Microgynon, Marvelon and Yasmin are examples of this type of pill.

Phasic 21-day pills

Phasic pills contain 2 or 3 sections of different coloured pills in a pack. Each section contains a different amount of hormones. One pill is taken each day for 21 days and then no pills are taken for the next 7 days. Phasic pills need to be taken in the right order. Logynon is an example of this type of pill.

Every day (ED) pills

There are 21 active pills and 7 inactive (dummy) pills in a pack. The two types of pill look different. One pill is taken each day for 28 days with no break between packets of pills. Every day pills need to be taken in the right order. Microgynon ED is an example of this type of pill.

Follow the instructions that come with your packet. If you have any questions, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

It’s important to take the pills as instructed, because missing pills or taking them at the same time as certain medicines may make them less effective.

How to take 21-day pills – standard regime

• Take your 1st pill from the packet marked with the correct day of the week, or the 1st pill of the 1st colour (phasic pills).
• Continue to take a pill at the same time each day until the pack is finished.
• Stop taking pills for 7 days (during these 7 days you will get a bleed).
• Start your next pack of pills on the 8th day, whether you are still bleeding or not. This should be the same day of the week as when you took your 1st pill.

How to take every day pills

• Take the 1st pill from the section of the packet marked “start”. This will be an active pill.
• Continue to take a pill every day, in the correct order and preferably at the same time each day, until the pack is finished (28 days).
• During the 7 days of taking the inactive pills, you will get a bleed.
• Start your next pack of pills after you have finished the 1st pack, whether you are still bleeding or not.

Tailored regimes

You can also take the combined pill as a tailored regime. This may include taking the pill for 21 days and stopping for 4, or taking the pill continuously without a break. For more information speak to a doctor or nurse.

Starting the combined pill

You can normally start taking the pill at any point in your menstrual cycle. There is special guidance if you have just had a baby, abortion or miscarriage. The guidance may also be different if you have a short menstrual cycle. Get advice from a doctor or nurse if you need it. You may need to use additional contraception during your 1st days on the pill – this depends on when in your menstrual cycle you start taking it.

Starting on the 1st day of your period

If you start the combined pill on the 1st day of your period (day 1 of your menstrual cycle) you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. You will not need additional contraception.

Starting on the 5th day of your cycle or before

If you start the pill on the 5th day of your period or before, you will still be protected from pregnancy straight away.

Starting after the 5th day of your cycle

You will not be protected from pregnancy straight away and will need additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days.

If you start the pill after the 5th day of your cycle, make sure you have not put yourself at risk of pregnancy since your last period. If you’re worried you’re pregnant when you start the pill, take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after the last time you had unprotected sex.

What to do if you miss a pill

If you miss a pill or pills, or you start a pack late, this can make the pill less effective at preventing pregnancy. The chance of getting pregnant after missing a pill or pills depends on:

• when the pills are missed
• how many pills are missed

Find out what to do if you miss a combined pill.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the combined pill, it may not have been fully absorbed into your bloodstream. Take another pill straight away and the next pill at your usual time.

If you continue to be sick, keep using another form of contraception until you’ve taken the pill again for 7 days without vomiting.

Very severe diarrhoea (6 to 8 watery poos in 24 hours) may also mean that the pill does not work properly. Keep taking your pill as normal, but use additional contraception, such as condoms, while you have diarrhoea and for 2 days after recovering.

Speak to a GP or nurse or call NHS 111 for more information, if your sickness or diarrhoea continues.

Who can use the combined pill

If there are no medical reasons why you cannot take the pill, and you do not smoke, you can take the pill until your menopause. However, the pill is not suitable for everyone. To find out whether the pill is right for you, talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist.

The pill may not be right for you if you:

• are pregnant
• smoke and are 35 or older
• stopped smoking less than a year ago and are 35 or older
• are very overweight
• take certain medicines

The pill may also not be right for you if you have (or have had):

• blood clots in a vein, for example in your leg or lungs
• stroke or any other disease that narrows the arteries
• anyone in your close family having a blood clot under the age of 45
• a heart abnormality or heart disease, including high blood pressure
• severe migraines, especially with aura (warning symptoms)
• breast cancer
• disease of the gallbladder or liver
• diabetes with complications or diabetes for the past 20 years

After having a baby

If you have just had a baby and are not breastfeeding, you can most likely start the pill on day 21 after the birth but you will need to check with a doctor. You will be protected against pregnancy straight away.

If you start the pill later than 21 days after giving birth, you will need additional contraception (such as condoms) for the next 7 days.

If you are breastfeeding, you’re not advised to take the combined pill until 6 weeks after the birth.

After a miscarriage or abortion

If you have had a miscarriage or abortion, you can start the pill up to 5 days after this and you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start the pill more than 5 days after the miscarriage or abortion, you’ll need to use additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days.

Advantages and disadvantages

Some advantages of the pill include:

• it does not interrupt sex
• it usually makes your bleeds regular, lighter and less painful
• it reduces your risk of cancer of the ovaries, womb and colon
• it can reduce symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
• it can sometimes reduce acne
• it may protect against pelvic inflammatory disease
• it may reduce the risk of fibroids, ovarian cysts and non-cancerous breast disease

Some disadvantages of the pill include:

• it can cause temporary side effects at first, such as headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings – if these do not go after a few months, it may help to change to a different pill
• it can increase your blood pressure
• it does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections
• breakthrough bleeding and spotting is common in the first few months of using the pill
• it has been linked to an increased risk of some serious health conditions, such as blood clots and breast cancer

The combined pill with other medicines

Some medicines interact with the combined pill and it does not work properly. Some interactions are listed on this page, but it is not a complete list. If you want to check your medicines are safe to take with the combined pill, you can:

• ask a GP, practice nurse or pharmacist
• read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine

Antibiotics

The antibiotics rifampicin and rifabutin (which can be used to treat illnesses including tuberculosis and meningitis) can reduce the effectiveness of the combined pill. Other antibiotics do not have this effect.

If you are prescribed rifampicin or rifabutin, you may be advised to change to an alternative contraceptive. If not, you will need to use additional contraception (such as condoms) while taking the antibiotic and for a short time after. Speak to a doctor or nurse for advice.

Epilepsy and HIV medicines, and St John’s wort

The combined pill can interact with medicines called enzyme inducers. These speed up the breakdown of hormones by your liver, reducing the effectiveness of the pill.

Examples of enzyme inducers are:

• the epilepsy drugs carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone and topiramate
• St John’s wort (a herbal remedy)
• antiretroviral medicines used to treat HIV (research suggests that interactions between these medicines and the progestogen-only pill can affect the safety and effectiveness of both)

A GP or nurse may advise you to use an alternative or additional form of contraception while taking any of these medicines.

Risks of taking the combined pill

There are some risks associated with using the combined contraceptive pill. However, these risks are small.

Blood clots

The oestrogen in the pill may cause your blood to clot more readily. If a blood clot develops, it could cause:

• deep vein thrombosis (clot in your leg)
• pulmonary embolus (clot in your lung)
• stroke
• heart attack

The risk of getting a blood clot is very small, but your doctor will check if you have certain risk factors before prescribing the pill.

Cancer

The pill can slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer and cervical cancer. It can also decrease the risk of developing womb (uterus) cancer, ovarian cancer and bowel cancer.

However, 10 years after you stop taking the pill, your risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer goes back to normal.

Where you can get the combined pill

Contraception is free to everyone through the NHS. Places where you can get contraception include:

• community contraception clinics
• some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
• sexual health clinics – they also offer contraceptive and STI testing services
• GP surgeries – talk to a GP or nurse
• some young people’s services (call the Sexual Health Line on 0300 123 7123 for more information)

Find a sexual health clinic

Getting contraception during coronavirus

If you need contraception, call your GP surgery or a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Only go in person if you’re told to.

It can take longer to get contraception at the moment and some types are not widely available.

You may only be able to get the combined pill if you’ve had your blood pressure and weight checked in the last 12 months.

If you cannot get the combined pill, you may be advised to use the progestogen-only pill or condoms for now.

How do I change to a different pill?

If you want advice about changing your contraceptive pill, you can visit a GP, contraceptive nurse (sometimes called a family planning nurse), or sexual health clinic.

You should not have a break between different packs, so you will usually be advised to start the new pill immediately or wait until the day after you take the last of your old pills.

You may also be advised to use alternative methods of contraception during the changeover, as the new pill may take a short time to take effect.

If you’re under 16 years old

Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16.

If you’re under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist will not tell your parents (or carer) as long as they believe you fully understand the information you’re given and your decisions.

Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under 16. They’ll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they will not make you.

The only time that a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you’re at risk of harm, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.

More information

For more information about the pill visit:

You can also watch a video about the contraceptive pill on the Health and Care Video Library.

Community content from HealthUnlocked

Help us improve our website

Can you answer some questions about your visit today?

Take our survey

Page last reviewed: 1 July 2020

Next review due: 1 July 2023

How Long Does It Take for Birth Control to Work?

Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team. Updated on December 18, 2020

You finally got your first batch of birth control pills from Pandia Health in the mail. Woohoo! Now, you might be asking: “How soon can I have unprotected sex?” Well, don’t get too excited just yet – depending on which form of birth control you are on and where you are in your menstrual cycle, it may take a few days before you reach the level of protection necessary to protect you from unplanned pregnancy.

Every form of birth control is different so let’s take a look at how each type works. If you are not already signed up to receive your birth control pills with FREE delivery from Pandia Health, join today!

Cycle Timing Matters

How quickly your birth control method starts working depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle when it is introduced to your body.

If you are starting the pill, we recommend starting on the last day of your period, around day 3-5 of bleeding, depending how many days you bleed.

Other providers may tell you to start it the Sunday after you start your next period; this “Sunday Start” will cause you to bleed during the week (aka not ruin your weekend with a period!).

Why is this the recommended timing?

While you are on your period, you are likely not within your fertility window. The egg is discarded during menstruation along with the lining of the uterus (endometrium), which is there to support an embryo during pregnancy. With that said, there are always exceptions and you can get pregnant at any time during your cycle if your body randomly releases an egg or you experience a random bleed, or spotting. 

How fast do different types of birth control start working?

The birth control patch, ring, shot, hormonal IUD, or the implant should start working immediately if you start them within five days after the first day of your period. However, for individuals with a BMI of 30 or greater, it may take about a week for the new birth control to be recognized by the body. 

In terms of the pill, timing may differ depending on the specific type: combination pills versus progestin-only pills.

Combination Pills

If you take this pill within five days from the start of your period, it should start working right away! If you start it at any other point in your cycle, it will take seven full days to become effective. 

Progestin-Only Pills

This pill begins to work within 48 hours of starting it, no matter where you are in your cycle.  

Does “immediate” birth control actually work?

Some forms of birth control have guaranteed immediate action. For instance, tubal ligation, (getting your tubes tied), works immediately. The copper IUD also works right away and it can even be used as a form of emergency contraception – it’s actually the MOST effective emergency contraception out there.

How soon after I start birth control can I have sex?

You can have sex any time you and your parenter are in the mood! However, while birth control can be used to prevent unplanned pregnancy, additional forms of contraception (i.e. condoms) are recommended at all times to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Your chances of pregnancy decrease when you combine these methods with condoms – YAY!

Dr. Sophia Yen, CEO and Co-Founder of Pandia Health, recommends using a backup method of contraception for at least one week after starting birth control to be absolutely safe; waiting one month may be a good idea for peace of mind.  

Play it Safe: Use a Condom!

Dr. Yen recommends that anyone with a uterus having penis-in-vagina relations use a condom. The main benefits include:

1. Preventing STIs. Unless both partners have never experienced sexual activity (non-penetrative sex counts), then there is a risk of infection.
2. No leaking of semen for the next 24 hours, which prevents the disruption of the natural flora and fauna of your vagina.

No glove, no love!

If you are worried about sensation, test out different types of condoms rather than skipping one altogether. Check out the “female/male” reviews of condoms.

What’s the takeaway?

Birth control is a wonderful tool that can be used not only to prevent pregnancy, but also to minimize period symptoms. With that said, it is important to follow the instructions provided by your doctor or on the back of your pill back in order to maximize the effectiveness.  

How can Pandia Health help?

Luckily, Pandia Health can help you decrease your risk of pregnancy conveniently with automatic refills. Sign up today so you can #SkipTheTrip to the pharmacy and get your birth control delivered right to your mailbox. If you have an existing prescription, get it transferred to our pharmacy and get automatic monthly refills for that #PandiaPeaceOfMind. If you live in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MI, NV, TX, TN, PA, WA, or WY and would like to start birth control for the first time, schedule an online consultation with one of our expert doctors. Join our community to support the mission that all women deserve affordable and accessible birth control! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do birth control pills work right away?

This depends on the type of birth control and how far along in your cycle that you start the prescription. While the IUD becomes effective immediately, other forms of birth control (i. e. the pill, patch, shot, and ring) take up to a week to start working. It is always a best practice to use an additional form of contraception if you plan to have sex. 

When can I have unprotected sex on birth control?

Theoretically, you should be protected from pregnancy about one week after starting birth control. With that said, using condoms is always a best practice in order to prevent the spread of STIs and other types of infections.

How to know if birth control is working?

Essentially, if you notice that your periods become more regular and/or you experience fewer symptoms before and during your period, you can be fairly confident that your birth control is working. 

Do I have to start birth control on a Sunday?

You can start birth control any day of the week. Some doctors recommend starting it on a Sunday so that any spotting you may experience will not disrupt your weekend. 

What happens if you start birth control before your period?

While it is okay to start birth control before your period, it will take longer for you to be protected from pregnancy. For this reason, many doctors recommend taking it towards the end of your period or immediately after it ends. 

Will I get my period while taking birth control?

Some pill packs contain placebo pills, which do not contain any hormones. When these pills are taken, you will bleed. This is not a period, but rather withdrawal bleeding that occurs due to lack of hormone. It is also possible to skip your periods altogether by only taking pills that contain the hormone. 

Can birth control mess up your period?

You may experience spotting during the first few months on the pill, as it takes some time for your body to adjust to the new hormones. However, over time, you should notice lighter, more consistent periods. 

Can you get pregnant while taking birth control?

It is possible to get pregnant, even if you take birth control. A common cause is taking the pill inconsistently (i.e. missing the pill frequently). Furthermore, if you take the pill less than you are supposed to – this depends on your specific pack – you are at a greater risk of becoming pregnant.  ‘

DISCLAIMER: This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. Please consult YOUR doctor/provider before changing, stopping, or starting any medications.

Contraception, The Pill, Effectiveness, Types

Birth control pills

What is birth control?

Also known as contraception, birth control prevents pregnancy. You have many different birth control options, including the birth control pill.

What is the birth control pill?

The birth control pill is a type of contraception that contains hormones that prevent pregnancy. People call it “the pill” because it comes in pill form. Women take the pill orally (by mouth) once a day. The pill is most effective when you take it consistently at the same time each day.

How effective is the pill?

The pill has the potential to be 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if you take it without fail — meaning you don’t forget to take the pill for even a day or two. However, taking the pill perfectly can be difficult, which is why nine out of 100 women who use the pill will have an unintended pregnancy every year. The pill is most reliable when you take it consistently at the same time each day. Being consistent helps keep hormone levels from fluctuating.

How does the birth control pill work?

Hormones in birth control pills prevent pregnancy by:

• Stopping or reducing ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary).
• Thickening cervical mucus to keep sperm from entering the uterus.
• Thinning the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg is less likely to attach.

What are the types of birth control pills?

There are two different types of birth control pills. Both types contain hormones that prevent pregnancy.

• Combination pills contain estrogen and progestin.
• Progestin-only pills are also called “the minipill.” They’re better for some women, such as those who are breastfeeding or have a history of blood clots and strokes and shouldn’t take estrogen.

The pill comes in different dosing packets — from 21-day pill packs to 90-day pill packs, to even 365 days of active pills. Traditionally, depending on the brand and dose, you take at least three weeks of active pills followed by two to seven days of hormone-free (inactive) pills. This is called cyclical dosing. Most women have a menstrual period during the inactive pills. Some brands do not provide any inactive pills at all in the pack (they only supply three weeks of active pills). With the 21-day packs a woman does not take any pills for a week. During this time, you’ll have your period, similar to what happens when taking the inactive, hormone-free pills.

Some formulations offer continuous dosing, which means you do not have any inactive pills, and a woman takes an active pill daily. Alternatively, extended cycle dosing is when inactive pills or breaks in the active pill regimen only occur three to four times per year. Skipping the inactive pills prevents menstruation. Your healthcare provider can discuss the best option for you.

Does the pill prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

No, the pill won’t protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs). STDs, such as genital herpes, chlamydia and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are transmitted through direct sexual contact and the exchange of bodily fluids like semen. If you’re sexually active, the best way to prevent an STD is by using condoms in addition to the pill. Condoms, when used alone, are about 85% effective at preventing pregnancy. However if the pill and condoms are used together, both infection and pregnancy prevention is optimized. If you aren’t in a monogamous relationship with one partner, your healthcare provider will suggest using condoms along with the pill to prevent pregnancy and STDs.

What are benefits of taking the pill?

Some women take the pill for health purposes. The pill can:

Are there any side effects to taking the pill?

Some women experience medication side effects when they start taking the pill. These side effects often improve after a couple of months. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience side effects. You may be able to switch to a different brand that doesn’t cause problems. However, simply waiting out the symptoms for a few cycles often help resolve many of the symptoms, especially when first starting a new pill regimen. Potential side effects include:

Are there any health risks to taking the pill?

Birth control pills are safe for most women. The pill has been available for 60 years, so there is a lot of comfort and experience with its use. A small percentage of women who take the combination (estrogen-containing) birth control pill have an increased risk for developing these rare complications:

Your doctor will talk to you about your level of risk based on your medical history. Luckily, if an individual is not able to use an estrogen-containing pill, most can still safely take progestin only pills.

How soon does the pill work?

It can take up to seven days for the pill to become effective in preventing pregnancy. During this time, you should use another form of birth control. If the pill is used to control symptoms such as acne or abnormal bleeding, it can take three to four months to see true benefits.

What should I do if I miss a pill?

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember. Then take your usual daily dose as planned. You should also use a backup form of birth control until you have your period. Call your healthcare provider if you miss several days of the pill. Your provider can discuss pregnancy test and emergency contraception options. It is helpful to keep the package inserts of the available, most will give specific instructions on what to do if there is a missed pill.

Should I avoid certain medications while taking the pill?

You should always check with your healthcare provider before taking any new medications or herbal supplements. Certain drugs can make the pill less effective and increase your chances of getting pregnant. These products include:

• Antiseizure medications.
• Herbal supplements, such as St. John’s wort.
• Medications used to treat HIV.

Can I take the pill while breastfeeding?

The combination birth control pill contains estrogen, which can decrease milk production. If you are breastfeeding, your healthcare provider may recommend taking the progestin-only pill instead. However, some women may use estrogen-containing pills once milk supply is fully established, and a woman’s risk of blood clots is minimized.

What are alternatives to the pill?

If you’re not confident you can remember to take a daily pill, talk to your healthcare provider about these other birth control options:

• Etonogestrel implant (Nexplanon®).
• Intrauterine device (IUD), several hormonal and nonhormonal options are available.
• Removable contraceptive vaginal ring (both monthly and yearly options are available).
• Skin patches (Xulane®).
• Depo-Provera® progestin injection (also called Depo).

A note from Cleveland Clinic

The birth control pill is a highly effective way to prevent pregnancy when you take it consistently every day. The pill can also lower your risk of certain problems, such as uterine and ovarian cancers, migraines, and acne. Some women experience medication side effects like nausea, though this is usually temporary. You may need to try several different brands of the pill before finding the one that works best for you. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about the pill.

Side Effects, Effectiveness, How the Pill Works, and Types

SOURCES:

The National Women’s Health Information Center.

ContraceptionNet.

Seasonale.

FDA.

CDC: “Teens Visiting a Health Clinic.”

Cleveland Clinic: “Birth Control: The Pill.’

Columbia University Go Ask Alice: “Does taking the pill increase the size of your breasts?”

Cornell Health: “Missed a Birth Control Pill? Here’s what to do. ”

Informed Health Online: “Contraception: Do hormonal contraceptives cause weight gain?”

Mayo Clinic: “Morning-after pill,” “Birth control pills for acne?” “Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices.”

Nemours Foundation: “For Teens: Birth Control Pill,” “Birth Control Pill.”

Princeton University The Emergency Contraception Website: “Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About …”

StatPearls: “Oral Contraceptive Pills.”

University of Michigan Health Service: “The Pill.”

UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services: “Alcohol.”

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: “Birth Control Pill,” “Acne,” “Menopause Symptom Relief and Treatments,” “Emergency contraception.”

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs: “Birth Control Fact Sheet.”

Sexetc.org: “Sex In The States.”

Virtua Penn Medicine: “4 Essential Questions About Teen Birth Control.”

Planned Parenthood: “Birth Control Pills. ”

National Health Service (U.K.): “When will my periods come back after I stop taking the pill?” “Will a Pregnancy Test Work if I’m on the Pill?”

National Women’s Health Resource Center: “Types of Pills.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Combined Hormonal Birth Control: Pill, Patch, and Ring.”

Association of Reproductive Health Professionals: “Combined Hormonal Contraception: General Information,” “Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills,” “Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptives.”

FDA: “FDA Drug Safety Communication: Updated information about the risk of blood clots in women taking birth control pills containing drospirenone,” “Birth Control Chart.”

Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education: “Female Contraception.”

The World Health Organization Reproductive Health Library: “Monophasic versus Multiphasic Oral Contraceptives.”

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: “Birth Control Pills – Progestin-Only Contraceptives. ”

Healthy Women: “Type of Pills.”

National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: “Which birth control pill is right for me?” “Risky business 2: Migraines, high blood pressure, and blood clots,” “Pill Perfection: Choosing the Right Pill for You.”

Office on Women’s Health:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: “Birth control methods.”

NYC Health: “Emergency Contraception.”

Can You Still Get Pregnant While Taking Them?

It’s happened to a lot of people — maybe even you. You got busy and forgot to take your birth control pill. The moment you realize it can be scary, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get pregnant.

Birth control pills aren’t 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, but they come close when taken exactly as directed.

Because no method of birth control is guaranteed to prevent pregnancy, and because it’s so easy to make mistakes, it’s important to understand what birth control pills do and how you can make them more likely to work.

How Effective Is the Pill?

Birth control pills are considered effective, but not foolproof. They’re about 99% effective when you take them correctly.

But that’s if you take them perfectly, meaning at the same time each and every day. If you don’t, your odds of becoming pregnant go up to 9%.

Types of Pills

There are different types of birth control pills, including combined pills and mini-pills. No matter which kind you use, it’s crucial to take them exactly as prescribed, even on the days you don’t have sex.

Combined pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin. A pack of combined pills usually has 21 to 24 days of hormones and 4 to 7 days of reminder pills. You should get your period while taking the reminder pills.

You might take one pack of combined pills every month, or you can take the hormone pills continuously to delay or stop your periods. It’s generally considered safe to skip or eliminate your periods, but you should discuss this option with your doctor and then follow their instructions on when to take the pill.

Mini-pill packs contain only one hormone, progestin. If you’re taking mini-pills, it’s very important to take all 28 pills at the exact same time every day. If you’re late taking a pill by just 3 hours, you have to use a backup method of birth control, such as a condom.

Starting the Pill

The pill doesn’t start working right away. You need to take it for at least a few days before it becomes effective. That’s why it’s important to use a backup contraceptive, like condoms, when you first start taking it. Talk to your doctor about how long you need to use a backup method. Some recommend you use one during your entire first pack.

Talk to your doctor if you just had a baby or are breastfeeding and want to take the birth control pill. You may have to wait for a certain period of time before it’s safe to start on the pill.

Remember, the pill doesn’t protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, so you need to continue to use condoms every time you have sex, especially with new partners, to stay safe.

Missed Pills

You should take all your pills as directed, no matter what. Skipping a pill for any reason can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. If you’re tempted to skip a pill because they are causing side effects, talk to your doctor, but continue taking them. Many women who have side effects when they first start taking the pill feel better after 3 months.

If you accidentally miss one pill, there’s probably no need to worry. Just take it as soon as you remember and continue taking your next pill at the regular time. If it’s a mini-pill and it’s been more than 3 hours, use a backup method of contraception.

If you’re taking combined pills and miss two or more hormone pills, you should call your doctor. What you should do next will depend on what kind of pill you’re on, so they can advise you. No matter what, you should use a backup method of birth control, like a condom, since your chances of getting pregnant are much higher after you miss two or more pills.

Alcohol and the Pill

Whether or not it’s a great idea, alcohol and sex often end up together. Drinking alcohol won’t change how well your birth control pills work. But, because effective use of the pill relies on memory, you’ll need to think ahead when drinking is in your future.

Alcohol addles your mind and alters your behavior. It can make you more careless — and derail your intentions to use birth control pills responsibly. A study of binge drinking in young women found risky drinking nearly doubled the odds of contraception not working well.

Drinking too much can also make you throw up. If you throw up after taking the pill less than 2 hours prior, it can come back up, and then it’s as if you never took it at all.

Oral contraceptives can also affect how your body processes alcohol. Like some other drugs, birth control pills slow down the rate at which your body absorbs it, making it linger longer. And the longer you’re under the influence, the more time there is to forget to take your pill, too.

If you plan to imbibe, the way to stay on track with your birth control is to plan ahead.

• Use reminder apps. You can find a wide variety of these with a web search. Many can track your period and even your pill inventory.
• Take your pill early in the day instead of the evening, when impromptu events might come up.
• Carry backup protection such as a condom and spermicide. Ask your partner to support your efforts and do the same. You should always use condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) unless you’re in a long-term, faithful relationship.

Other Reasons the Pill Can Fail

You don’t store it right. Birth control pills should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat, so don’t keep them in your bathroom. Make sure to keep them in their original packaging to protect them.

Other medications. Some medicines can make your birth control pill less effective. Most antibiotics are safe to take while you’re on birth control pills, but one — rifampin (Rifadin IV) — can stop the pill from working. Tell your doctor you’re on birth control if he prescribes you rifampin.

Other medicines like mood stabilizers, epilepsy medicines, and HIV drugs can also make the pill less effective. Make sure to discuss these with your doctor.

Certain herbs. The supplement St. John’s wort is popular for issues like depression or insomnia, but it can reduce the amount of hormones in the pill. Talk to your doctor if you’re taking this herb and consider using a backup method of birth control while you’re on it.

Birth Control Pill (for Teens)

What Is It?

The birth control pill (also called “the Pill”) is a daily pill that contains hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the body’s organs. In this case, the hormones in the Pill control the ovaries and the uterus.

How Does It Work?

Most birth control pills are “combination pills” containing a mix of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly cycle). A woman cannot get pregnant if she doesn’t ovulate because there is no egg to be fertilized.

The Pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones in the Pill can also sometimes affect the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the wall of the uterus.

How Is the Pill Taken?

Most combination pills come in either a 21-day pack or a 28-day pack. One hormone pill is taken each day at about the same time for 21 days. Depending on your pack, you will either stop taking birth control pills for 7 days (as in the 21-day pack) or you will take a pill that contains no hormones for 7 days (the 28-day pack). A woman has her period when she stops taking the pills that contain hormones. Some women prefer the 28-day pack because it helps them stay in the habit of taking a pill every day.

There is also a type of combination pill that decreases the frequency of a woman’s period by supplying a hormone pill for 12 weeks and then inactive pills for 7 days. This decreases the number of periods to one every 3 months instead of one every month.

Another kind of pill that may change the number of monthly periods is the low-dose progesterone pill, sometimes called the mini-pill. This type of birth control pill differs from the other pills in that it only contains one type of hormone — progesterone — rather than a combination of estrogen and progesterone. It works by changing the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus, and sometimes by affecting ovulation as well. The mini-pill may be slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy than combination pills.

The mini-pill is taken every day without a break. A girl who is taking it might have no period at all or she may have irregular periods. For the minipill to work, it must be taken at the same time every day, without missing any doses.

Any type of birth control pill works best when it is taken every single day at the same time of day, regardless of whether a girl is going to have sex. This is especially important with progesterone-only pills.

For the first 7 days of taking the Pill, a girl should use an additional form of contraception, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy. After 7 days, the Pill should work alone to prevent pregnancy. This timing can vary based on the type of Pill and when you start taking it — so be sure to talk about it with your doctor. Also, it’s important to continue using condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

If pills are skipped or forgotten, a girl is not protected against pregnancy and she will need a backup form of birth control, such as condoms. Or she will need to stop having sex for a while. Do not take a friend’s or relative’s pills.

Page 1

How Well Does It Work?

Over the course of 1 year, about 9 out of 100 typical couples who rely on the Pill to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental pregnancy. Of course, this is an average figure and the chance of getting pregnant depends on whether you take your birth control pills every day. The Pill is an effective form of birth control, but even missing 1 day increases the chance of getting pregnant.

In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medicines or herbal supplements that might interfere with its use (for example, an herb like St. John’s wort can affect how well the Pill works). Talk to your doctor to check if anything you take could affect how the Pill works for you.

How well a particular method of birth control works also depends on whether the method chosen is convenient — and whether the person remembers to use it correctly all the time.

Protection Against STDs

The birth control pill does not protect against STDs. Couples having sex (or any intimate sexual contact) must always use condoms along with the Pill to protect against STDs.

Abstinence (the decision to not have sex or any intimate sexual contact) is the only method that always prevents pregnancy and STDs.

Possible Side Effects

The birth control pill is a safe and effective method of birth control. Most young women who take the Pill have none to very few side effects. The side effects that some women have while on the Pill include:

• irregular menstrual bleeding (more common with the mini-pill)
• nausea, headaches, dizziness, and breast tenderness
• mood changes
• blood clots (rare in women under 35 who do not smoke)

Some of these side effects improve over the first 3 months on the Pill. When a girl has side effects, a doctor will sometimes prescribe a different brand of the Pill.

The Pill also has some side effects that most girls are happy about. It usually makes periods lighter, reduces cramps, and is often prescribed for women who have menstrual problems. Taking the combination Pill often improves acne, and some doctors prescribe it for this purpose. Combination birth control pills have also been found to protect against some forms of breast disease, anemia, ovarian cysts, and ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Page 2

Who Uses It?

Young women who can remember to take a pill each day and who want excellent protection from pregnancy use birth control pills.

Not all women can — or should — use the Pill. In some cases, medical or other conditions make the use of the Pill less effective or more risky. For example, it is not recommended for women who have had blood clots, certain types of cancers, or some migraine headaches. It also might not be recommended for girls who have had unexplained vaginal bleeding (bleeding that is not during their periods) or who think they might be pregnant.

Girls who are interested in learning more about different types of birth control, including the Pill, should talk to their doctors or other health professionals.

How Do You Get It?

A doctor or a nurse practitioner (NP) must prescribe the Pill. He or she will ask about a girl’s health and family medical history, and do a complete physical exam, which might include a pelvic exam. If the doctor or NP prescribes birth control pills, he or she will explain when to begin taking the Pill and what to do if pills are missed.

The doctor or NP will usually ask the girl to come back in a few months to have her blood pressure checked and to see if she is having any problems.

After that, girls who are having sex should get routine exams every 6 months to a year, or as recommended.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Pill usually costs between $0 and $50 a month, depending on the type. Many health and family planning clinics (such as Planned Parenthood) sell birth control pills for less. In addition, birth control pills and doctor visits are covered by many health insurance plans.

Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices

Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices

Get the facts on common concerns and questions about birth control pills.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

If you take birth control pills (oral contraceptives), you’re probably happy with the convenience and reliability. Still, you may have questions about how birth control pills could affect your health, the benefits and risks of birth control pills, and newer options available.

Can I use birth control pills to delay or stop my period?

Yes, you can. Birth control pills were once only packaged as 21 days of active hormone pills and seven days of inactive pills. While you take the inactive pills, menstrual-like bleeding occurs.

Today you have many more options — from regimens with 24 days of active pills and four days of inactive pills to regimens that are all active pills.

Some extended-cycle pill regimens have active hormone pills every day for three months, followed by a week of inactive or low-dose estrogen pills. You experience menstrual-like bleeding during that week. Other extended-cycle regimens involve taking active pills continuously for one year, which can stop all menstrual-like bleeding.

Continuous or extended-cycle regimens have several potential benefits. They prevent the hormone changes that are responsible for bleeding, cramping, headaches and other period-related discomforts. They allow you to skip a period during important events or trips. If you experience iron deficiency due to heavy menstrual bleeding, using continuous regimens can reduce bleeding.

Unscheduled bleeding and spotting often occur during the first few months on continuous or extended-cycle regimens, but usually stop with time.

To prevent having a period, can I use ordinary birth control pills or do I need special pills?

There are birth control pill regimens designed to prevent bleeding for three months at a time or for as long as a year. But it’s possible to prevent your period with continuous use of monophasic birth control pills — pills with the same hormone dose in the three weeks of active pills. To prevent your period with these pills, don’t take the inactive pills and start right away on a new pack.

If I plan to have a baby, how soon after stopping birth control pills can I conceive?

Usually ovulation begins again a few weeks after stopping birth control pills.

As soon as you ovulate again, you can get pregnant. If this happens during your first cycle off the pill, you may not have a period at all. Take a pregnancy test if you’ve had unprotected sex and your period hasn’t returned.

Is there an advantage to waiting a few months after stopping the pill before trying to conceive?

Conceiving immediately after stopping the pill does not increase your risk of miscarriage or harm to the fetus. The hormones in birth control pills don’t remain in your system.

Usually periods start again a few weeks after stopping the pill. However, if your periods were infrequent before you started taking the pill, they will likely be that way again after you stop taking the pill. It may take a couple of months before you return to regular ovulation cycles.

After stopping the pill, if you’re not ready to conceive, consider using a backup form of birth control.

What happens if I stop taking the birth control pill and my period doesn’t come back?

If you don’t have a period for several months, you may have what’s known as post-pill amenorrhea. The pill prevents your body from making hormones involved in ovulation and menstruation. When you stop taking the pill, it can take some time for your body to start producing these hormones again.

Menstrual periods typically resume within three months after you stop taking the pill. But if you took the pill to regulate your menstrual cycles, it may take several months before your period comes back.

If you don’t have a period within three months, take a pregnancy test to make sure you’re not pregnant and then see your doctor.

Will a pregnancy test be accurate if I’m taking the birth control pill?

You can get accurate results from a pregnancy test while you’re on the pill. Pregnancy tests work by measuring a specific pregnancy-related hormone — human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) — in your blood or urine. The active ingredients in birth control pills don’t affect how a pregnancy test measures the level of HCG in your system.

What happens if I take birth control pills while pregnant?

Don’t worry if you kept taking your birth control pill because you didn’t know you were pregnant.

Despite years of this accident happening, there’s very little evidence that exposure to the hormones in birth control pills causes birth defects. Once you learn that you’re pregnant, stop taking the birth control pill.

Can I use several birth control pills at once for emergency contraception?

It’s possible to use standard estrogen-progestin birth control pills for emergency contraception, but check with your doctor for the proper dose and timing of the pills.

Certain types of pills are specifically designed to keep you from becoming pregnant if you’ve had unprotected sex. These medications are sometimes referred to as the morning-after pill.

Morning-after pills contain either levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step, EContra One-Step, others) or ulipristal acetate (ella, Logilia).

Levonorgestrel pills are available over-the-counter to anyone of any age. Levonorgestrel pills work best when used as soon as possible — and within three days — after unprotected sex.

Ulipristal acetate is a nonhormonal medication available only by prescription. This medication is taken as a single dose within five days after unprotected sex.

A copper intrauterine device (IUD) or an IUD containing 52 milligrams of levonorgestrel may also be used for emergency contraception. Ideally, these IUDs should be placed by your doctor within five days of unprotected intercourse.

Does how much I weigh reduce the effectiveness of emergency birth control pills?

If you are considered obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, emergency contraception may not be as effective — especially if you use levonorgestrel. You could still become pregnant after using levonorgestrel for emergency contraception. BMI is not as much of a concern when using ulipristal. Use of an IUD for emergency birth control is not affected by body weight.

I have taken birth control pills for years and want to stop. Can I stop at any time or should I finish my current pill packet?

In terms of your overall health, it makes little difference when you stop taking the pill. When you finally do stop the pill, you can expect some bleeding, which may change the rhythm of your menstrual cycle. But you can stop at any time.

Can I get pregnant during the week of inactive pills?

Taking the inactive pills doesn’t put you at higher risk of unintended pregnancy. If you’re taking birth control pills exactly as directed, they’re about 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

But if you miss a pill — or several pills — during a cycle, you might be at higher risk of unintended pregnancy during that cycle. To be safe, use a backup form of contraception, such as a condom, especially if you miss several pills during a cycle.

Do birth control pills cause weight gain?

This is a common thought. But studies have shown that the effect of the birth control pill on weight is small — if it exists at all.

Instead, you may be retaining more fluid, which can make you feel as if you’ve put on weight, particularly in your breasts, hips and thighs. The estrogen in birth control pills does affect fat (adipose) cells, making them larger but not more numerous.

How do birth control pills affect cancer risk?

Most data show that birth control pills don’t increase your overall risk of cancer.

Scientific evidence suggests using birth control pills for longer periods of time increases your risk of some cancers, such as cervical cancer, but the risk declines after stopping use of birth control pills.

Regarding breast cancer risk, the results are mixed. Some studies show a link between birth control pill use and a slight increase in breast cancer risk, but the risk is very low. Other studies have shown no significant increase in breast cancer risk. Risk appears to decrease over time after discontinuing birth control pills. If you have a family history of breast cancer, birth control use does not appear to increase the risk.

The birth control pill may decrease your risk of other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and colon cancer — and this benefit may persist for years after you stop the pill.

Do birth control pills affect cholesterol levels?

Birth control pills can affect your cholesterol levels. How much of an effect depends on the type of pill you’re taking and what concentration of estrogen or progestin it contains. Birth control pills with more estrogen can have a slightly beneficial overall effect on your cholesterol levels. In general, though, the changes aren’t significant and don’t affect your overall health.

Do birth control pills affect blood pressure?

Birth control pills may slightly increase your blood pressure. If you take birth control pills, have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you already have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor about whether you should consider another form of birth control.

What is the risk of blood clots when taking birth control pills?

The estrogen contained in combination hormone birth control pills and in the ring or patch is not recommended if you have a history of blood clots — venous thromboembolism (VTE) — or if you are at high risk of blood clots. A progestin-only form of contraception — such as the minipill or an implant — an IUD or a barrier method is a better choice. Progestin or progesterone also can increase the risk of blood clots, but the risk is less than with estrogen.

Can I continue taking birth control pills if I’m older than age 35?

If you’re healthy and you don’t smoke, you can continue taking birth control pills after age 35.

However, birth control pills aren’t recommended if you’re 35 or older and you smoke because of the risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. In that case, you need to quit smoking before you can safely continue using birth control pills.

Can antibiotics decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills?

Antibiotics do not interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills — except in the case of one antibiotic, rifampin (Rimactane). Rifampin does decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills in preventing ovulation, but this antibiotic isn’t widely used today.

Get the latest health advice from Mayo Clinic delivered
to your inbox.

Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research
advancements, health tips and current health topics,
like COVID-19, plus expert advice on managing your health.

Learn more about our use of data

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which
information
is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other
information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic Patient,
this could include Protected Health Information (PHI). If we combine this information
with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI,
and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy
practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications
at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Subscribe!

Thank you for Subscribing

Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date
on the latest health information.

We’re sorry! Our system isn’t working.

Please try again.

Something went wrong on our side, please try again.

Please try again

June 12, 2021

Show references

1. Combined hormonal birth control: Pill, patch, and ring. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/combined-hormonal-birth-control-pill-patch-ring. Accessed March 31, 2021.
2. Birth control. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/birth-control. Accessed April 1, 2021.
3. FAQs for teens: Birth control. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/birth-control. Accessed March 31, 2021.
4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. 110: Noncontraceptive uses of hormonal contraceptives. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010; doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181cb50b5. Reaffirmed 2020.
5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. 206: Use of hormonal contraception in women with coexisting medical conditions. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2019; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003072.
6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. 152: Emergency contraception. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2015; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000001047. Reaffirmed 2019.
7. Oral contraceptives and cancer risk. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/oral-contraceptives-fact-sheet. Accessed April 1, 2021.
8. Birth control methods. Office on Women’s Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods. Accessed April 1, 2021.
9. Gallo MF, et al. Combination contraceptives: Effects on weight. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015; doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003987.pub5.
10. Del Pup L, et al. Breast cancer risk of hormonal contraception: Counseling considering new evidence. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology. 2019; doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.03.001.
11. Hatcher RA, et al., eds. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs). In: Contraceptive Technology. 21st ed. Ayer Company Publishers; 2018.
12. Roe A, et al. Combined estrogen-progestin contraception: Side effects and health concerns. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 2, 2021.
13. Allen RH. Combined estrogen-progestin contraceptives: Patient selection, counseling, and use. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 2, 2021.
14. Pregnancy tests. Office on Women’s Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/pregnancy-tests. Accessed April 2, 2021.
15. Marnach ML (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 19, 2021.
16. Curtis KM, et al. U.S. medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, 2016. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2016; doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr6503a1.
17. Marnach ML, et al. Contraceptive challenges in women with common medical conditions. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.08.045.
18. Turok D. Emergency contraception. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 19, 2021.
19. Summary chart of U.S. medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/pdf/summary-chart-us-medical-eligibility-criteria_508tagged.pdf. Accessed April 16, 2021.

See more In-depth

.

90,000 Contraceptives: A Faithful Helper or a Cunning Traitor?

July 7, 2017

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

Oral contraceptives are the most popular contraceptive among women

According to the British Pregnancy Advice Service (BPAS), one in four women who had to use to abortion, used one of the most reliable methods of contraception.

More than 14 thousand women who were monitored by BPAS clinics became pregnant despite taking birth control pills or long-term contraception.

They trusted this method of contraception so much that they often found out about their pregnancy too late. At the same time, not a single contraceptive can give one hundred percent guarantee.

However, long-acting reversible contraception is believed to be very reliable, with up to 99% efficacy.

Photo author, Getty Images

Caption,

Condoms are less reliable than pills, implants and coils

At the moment, oral contraceptives are the most popular means of preventing unwanted pregnancies among women.Long-acting contraception (LARC) is also gaining popularity.

These include contraceptive injections, implants, and hormonal and non-hormonal intrauterine devices.

According to experts, the effectiveness of contraceptive pills is equal to 91%, while condoms are only 82% effective.

BPAS states that unwanted pregnancies can occur if long-term contraceptives are improperly positioned, mobile, or dropped out altogether.

It is also noted that hormonal contraception (pills or patches) can cause excessive and irregular menstruation and thus hide the signs of pregnancy.

This may be the reason that it is women who use such methods who have abortions much more often than others.

According to BPAS, in 2015, among women using long-term reversible contraception, there were more women who had an abortion at 20 weeks or more (more than 5%).For comparison, the number of those who had an abortion less than 19 weeks old hovers around 3%.

In England, Wales and Scotland, it is prohibited to have an abortion for more than 24 weeks. In Northern Ireland, however, abortion is only permitted if the pregnancy poses a threat to the woman’s life and health, both physically and mentally.

What contraceptive methods do women use?

• 45% – oral contraceptives
• 15% – implants
• 14% – condoms
• 14% – intrauterine devices
• 9% – contraceptive injections

Photo caption,

According to some experts, only hope is contraception is dangerous

BPAS Executive Director Anne Furedi said: “Our data shows that women cannot protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies with only contraception, even if they use the most reliable of them.”

According to her, abortion is also a method of family planning and comes to the rescue when a woman is let down by her usual method.

Of the 60,000 women who had an abortion at BPAS clinics last year, more than half used at least one contraceptive. The total number of abortions in England and Wales from year to year is about 185 thousand.

Photo by ELVIS

Caption,

Long-acting contraceptives such as injections are growing in popularity

Every year, 9 out of 100 women taking pills, 6 out of 100 women injecting and 1 in 100 women face unwanted pregnancies. using spirals.

Sexual Health Charitable FPA notes that people do not always use contraceptive methods correctly and regularly. She also notes that the availability of the most effective contraception is poor.

“After interviewing general practitioners, we found that a fifth did not offer an IUD option and that almost a quarter did not offer an implant option,” notes FPA.

General practitioners attributed this approach to lack of training and insufficient funding.

However, according to the National Institute for Health and Excellence (NICE), long-term contraception can reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy and be cost effective for the UK National Health Service.

Lamotrigine: Pediatric Medication | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

This document, provided by Lexicomp ^® , contains all the information you need to know about the drug, including the indications, route of administration, side effects and when you should contact your healthcare provider.

Trade names: USA

LaMICtal; LaMICtal ODT; LaMICtal Starter; LaMICtal XR; Subvenite; Subvenite Starter Kit-Blue; Subvenite Starter Kit-Green; Subvenite Starter Kit-Orange

Trade names: Canada

APO-LamoTRIgine; Auro-LamoTRIgine; LaMICtal; LamoTRIgine-100; LamoTRIgine-150; LamoTRIgine-25; MYLAN-LamoTRIgine; PMS-LamoTRIgine; TEVA-LamoTRIgine

Warning

All forms of issue:

• Possible severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis).This can lead to serious and permanent health problems and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if your child has symptoms such as redness, skin swelling with blistering or scaling (with or without a high fever), redness or irritation of the eyes, painful sores on the lining of the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes …
• The risk of skin reactions is higher in children aged 2 to 17 years.It may also be higher if the child is taking valproic acid or divalproex sodium at the same time as this drug, if the child starts taking this drug at too high a dose, or if the dose is increased too quickly. Skin reactions also occurred in the absence of these factors. Consult your doctor.
• Most skin reactions have occurred within 2 to 8 weeks after starting this drug, but some have happened after a longer period of treatment, such as after 6 months.Consult your doctor.

Extended release tablets:

• This medicine is not approved for use in children under 13 years of age. Consult your doctor.

What is this drug used for?

• Used to control certain types of seizures.
• This medication is used to treat bipolar disorder.
• This drug can be given to children for other indications.Consult your doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug, any of its ingredients, other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and how your child has it.
• If your child is on dofetilide.

This list of drugs and diseases that may be adversely associated with this drug is not exhaustive.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all medications your child is taking (prescription and over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and any health concerns. You need to make sure it is safe to take this drug if your child is ill and in combination with other drugs that he or she is already taking. You should not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drug your child is taking without talking to the doctor.

What do I need to know or do while my child is taking this drug?

For all purposes of this product:

• Tell all health care providers for your child that your child is taking this drug. These are your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists.
• Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require attention until you see how this drug is working for your child.This includes cycling, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawn mowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
• It may take several weeks to achieve full effect.
• Do not suddenly stop giving this drug to your child without talking to your doctor. This can increase your child’s risk of side effects. If your child needs this drug, stop taking this drug gradually, as directed by the doctor.
• If you stop giving this drug, ask your doctor. Your child may need to resume taking at a lower dose and gradually increase the dose.
• Get your child’s blood tested frequently. Check with your child’s doctor.
• This drug may interfere with some lab tests. Tell all healthcare professionals and laboratory staff providing your child’s healthcare that your child is taking this drug.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Make sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• Consult with your child’s doctor before using marijuana, other forms of cannabis, prescription or over-the-counter drugs that may slow down your child’s actions.
• Some medicines may look like this medicine or have similar names. Always check to make sure you get the drug you need.If you notice any change in the appearance of this drug, such as a change in shape, color, size or text, ask your pharmacist to check.
• Tell your doctor if your child has a heart rhythm disorder, heart failure, or other heart problem. An irregular heart rhythm can occur in people with some types of heart disease, which can lead to sudden death.
• If the patient is a child, use this medication with caution.In children, the risk of some side effects may be higher.
• Birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives may change how much this drug is in the body. Talk to your doctor before your daughter starts or stops taking any hormonal contraception. The risk of side effects may be increased by taking birth control pills on the week of your cycle when they are inactive. Consult your doctor.

If your child is or may be sexually active:

• The contraceptive effectiveness of birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives may be reduced. Make sure your child is also using another form of birth control, such as a condom, while taking this drug.

If your daughter is pregnant or breastfeeding:

• Consult a doctor if your daughter is pregnant, pregnant, or breastfeeding.The benefits and risks for your daughter and her child will need to be discussed.

Anti-seizure:

• Talk to your doctor if your seizures change or get worse after you start taking this drug.

What side effects should I report to my child’s healthcare provider right away?

WARNING / CAUTION: Although rare, this drug can cause very serious and sometimes deadly side effects in some people.Call your child’s doctor right away or get medical attention if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that could be associated with a very bad side effect:

For all purposes of this product:

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, hives, itching, reddened and swollen skin with blistering or scaling, possibly associated with fever, wheezing or wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking, unusual hoarseness, swelling in the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, or swelling of the arms or legs.
• Severe muscle pain or weakness.
• Change of vision.
• Severe joint pain or inflammation.
• Pain or pressure in the chest.
• Rapid, slow heartbeat, or irregular heartbeat.
• Severe dizziness or fainting.
• Balance change.
• Loss of control of eye movements.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Cases of decreased blood cell count have been reported during treatment with this drug. A marked decrease in the number of blood cells can lead to bleeding, infection, or anemia. See your doctor right away if your child develops symptoms of an infection, such as high fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or when you are very tired or weak.
• Like other drugs for the treatment of seizures, this drug in rare cases may increase the risk of suicidal ideation or behavior.This risk may be higher in people who have attempted suicide or have had suicidal thoughts in the past. See your doctor right away if you develop or worsen symptoms such as depression, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, panic attacks, or other mood or behavior disorders. In case of suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide, contact your doctor immediately.
• This drug may make you more likely to have a very bad brain disorder called aseptic meningitis.If your child has a headache, high fever, chills, severe nausea or vomiting, neck stiffness, rash, photophobia, drowsiness, or confusion, see a doctor right away.
• Severe and sometimes deadly side effects have been reported in patients using drugs similar to this drug for seizures. If your child has swollen lymph nodes, fever, a rash, chest pains, signs of kidney damage such as urinary retention or changes in urine output, signs of liver damage such as dark urine, feeling tired, or not feeling hungry , nausea or abdominal pain, light colored stools, vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, see a doctor immediately.

If your daughter starts her menstrual cycle:

• Painful periods.
• Menstrual irregularities, including spotting spotting or intermenstrual bleeding.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

Any drug can have side effects. However, many people have little or no side effects.Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these or other side effects bothers your child or does not go away:

• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
• Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite.
• Shiver.
• Sleep disorders.
• Nose or throat irritation.
• Weight loss.
• Dry mouth.
• Back pain.

This list of potential side effects is not exhaustive. If you have any questions about side effects, talk to your child’s doctor. Talk to your child’s doctor about side effects.

You can report side effects to the National Health Office.

What is the best way to give this drug?

Give this drug to your child as directed by the doctor.Read all the information provided to you. Follow all instructions strictly.

All forms of issue:

• Give this drug with or without food.
• Do not change the dosage of your child’s medication. This can cause seizures. Talk to a medical professional.
• Continue giving this drug as directed by your child’s doctor or other healthcare professional, even if your child is feeling well.

All preparations in tablet form:

• Have your child swallow whole. Tell your child not to chew, crush, or crush the tablet.
• If your child has difficulty swallowing, consult a doctor.

Tablets for suspension preparation:

• Can be swallowed whole, chewed, or mixed with water or fruit juice.
• If you chew this medicine, give your child a small amount of water or fruit juice to drink to make it easier to swallow.
• You can crush a tablet by adding enough liquid to cover the tablet in a glass or spoon. Wait at least 1 minute for the tablet to crumble completely, stir and give to your child to drink.

Lozenge:

• Place the tablet on the child’s tongue and let it dissolve. There is no need to drink water. Make sure that the child does not swallow the drug whole. Make sure your child does not chew, break, or crush the tablet.

What if my child misses a dose of a drug?

• Give the missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is time for your child to take the next dose, do not take the missed dose and then return to your child’s normal schedule.
• Do not give a double dose at the same time or additional doses.

How do I store and / or discard this drug?

• Store at room temperature, protected from light.Store in a dry place. Do not store in the bathroom.
• Store all medicines in a safe place. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.
• Dispose of unused or expired drugs. Do not empty into toilet or drain unless directed to do so. If you have any questions about the disposal of your medicinal products, consult your pharmacist. Your area may have drug recycling programs.

General information on medicinal products

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not improve, or if they get worse, see your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s medicine with others or give anyone’s medicine to your child.
• Some medicines may come with other patient information sheets. If you have questions about this drug, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional.
• If you think an overdose has occurred, call a Poison Control Center immediately or seek medical attention. Be prepared to tell or show which drug you took, how much and when it happened.

Use of information by consumer and limitation of liability

This information should not be used to make decisions about taking this or any other drug. Only the attending physician has the necessary knowledge and experience to make decisions about which drugs are appropriate for a particular patient.This information does not guarantee that the drug is safe, effective, or approved for the treatment of any disease or specific patient. Here are only brief general information about this drug. It does NOT contain all available information on the possible use of the drug with instructions for use, warnings, precautions, information about interactions, side effects and risks that may be associated with this drug. This information should not be construed as a treatment guide and does not replace information provided to you by your healthcare professional.Check with your doctor for complete information on the possible risks and benefits of taking this drug. Use of this information is governed by the Lexicomp End User License Agreement available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/lexicomp/about/eula.

Copyright

© UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and / or licensors, 2021. All rights reserved.

90,000 contraindications and bending, pros and cons of hormonal contraceptives – Women’s Medical Center “MedOk” – Women’s Medical Center MedOK

Birth control pills are the most common form of hormonal contraception.In addition to the high contraceptive effect, the pills are used for medicinal purposes. These drugs are used in the treatment of diseases such as endometriosis (internal and external), hormonal dysfunctions, functional ovarian cysts, profuse uterine bleeding, and infertility.

In addition, new generation hormonal pills can be prescribed as a therapeutic agent even for girls and women who are not sexually active for the treatment of seborrhea, acne and other diseases caused by hormonal imbalance.

One pack of tablets is designed for one menstrual cycle. The principle of administration is simple: tablets are taken from the first day of the menstrual cycle and then they must be used one per day at the same time. If there are 28 tablets, then they are taken continuously, if the drug is designed for 21 days of admission, then a 7-day break is taken, during which menstruation comes, and then the drug is continued.

Taking hormonal pills requires attention and organization.Only in this case is a high contraceptive effect achieved. If you accidentally missed taking one pill, you must act strictly according to the instructions that come with the drug. In this case, pregnancy can be avoided. However, if two pills are missed, it is already necessary to resort to the use of additional contraceptives.

In addition, it is necessary to carefully study the instructions for the compatibility of hormonal contraceptives with the use of other drugs – many drugs reduce the effect of contraceptives.

For medicinal purposes, contraceptive pills are taken for a period of at least three months.

Non-combined hormonal pills (mini-pills) are a type of oral contraceptive. These pills consist only of estrogens, so the number of contraindications and side effects they have is much less than that of combined drugs.

However, the mini-saws have lower reliability. And, nevertheless, mini-pills are often the choice for women over 40 years old, during breastfeeding, as well as for patients with varicose veins and prone to thrombosis.

There are also postcoital hormone pills that can only be used in exceptional cases. These are pills with a high content of the hormone progestogen. You can take such a drug only when the risk of an unwanted pregnancy is extremely high.

Hormonal contraceptives: everything you need to know

Despite the fact that only a lazy person does not speak about hormonal contraception, there are fewer reliable facts about it than myths. It is worth noting that in our country women of reproductive age use it only 9%, while in the USA, for example, 45%.How to choose and whether it is worth using such contraceptives in general, what to look for and how to take in order to eliminate side effects and get health benefits.
Nowhere in the literature, the Internet or the doctor’s office, you will find comprehensive information about why you should start taking hormonal contraceptives or why not. The opinions of some experts claim that they need to be taken for life from an early age, while others are inclined to believe that it is permissible to use them in short courses for treatment.But in fact, the truth is on both scales.

Hormones play an important role in the human body, controlling all vital processes, including reproductive ones. When the hormonal balance is in balance, a person’s life is in a state of “Zen”. But the hormonal system, like any other in our body, can malfunction. In this case, synthetic derivatives come to the rescue.
In women, mainly hormonal fluctuations lead to a number of “uncomfortable” consequences:

• Menstrual irregularities
• Mood swings and psychoemotional disorders
• Weight jumps
• Diseases of the genital tract
• Inability to conceive or carry a child
• Cosmetic defects, acne and pimples, rashes on the face and body, hair loss

And there are many other troubles when hormonal correction is required.In addition to treating the female reproductive system, drugs are also used as a targeted method of contraception. But in this case, it will be correct to undergo at least a minimal examination, because this is a serious drug, not vitamins.

How do hormonal contraceptives work?

The mission of such contraceptives is to prevent pregnancy. And this happens under the influence of synthetic hormones or combined oral contraceptives (COCs), which in micro doses either “lull” the eggs, or increase the viscosity of mucus in the vagina and suppress the function of ovulation, which is controlled by the pituitary gland.It also maintains a normal level of progesterone, which is necessary for carrying a baby. That is, the pituitary gland paused the reproduction of offspring, the eggs are not ejected from the ovary unnecessarily, so fertilization becomes impossible.
Before the doctor understands the full picture of your health based on the tests, be sure to share the maximum information about your lifestyle, hereditary and chronic diseases, if any.
For example, for girls who smoke, oral contraception is prohibited, because taking these drugs can affect the blood circulation process, thicken the blood, which, in combination with nicotine, can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and venous pathologies.

Biochemical blood tests are considered desirable (COCs are contraindicated in diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney diseases), urinalysis, ultrasound of internal organs and pelvic organs, mandatory examination by a doctor.

It would be ideal if you take a blood test to check the level of progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, LH – luteinizing hormone and FSH – follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, androgenic steroid hormone, which, in addition to male organs, is also present in the ovaries, and all of the listed items affect the general condition of the reproductive system.

But, the quality of the female body depends not only on the functioning of the female genital organs. Derivatives of the thyroid gland also help to ensure a harmonious life, which, if possible, are also desirable to pass. These are TSH, free T4, free T3 – they affect general well-being, the nervous system, blood pressure, skin and hair condition, carbohydrate metabolism, and therefore weight.

This is the perfect picture. But, most often, the doctor prescribes contraceptives, guided by minimal information, which is sometimes enough.To undergo examinations or not is a matter of the patient’s conscience, but in no way a mandatory appointment of a doctor.

All of them are divided into 2 types: combined tablets (COC) and mini-pills. As you can understand, the combined ones consist of two components, mini-tablets are based on one.

Differences between COC and mini-pili

They differ not only in composition, but also in their effect on the body.

Mini-pills, usually consist of a micro-dose of gestagens. The clinically proven efficacy is lower than that of the combined ones, but there is a plus – they are suitable for breastfeeding and 1.5 months after childbirth.Due to the fact that the drug contains one low-dose component, it acts only on the endometrium, without affecting the main functions of the reproductive system. So, their reception makes the attachment of a fertilized egg impossible and pregnancy does not occur.
This principle of action of mini-pills gives an undeniable advantage over COCs – minimizing side effects. The choice in favor of the mini-pili is also made by the doctor in the case when the patient has serious reasons for prohibiting the use of combined OCs – arterial hypertension, chronic liver diseases, diabetes, migraines.

KOC, , unlike the previous version, has a more massive effect, because the contraceptive effect occurs through the pituitary gland. Combined are divided into three more types:
monophasic – each pill in the package contains the same dose of hormones, does not cause an increase in pressure, does not provoke an increase in body weight, does not retain fluid, does not have a significant effect on the liver. Diana, Silest, Marvelon, Silest, Lactinet, Logest.
biphasic – contain different doses of hormones: the first majority contain estrogens, in the rest, progestogens are connected to estrogens.This approach mimics the natural fluctuation of hormones in a girl at different periods of the cycle. Drugs in this group are not often prescribed. Antiovin, Regevidon, Miniziston, Adepal
three-phase – contain different doses of hormones, but in total – the smallest or micro-dose – in comparison with the previous drugs. They are considered the most modern and most naturally imitating the cycle. Triziston, Tri-regol, Tri-merci, Trinovum.

Pros and cons of COC

If you have a question about the choice of contraceptive pills on your agenda, you should understand that even a full examination, a thorough consultation with a gynecologist and an examination will not be able to give completely favorable predictions regarding the use of hormonal pills.The body of each lady is individual, as is the selection of funds.

• Considered the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies
• They have “pleasant bonuses” in the form of clear skin, getting rid of acne and acne, lack of oily skin, weight loss, pain relief during menstruation and elimination of PMS, breast size increase.
• additionally have a preventive and therapeutic effect on the female reproductive system
• convenient and easy to use
• reduce the risk of developing cancers of the ovaries, endometrium and cervix

Cons:

• will not protect against vaginal infections and fungi, dangerous diseases
• require strict admission discipline at the same time every day
• May cause unwanted side effects: headaches, nausea, fluid retention, increased appetite, mood swings
• full recovery of the ability to conceive is restored in a woman from 2 to 6 months
• not compatible with some medications (anticonvulsants and antibacterials) and lifestyle (even occasional alcohol and smoking)

How to take hormones correctly

1. All contraceptives are available with either 21 active pills in a blister or 28.
2. Carefully read the instructions, follow all the manufacturer’s instructions
3. The tablets should be taken from 1 to 5 days of the onset of menstruation. If this is a pack with 21 tablets, then after taking the last one there is a break for 7 days and after that it is important to proceed to the next pack, regardless of the day on which menstruation began. If there are 28 contraceptive pills in a pack, then no breaks are needed. After the last pill, immediately start the next one. In this case, menstruation occurs from the 21st to the 28th day.
4. Check your appointment every day! (a strict reception at the same time applies to a mini-drink, since its effect is short-lived and a delay of even 2-3 hours reduces the contraceptive effect to zero)
5. In the first week of using the drug, it is recommended to use additional methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy.
6. With a sharp appearance of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea after a pill, you should immediately stop taking hormones and try to find other drugs and methods.
7. If you skip birth control, follow the manufacturer’s instructions
8. If, for any reason, withdrawal bleeding does not occur (expected periods), do not interrupt the appointment and consult a gynecologist

Contraindications:

Among the strict contraindications for these types of contraceptives are:

• malignant and benign tumors of various locations
• diabetes mellitus
• thrombosis
• pancreatitis
• liver and kidney pathology
• pathology of the heart and blood vessels

Refusal of contraceptives – “Family and School”

Refusal of contraception

If you are going to refuse hormonal contraception, then you need to understand that the body will definitely react to it.Unfortunately, many women notice the negative impact of hormonal withdrawal on the body as a whole. What is the cause of the side effects of hormone withdrawal and how can they be minimized? Let’s find out.

Why does the body rebel?

After giving up birth control, many women notice that more severe menstrual pains return, rashes may appear on the skin, and the emotional state becomes unstable. These changes are especially noticeable immediately after the abolition of hormonal drugs.What is the reason?

In fact, this is how the body fights hormonal changes. If for many years hormones came from outside, the body got used to the fact that they do not need to be produced on its own, “lazy”. Now he needs to restore the hormonal background again, and this will happen, it is only necessary to give the body a little time.

How to facilitate this process and recover with a minimum of side effects? Here are some tips.

1. Tidy up the intestinal microflora.
   The tablets were absorbed in the intestines, so it makes sense to scan it and restore normal microflora with probiotics.
2. Eat well and in a balanced way.
   This is important whether you are taking hormones or not. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives can lead to vitamin B deficiency, so eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to make up for the deficiency. This is especially important if pregnancy is planned soon – vegetables contain a lot of folic acid, which is responsible for cell division.
3. Be patient.
   The normal cycle will be restored within a couple of months after hormone withdrawal. However, if you are not planning a pregnancy, it is worth considering another method of contraception as early as possible.
4. Take herbal teas.
   The herb cuff has a beneficial effect on the cycle. It not only helps regulate the cycle, but also relieves pain during menstruation. You can make a mixture of Cuff, Melissa and Damiana – such a herbal tea will help the body to recover faster.
5. Take magnesium supplements. Magnesium has a relaxing effect on the uterus. Such preparations can not only be drunk, but also rubbed into the skin (in the case of magnesium oil). The drug is absorbed better through the skin.

If you want to replace hormonal contraception with another type of protection, or get advice from a qualified specialist, please contact our center – we will be happy to help you!

What to expect after giving up hormonal contraception – Wonderzine

Olga Lukinskaya

ANSWERS TO THE MOST OF THE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE ARE CONCERNING US we are used to looking online.In the new series of materials, we ask just such questions: burning, unexpected or common – to professionals in various fields.

The questions about contraception seem to be endless, and the most effective method, hormonal, is still distrustful for many. While some are afraid to start taking hormones, others do not know how to give them up without feeling a lot of undesirable effects like the return of PMS or acne. How can you avoid this situation? In what cases do you have to cancel seemingly suitable COCs? Is it true that they are prescribed a short course before a planned pregnancy and what tests need to be done before starting the appointment? We asked these questions to an expert.

gynecologist-reproductologist, head of the reproduction department of the clinic “Dad, Mom and Baby”, Nizhny Novgorod

Combined oral contraceptives are designed to prevent unwanted pregnancy. This is their main and only task – and this is one of the few groups of drugs that are used in absolutely healthy people, and for a long time. If old OCs were feared because they could provoke weight gain or exacerbate depression, then with new ones, on the contrary, health often improves and patients are afraid to stop taking them.In fact, if we are talking about the cancellation of modern COCs after a long period (a year or longer), then a healthy woman should not have any withdrawal syndrome.

Another thing is the presence of problems with weight, skin or manifestations of PMS even before the appointment of a contraceptive.

The latest generations of COCs have additional effects – they prevent fluid retention and regulate the sensitivity of the receptors located in the skin to testosterone (this helps to reduce rashes). Of course, when taking such drugs, if these conditions existed, they will improve, and after the abolition of the contraceptive, PMS and skin and weight problems can naturally return.The solution is to correct these conditions regardless of the use of the contraceptive. As for acne – indeed, some types of contraceptives are registered as drugs for the treatment of acne, and they can be prescribed not only by a gynecologist, but also by a dermatocosmetologist.

Sometimes, after stopping the pills, women complain of hair loss – this is due to hormonal changes: when taking COCs, the life cycle of the hair changes, so that they can grow for a long time and not fall out. After discontinuation of the drug, a return to normal occurs, which creates the appearance of “excess” hair loss, although in fact, the hair does not become smaller than before.Since there are no pronounced hormonal fluctuations against the background of COCs, the mood is also smoothed out – and its changes when returning to the natural cycle can be an unpleasant surprise.

Of course, you need to stop taking it after finishing the already started packaging, without throwing it in the middle of the cycle. By and large, the cancellation should also take place under the supervision of a doctor: you should understand what lies ahead, the transition to another method of contraception or the planned pregnancy.

After discontinuation of COCs, the concentration of pituitary hormones becomes “correct” for the next couple of cycles, which effectively stimulates ovulation

There are not so many contraindications to taking COCs.First of all, these are acute thrombosis of large vessels, strokes and heart attacks in history. However, no “varicose veins” and “blood thickening” have anything to do with limiting the use of COCs. Oral contraceptives are categorically contraindicated for women over thirty-five years of age who smoke more than fifteen cigarettes a day. It happens that against the background of taking COCs, a migraine occurs – then a complex algorithm is used.

If a migraine with aura, then COCs are contraindicated, but it is possible to use drugs only with progestins (that is, not combined, but with one hormonal component).True, you need to carefully weigh the possible risks, look at other risk factors for a particular woman. For migraine without aura, the use of a contraceptive depends on age and is not recommended after 35 years.

There is a very detailed guideline – National Medical Acceptance Criteria for Contraception. It is he who should be used by a gynecologist when choosing a contraceptive and conducting consultations for his patients. To prescribe a contraceptive, it is enough for the patient to use it and consult a gynecologist, taking into account these acceptance criteria.Tests for “coagulogram”, “all hormones” and the like are not required.

In case of menstrual irregularities, if pregnancy is planned, COCs are sometimes prescribed in a short course. This is done so that the so-called rebound effect occurs – full ovulation (and the rapid onset of pregnancy) after the drug is discontinued. The bottom line is that a three-month course of COCs causes a temporary decrease in the levels of pituitary hormones; after discontinuation of the drug, the concentration of these hormones becomes “correct” and rhythmic for the next couple of cycles, and this effectively stimulates ovulation.Of course, only a gynecologist can prescribe a contraceptive for this purpose and only if there is evidence. In patients with normal ovulation and a regular cycle, the appointment of COCs “to increase the chance” of pregnancy does not make sense.

In preparation for pregnancy, folic acid should be taken three to five months before the planned conception – this is the only vitamin that is really necessary for a healthy pregnancy and prevents serious disturbances in the fetus. For the convenience of patients who do not want to take two drugs – COC and folic acid – contraceptives with its addition have been invented.However, after the contraceptive is canceled and until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, you will still have to take folate.

Photos: Studio KIVI – stock. adobe.com, Jacob Kearns – stock.adobe.com

Getting off hormone pills: personal experience | Be Healthy

If you believe in progress, have a long-term partner and do not consider abortion to be a means of contraception, there is a great chance that sooner or later you will become addicted to oral hormonal contraceptives.

If you believe in progress, have a long-term partner and do not consider abortion to be a contraceptive, there is a great chance that sooner or later you will become addicted to oral hormonal contraceptives. It happened to me twice – at nineteen and twenty-four.

About the first time I remember only good things – my cycle was adjusted and the panic fear of pregnancy disappeared. The second attempt turned out to be much more interesting. When I came to the doctor with a request to pick up pills for me, they made me a full set of tests, except for hormonal ones.The doctor said that since I have no complaints and outwardly noticeable problems, hormone tests will be a waste of money. And she prescribed me the newest and “lightest” pills at that time. By the way, I still doubt that hormone tests would have saved me from those nuances that have arisen over time.

I drank pills for about four years, deliberately not taking the “prescribed” breaks – also on the recommendation of a doctor, so as “not to knock the body out of rhythm.” I felt great, endured the “critical days” well, looked great and did not get pregnant.It would seem an ideal effect. Suddenly, one fine day, about a year ago, I felt that I had to stop taking pills.

It was a completely irrational feeling. As luck would have it, I constantly began to come across articles about the effect of hormones on the emotional state and on sexual desire. I began to think that I was some kind of fake, frozen. That my hormonal background is artificial, my libido is underdeveloped, and emotions are completely absent. During the period from twenty-four to twenty-eight years, my body must have changed a lot, and I don’t even know what I really am … And I decided to quit.Moreover, she slowly began to think about having a child. In the best traditions of the genre of January 1, the last pack of pills went to the trash can, and I began to see what would happen next.

The first week of flew by quickly.

In , second week , strange things began to happen. At first I was covered with small pimples and I became like a teenage girl. A few days later, I fainted on the subway. The next day, my lower abdomen was terribly ill.I did not understand at all what was happening to me, and even slightly panicked – as if, having thrown the pills, I had forgotten how to think. A colleague saved the day, who, having counted on her fingers, suggested that I was ovulating. So it turned out following the results of the visit to the doctor.

By the way, a colleague, who herself has recently been on pills, scared me great, dreamingly stretching out: “Oh-oh-oh, well, now you will have PMS …”. Holding my breath, I began to wait for the PMS.

The third week I passed, all the time humming something to myself, smiling at passers-by and making ruinous raids on the refrigerator.The appetite woke up not at all for sweet and fat, but simply for everything!

The fourth week began with olfactory hallucinations. I smelled strange all the time. Tea smelled of perfume, sausage – herring, coffee – gasoline. I even decided I was pregnant. Moreover, nothing similar to PMS never happened. On the contrary, I was overwhelmed with tenderness for the world around me and complete harmony with myself. It turned out that I am always in a good mood, even if things are not going well. Melodramas about love began to cause a touching sniffle in the cynical me.I began to paint my lips and eyelashes, and even bought a couple of new lipsticks, which I hadn’t done for five years. By the end of the fourth week, desperate to wait for PMS, I did a pregnancy test. One strip!

So I lived to see my first “tablet-free” period. The fifth week of was devoted entirely to this event. Compared to my past experience, I felt much worse, especially on the first day. The pain was hellish, I even had to drink ketans and no-shpa, which I did not do all those years that I was on pills.

By the sixth week dawned on me. I realized that for a long time I drank not contraceptive pills at all, but some kind of “wild animal”. My emotions and reactions changed so much that I did not recognize myself. I became much more feminine, calmer and softer – as if I made friends with myself, from within. A doctor friend to whom I told about my feelings was very surprised and said that this should have happened to me just the opposite – if I started taking pills, and not quit!

The seventh week was marked “I want sex.”I wanted him always and everywhere. Here I was disappointed – I had to remember what condoms are. Honestly, I didn’t like it. Over the years of long stable relationships, I lost the habit of them and it turned out to be unpleasant to get used to it again. It was uncomfortable for me and somehow “unnatural” … The question of protection again stood on the edge.

In parallel with my own experience, during this time I managed to save up some information from people around . A friend said that when she started taking pills, she literally physically felt how she was becoming more rigid, even angry.The other two, who recently started taking pills, said they saw no difference. To be honest, I noticed a change in one of them – that same rigidity. A friend said that his wife, having stopped taking pills, became “a different person” – livelier, more open, more feminine, and … recovered! A doctor friend explained that there is practically no research on the effect of hormonal contraceptives on the emotional background, and even a full range of hormone tests will not guarantee your “emotional safety”, and doctors often simply dismiss questions and complaints about this topic.

In general, the new life has been going on for for three months, and my personal impressions are also not unambiguous:

• my skin has worsened greatly, it stopped constantly drying, as it was all the “tablet” years, but it began to get irritated from time to time and become covered with pimples;

• I have become harder to endure my periods;

• my character has improved a lot and everyone noticed it;

• relationships – I began to find a bunch of more important and creative things than to immediately “build” everyone;

• I always know when I am ovulating;

• olfactory hallucinations continue, in the last month gustatory hallucinations have been added to them – it’s even funny.

As a result, , despite all the difficulties, I like it more. I am ready to put up with condoms (we have not yet found an alternative reliable method of contraception), hallucinations and pimples for the sake of full-fledged sensations, good mood and femininity.

A month ago I had my first wrinkle. Of course, no one will name the exact reasons, but it seems to me that this is due to the abolition of the pills. However, a wrinkle appeared in the corner of his mouth – from a smile.And now I smile much more often.

consequences of abolishing contraceptive pills. PEOPELTALK

With hormonal contraceptives, everything is somehow complicated and incomprehensible. It is clear, of course, how they should be taken. But what if you cancel them? Will the skin condition deteriorate? Is there a risk of gaining a couple of extra pounds? So that you don’t have to wonder what could go wrong after giving up hormonal contraceptives, we spoke with two experts: a gynecologist and a nutritionist!

Contraceptives & Skin

Q: Will I get acne if I stop taking contraceptives?

Answer: No.If you took them in order to improve the condition of the skin, then after the cancellation, nothing like this will happen, since contraceptives will already improve the body’s work. So neither pimples nor blackheads should come back! “In the composition of hormonal agents there is a component with an antiandrogenic effect, it reduces the effect of testosterone derivatives on the target points – the sebaceous glands and hair follicles,” says Nina Antipova. “After the abolition of contraceptives, nothing will happen, just follow the basic rules of hygiene for skin care.”

Contraceptives and pregnancy

Question: Will I get pregnant immediately after stopping contraceptives?

Answer: Such a possibility is not excluded. “Often hormonal drugs are prescribed for the purpose of contraception, to maintain a certain level of hormones in the body, at which pregnancy does not occur. So after their abolition, the possibility of conceiving increases, – specifies Natalya Fadeeva, Ph.D., a nutritionist-endocrinologist. “By the way, contraceptives are often prescribed precisely in order to get pregnant and carry a child afterwards.”

Contraceptives and youth

Question: If I took contraceptives to preserve my youth and beauty, after canceling them, I will “cover” with wrinkles?

Answer: Hormonal drugs are often prescribed for the purpose of substitution therapy, for example, during menopause, in this case their main goal is to prolong a woman’s youth, maintain a good turgor and condition of the skin and hair, as well as prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system and osteoporosis. Of course, in this case, after the cancellation, everything will return to normal.

Contraceptives and stress

Question: If I stop taking contraceptives, will I get depressed?

Answer: Most likely yes. Contraceptives eliminate the symptoms of PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) – irritability, tearfulness, despondency, and also cope with the pain associated with the onset of menstruation. After canceling them, it is possible that the mood will change.

Contraceptives and sex

Question: If I cancel contraceptives, will my sexual activity increase?

Answer: It’s hard to say unequivocally.You will not stop being sexy, but an increase in libido is possible.

Contraceptives and overweight

Question: If I stop taking contraceptives, will I get fat?

Answer: No. It is unlikely that birth control will have any effect on your weight. Some change in appetite is possible in the first two to three months from the start of taking hormonal contraceptives (they can also lead to fluid retention in the body). “But contraceptives do not have a direct effect on weight, especially since drugs with microdoses of hormones have been created,” notes Natalya Fadeeva, Ph.MD, nutritionist-endocrinologist. “Weight gain while taking or canceling hormonal contraceptives is usually associated not with the hormonal drug itself, but with a sedentary lifestyle and improper diet,” emphasizes Nina Antipova, obstetrician-gynecologist. “To prevent this from happening, you just need to go in for sports and monitor the calorie content of your diet.”

Fomin’s Clinic – a network of multidisciplinary clinics

There are many methods of hormonal contraception, it is not easy to understand them.In this article, we answer the most common questions and consider in detail the pros, cons and subtleties of using hormonal contraceptives.

All processes associated with childbirth in the female body are controlled by hormones. With the help of drugs that contain synthetic analogs of female hormones, it is possible to prevent pregnancy even at the stage of egg maturation.

Modern hormonal contraceptives can do three things:

• prevent the egg from leaving the ovaries – that is, they stop ovulation;

• make the mucus in the cervix thick and sticky so that sperm cannot reach the egg and fertilize it;

• disrupt the growth of the uterine lining (endometrium) – as a result, the fertilized egg cannot gain a foothold in the uterus.

This is usually enough to prevent pregnancy. Women who use hormonal contraceptives do not need a condom “for insurance,” but to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. Hormonal contraceptives do not protect against germs.

The British Ministry of Health estimates that hormonal contraceptives are more than 99% effective when used correctly. But even if you use them not quite according to the instructions (for example, take a pill at the wrong time, or skip taking one pill altogether), the result will still be quite reliable: about 91% effectiveness.

It is important to understand that there is no 100% reliable method of contraception. The staff of the World Health Organization (WHO) calculated the proportion of married couples who used hormonal contraceptives for a whole year in full accordance with the existing recommendations – that is, according to the instructions and regularly. Even so, 0.05-0.3% of women did become pregnant.

And this is an excellent result. In comparison, the proportion of women who became pregnant while using the male condom was 2%.Sperm-killing vaginal suppositories and gels failed the owners in 18% of cases, and vaginal diaphragms, which were used together with gels, in 6% of cases.

Like any drugs, hormonal contraceptives have side effects, but the benefits of them in most cases far outweigh the harm. For example, birth control pills were recently found to protect women from ovarian and endometrial cancer.

It is interesting that even a complete “abolition of menstruation” does not harm the female body.It is even helpful – if a woman suffered from endometriosis prior to taking contraceptives, hormonal contraceptives can help relieve symptoms.

But in order for contraception to be useful, an important condition must be observed: the drug must be selected correctly. This should be done by a doctor.

No. For most women, the ability to have children is restored in the first month after giving up hormonal contraception.

The only exception is injectable contraceptive methods, which last for 3-6 months.In order for the probability of conception to be higher, it is worth waiting 6-10 months from the moment of the last injection.

Hormonal contraceptives are divided into two large groups: progestin and combined, the latter include progestins and estrogens. Although drugs from both groups prevent pregnancy, they work slightly differently and have different side effects.

For example, in addition to protecting against unplanned pregnancy, combination drugs treat acne and reduce menstrual pain – but more often progestin-only drugs cause headaches, and they should not be smoked.

In addition, the difference in composition allows you to select a contraceptive for the needs of a particular woman. The medication a teenager needs may be different from a 40-year-old mother of two.

What they are. Progestin-only contraceptives come in the form of tablets, subcutaneous implants, and injections.

Suitable for anyone. A universal remedy, suitable for almost everyone. Most often it is recommended for patients who have contraindications for combined contraceptives: nursing mothers and women who have contraindications for taking combined contraceptives.

Frequent side effects. Acne, breast tenderness, headaches. Sometimes spotting occurs, or these contraceptives lead to a complete absence of menstruation, which does not suit everyone.

Nuances:

If a woman chose pills, and more than 5 days have passed since the last menstrual period, 2 more days after taking the first pill, you need to use additional methods of contraception. If less than 5 days have passed, additional contraception is not needed.

If a woman does not have a menstrual cycle and is not pregnant, you can start drinking the drug on any day of the cycle. Just in case, you need to use additional means of protection for another 2 days.

You can take the tablets immediately after the baby is born, but it is better to start one month after the birth. So there is less danger of thromboembolism – blockage of a vein by a blood clot.

If a woman has chosen an injection or an implant, and more than 7 days have passed since the last menstrual period, additional means of protection should be used for another week.If less than 7 days have passed, additional contraception is not needed.

How to take. You can start taking the pills any day of your cycle. Stop taking – too, “finishing” the package to the end is not necessary.

Advantages:

• Suitable for women of any age
• Suitable for women who have given birth and have not given birth
• Before taking the drug, you do not need to be examined by a gynecologist

Disadvantages

• Must be taken every day

How to use.Under local anesthesia, it is injected under the skin once every 3 years on any day of the cycle. You can retrieve it at any time.

Pros:

• The most reliable method (less than 0.5 pregnancies per 100 women per year of use)
• The maximum possible period for hormonal contraceptives is valid: 3 years
• Suitable for women who have given birth and have not given birth
• Reduce the number of menstrual flow

Cons

• Painful sensations may occur when installing and removing the implant

How to use.Depending on the drug, every 2-3 months on any day of the cycle, an injection is made into the gluteus muscle or deltoid muscle of the shoulder.

Pros:

• Convenient compared to pills: you need to think about contraception only once every 2-3 months
• Suitable for women of any age
• Suitable for women who have given birth and have not given birth

Cons

• Injection can be painful, sometimes bruises and bumps appear
• Side effects are more often expressed: acne, increased hair growth (hirsutism)

What are.Combined contraceptives come in the form of pills, vaginal rings, and patches.

Suitable for anyone. Most healthy non-smoking women before menopause. However, all people (and drugs) are different, so you need to select pills together with a gynecologist.

Who do not fit. Nursing mothers, women over 35 who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day, and women suffering from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, bleeding disorders, migraine with aura, complicated diabetes and liver disease.

Nuances:

Before prescribing a combined contraceptive, the doctor should ask the patient about her well-being in detail and measure blood pressure. The drug is not suitable for women with arterial hypertension. If the pressure is below 140/90 mm Hg. Art., the medicine can be used.

If more than 5 days have passed since the last menstrual period, in order not to get pregnant, you need to use additional methods of contraception for another week. If less than 5 days have passed since your last menstrual period, additional contraception is not needed.If a woman does not have a menstrual cycle, and she is not pregnant, you can start drinking the drug on any day of the cycle. Just in case, you need to use additional methods of contraception for another week.

Combined contraceptives are not recommended for the first 3-6 weeks after childbirth. This will reduce the risk of thromboembolism.

How to take. The tablets must be taken one piece a day at the same time. If you miss even one day, there is a small risk of getting pregnant.

Most modern combination drugs are 21 tablets, after which the woman does not take the drug for 7 days, or 24 tablets with active ingredient and 4 “dummies” without active ingredient. These pills are more convenient because they can be taken continuously.

Pros:

• Help to normalize the cycle for women with irregular periods
• Reduce menstrual flow by 40-50%
• Reduce menstrual pain in 70-80% of patients
• Can be used to treat acne
• Reduce blood loss and pain myoma and endometriosis
• Reduces the risk of certain cancers (ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and colorectal cancer)
• Strengthens bones

Cons:

• Must be taken every day at the same time
• Not recommended for nursing mothers
• Not suitable for everyone: there are contraindications
• Side effects: from spotting in the first month of admission to headaches and depression

How to use.Insert into the vagina once a month, like a tampon. After 3 weeks, the ring must be taken out and taken off for a week. After a week, insert a new ring.

Pros:

• All the advantages of pills, but the ring is more convenient to use
• Compared to a patch: invisible on the body

Cons:

• Can be felt inside the vagina
• Can fall out – then it needs to be rinsed under running water and insert again
• The risk of vaginal microflora disorders increases, symptoms may worsen in people with vaginosis and candidiasis
• May interfere with intercourse

How to use.Stick on belly, thigh or shoulder. The patch should be changed once a week. After three weeks, take a break for one week.

• All the advantages of pills, but the plaster is more convenient to use
• Compared to a vaginal ring: no problems with discomfort and vaginal microflora

Cons:

It gets dirty quickly and does not look aesthetically pleasing – Can often come off, especially in summer – More often needs to be replaced than a ring – May cause skin irritation – Few options: it is difficult to find an alternative patch if it causes side effects

If a woman has a regular cycle, and contraceptives are needed only so that an unplanned pregnancy does not occur, get tested for sex hormones, biochemistry and blood clotting are not necessary.

If the woman has had health problems, the doctor may order additional tests. This will help ensure that the contraceptive method you choose will do more good than harm.

If the absence of menstruation does not bother you, you do not need to cancel hormonal contraceptives, it will not harm your health, and will not affect your ability to have children in the future.

To avoid your period, you can use birth control pills continuously. And if you put in an implant or regularly inject, there is a chance that your periods will go away on their own.

Contraceptives with progestins: tablets. If you remember about a missed pill within 3 hours, just drink it and continue taking as usual. Two days after that, you will have to additionally protect yourself.

If you remembered the pill later, the recommendations are the same. The only problem is that the reliability of contraception in this situation is a big question. If you keep forgetting about pills, you may be better off with another method of contraception. Contraceptives with progestins: injections.If you are less than 2 weeks late with the injection, just give it – no additional contraceptive measures are needed. If longer – too. The main thing is to make sure that you are not pregnant, and additionally use protection for a week.

Combined contraceptives: tablets. If you remember about a missed pill within two days, just take it, and then continue taking the pills “on schedule.” It’s okay if you have to take two tablets in one day. In addition, you do not need to protect yourself.

If more than two days have passed, you only need to take the last missed pill, and then drink on schedule. True, in this case, you will have to use additional methods of contraception for a week – for example, a condom.

The risk of getting pregnant depends on which pill you forget about. If this happens at the beginning or at the end of taking the tablets with the active substance, the chance of getting pregnant is higher. In this situation, it is worth consulting with your doctor and insuring yourself, even if less than 2 days have passed.

Combined contraceptives: ring, plaster. If less than two days have passed, simply insert a new ring or apply a patch. Additional protection is not necessary. If more than 2 days have passed, use a contraceptive and additionally protect yourself for a week. It is worth consulting your doctor: if you have had unprotected contacts, you may need emergency methods of contraception.

In this situation, doctors advise you to just take another pill – regardless of which contraceptive you used.If nausea and diarrhea persist for more than two days, act as if you missed a pill.

Side effects did not go away within 2-3 months from the start of the contraceptive intake. If the bloody discharge and nausea persist, you need to see a doctor to change the drug.

Feels bitter in the mouth, severe dizziness and bleeding. These symptoms persist over time. If they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor to change the drug.

• Correctly selected method of hormonal contraception is a reliable and safe way to avoid unplanned pregnancy.
• Hormonal contraceptives have contraindications, limitations and side effects. You need to choose a contraceptive together with your doctor.
• If the absence of menstruation does not bother you, it is not necessary to take a break from taking contraceptives. To maintain health, there is no need to endure menstruation.
• If the side effects of contraceptives do not go away within 2-3 months, you need to see your doctor to help you choose the most appropriate contraceptive.

What happens if the COC is canceled

Changing the cycle

Usually, after the pills are canceled, the cycle returns to its previous natural mode, but sometimes it chooses a new rhythm – longer or shorter than the previous one.

WHAT TO DO? “If your cycle is set within 21-36 days and at the same time it is regular, then you have no reason to worry,” explains Dr. Boldyreva.

Acne, blackheads, oily hair

They are most often caused by an imbalance of hormones in the body. With such problems, COCs with the so-called antiandrogenic effect are selected. “Pimples, acne, greasiness, and other skin problems associated with adolescent hormonal imbalance will disappear as a result of taking COCs and should not return after cancellation,” explains gynecologist Natalya Boldyreva.”But if the reasons are associated with endocrine disorders, then after a while after the abolition of COCs, the problems may return.”

WHAT TO DO? In this case, you will either have to choose another, systemic, therapy, or return to COCs. Until your skin is back to normal, watch your diet and drink more fluids.

Extra pounds

In some women, weight may increase by 1.5-2 kg (due to slight fluid retention) at the beginning of COC use. But the abolition of the contraceptive never gives such an effect.The reason for the extra pounds is something else, and it would be nice to go to the doctor and find the real reason.

WHAT TO DO? Think, maybe you are seized by stress after parting with a loved one? It’s better to relieve stress in the gym, honestly!

Pain in the lower abdomen

Occasionally this happens after the pills are canceled, if the ovaries, joining in the work, begin to function too actively, they may even swell a little. But it passes quickly. More often painful sensations arise as a result of hypothermia or genital infection.And perhaps they are due not so much to the refusal of contraceptives, but again to your worries about parting or, conversely, the upcoming wedding. In other words, pains have more to do with the digestive system than with the genital.

WHAT TO DO? Do an ultrasound scan immediately after your period, make sure everything is normal. Drink motherwort at night for a month. And watch your diet. It is not only the quantity and quality of food that is important, but also the manner: do not swallow food on the go, do not forget to chew properly.And don’t eat under stress! C

Oksana Alekseeva
Source: Cosmo.ru

Birth control pills | Medical Center “Carnelian”

Only the lazy do not speak about hormonal contraception. However, it is worth noting that the awareness of women of reproductive age in our country is only 9%, while the same indicator in the United States is approximately 45%. How to choose and whether it is worth using them at all, what to look for and what questions to ask the gynecologist, in our article.

How contraceptive is prescribed

in the Serdolik clinic in Novosibirsk will help to correctly assess the possibility of using contraceptive pills. They are selected strictly individually, because each drug has its own indications and contraindications. This means that the pill your friend is taking may not work for you at all. Solving this issue in a pharmacy or using the Internet is also dangerous. The gynecologist will require you to undergo research and be tested, and only then will he choose the best option.

If you choose contraceptive pills yourself, then not only an increase in body weight and the appearance of a headache, but also the development of liver pathologies, and menstrual irregularities are possible.

What tests need to be done

Mostly, the gynecologist prescribes an electrocardiogram and some tests:

• Amount of hormones.
• Blood test: general and biochemical.
• Ultrasound of the pelvis and mammary glands.

And this is just a minimal list.Only a gynecologist can select studies that are appropriate for the competent prescription of birth control pills.

When to take birth control

In addition to preventing unwanted pregnancy, you can see your gynecologist to prescribe birth control pills for other reasons. For example, they relieve symptoms that appear with polycystic ovaries. Such drugs are great for painful, heavy and prolonged menstruation.They are prescribed by some doctors in case of increased hairiness in those parts of the body where they should not be. In addition, to this day, oral contraceptives are used to treat skin. The skin became clear, and due to the alignment of the menstrual cycle, the flow of estrogen into the body helped to normalize the fat content.

Isn’t it dangerous

The use of contraceptive pills is very convenient if you do not plan to have a baby in the near future. The effectiveness of this method of contraception is quite high – 91-99%.This is several times more than other methods of preventing pregnancy: calendar, interrupted intercourse, spermicidal cream. It is due to the high efficiency that gynecologists have a rather positive attitude to these drugs. They have sometimes been used to treat skin problems.

Is it possible to constantly take contraceptives

Oral contraceptives should be used only for medicinal purposes. For example, they are used in the treatment of infertility and endometriosis. In some cases, the gynecologist may prescribe a long appointment, but breaks of at least 1-3 months are still required.If birth control pills are used to prevent pregnancy, then they can be used for a long time, but only if they are correctly selected.

It is important to note that it is worth keeping the period of taking the drug under control. It is not superfluous to constantly conduct a coagulogram, ultrasound of the mammary glands and take general tests. If at least one result has changed, then it is worth changing the drug or canceling it altogether.

How to safely stop contraception

You may have started hormonal contraception for a number of reasons, including to prevent pregnancy, regulate your period, or control acne.You may have different reasons why you want to stop.

But the safest way to go crazy will depend on your specific type of birth control. It’s usually easy to do it yourself. However, some methods may require a visit to the doctor.

How to quit smoking

Regardless of what type of contraceptive you are using, it is best to talk to your doctor first. You can get advice, learn about possible side effects, understand how quickly you can get pregnant, and what options if you don’t want to get pregnant.

Tablet. This is the most popular choice among women who currently use contraception. You can stop taking the pills at any time – no need to finish the pack. Your period may be off, but your period should return within 3 months.

Mini pipette. It contains only a progestin instead of the usual estrogens and progestins. You can stop taking the mini-pill at any time. It works slightly worse than combination pills to prevent pregnancy.So you will need another form of protection if you do not want to get pregnant.

Continued

Implants. This toothpick-sized tube is a long-lasting contraceptive. It usually lasts 3 years. You can ask your doctor or nurse to remove it at any time. Your fertility should return quickly.

Patches. These sticky squares stick to your skin and release estrogen and progestin. If you want to stop using them, simply remove the patch from yourself.To avoid getting pregnant, use another method of contraception right away.

Naval Forces. An intrauterine device or IUD is inserted into the uterus through the vagina. This can prevent you from getting pregnant for years to come. A doctor or nurse can remove it in a few minutes. If you are trying to have a baby, you can conceive a baby right away.

Membrane. This domed cup physically blocks sperm from entering the uterus. You put it in every time you have sex.Even if you no longer want to use your diaphragm as a contraceptive, leave it on for at least 6 hours after your last intercourse.

Continued

Vaginal ring. You insert this flexible plastic into your vagina like a tampon. It contains the same two hormones as the pill. You usually leave it on for 3 weeks and then take it out for a week. You can stop using the ring at any time during your menstrual cycle. If you are not planning a pregnancy, use another form of birth control right away.

An injection against fertility. Do not rely on vaccination for more than 2 years without first consulting your doctor. But you can get out of it whenever you want. Since a doctor must give this vaccine approximately every 3 months to stop using this type of birth control, you can simply stop getting the vaccine. Ask your doctor if you need additional contraception. You may be insured for a period of time, as the effects of the vaccine can last up to 9 months.

Why staying

You are responsible for your fertility. Sometimes you may want or need to stop using contraception for health or personal reasons.

Continued

You have side effects. Hormonal contraceptives can affect everyone in different ways . Some women have mood swings, weight changes, headaches, or nausea.Ask your doctor if switching to a different method can alleviate your side effects.

You want to have a baby. Stopping contraception is the first step to starting family planning. Either stop immediately or see your doctor to remove the implant or device. They can also help you plan your pregnancy.

You have health problems. Hormonal contraception sometimes does not work well with other medicines.It can also increase your chances of a heart attack or breast and cervical cancer.

You rarely have sex. It takes an effort to remember to take your pills every day or visit your doctor regularly for new prescriptions or shots. If you are not very sexually active, this can be too hassle. You may be more comfortable – and get better protection against STDs – if you rely on a barrier method, such as a condom or cervical cap with spermicide, every time you have intercourse.

When to see a doctor

In general, withdrawal from hormonal contraceptives does not cause serious side effects. But if your period does not return after about 4 to 8 weeks, your doctor should check for problems.

10 things that can happen when you give up birth control pills

You probably felt some changes when you started taking birth control pills, such as nausea or breast tenderness. So it makes sense that you might feel different again when you stop taking them.

Any hormonal birth control can change how you feel , , be it pills, patch, vaginal ring (Annovera, NuvaRing), hormonal IUDs (Kyleena, Liletta, Mirena, Skyla), injections (Depo-Provera) or an implanted rod (Nexplanon) Everyone is different, and some of the effects you notice may depend on the symptoms you had before you started taking the pills. But there are a few changes:

1.You can get pregnant. And before you say, “Aha,” keep in mind that this may happen sooner than you think. Many women think it takes a long time to conceive after stopping the pill, but research shows that pregnancy rates are about the same as for women who used barrier methods (such as condoms). Up to 96% of former pill users become pregnant within a year. And in one study, more than half were 6 months pregnant.But after the cessation of injections of the Depo-Provera type, more time may pass – up to a year.

CONTINUED

2. Your cycle can get wacky. Even if your periods were like hours before you started contraception, it may take months for them to heal after you stop. And if you had irregular periods, you are likely to be out of order again – the reliable schedule you liked (or the long breaks between periods) was based on hormones in pills.If your period stops completely, it may take several months for it to return.

3. Menses may be more severe and spasmodic. If you had heavy bleeding and pain before you started, chances are your heavy bleeding will return.

4. PMS may come back too. Tablets, especially some formulas, help your body to smooth out the hormonal chaos that can make you feel depressed, anxious and irritable.Without this balance, you may start feeling moody again.

5. You may have seizure attacks in the middle of the month. Most hormonal birth control methods prevent ovulation. Therefore, as soon as your body starts ovulating again, you may feel mild cramps on one side of the pelvis as the ovary releases an egg. You may also have more vaginal discharge.

Continued

6. Your weight may be reduced. Women who have only used progestin-only drugs (such as injections, hormonal IUDs, or pills) may have gained a few pounds, so the scale may drop when they stop using them. However, if you want to lose weight, you are likely to get more results from a better diet and more exercise than giving up birth control.

7. Acne and unwanted hair may return. Tablet can correct hormone imbalances that cause cracks and hairs in unwanted places on the skin.But this is a temporary solution: as soon as you stop taking contraception, your hormones can go out of order again, which will return these problems.

8. You can feel faster. A small number of women find that pills reduce their libido, especially if they take very low doses of pills. Thus, some women, about 15% in one study, may find themselves in this mood more often after stopping contraception.

9. Headaches may disappear. If the pill is giving you a headache, you will probably feel better when you stop taking it.

10. You will still have protection against certain types of cancer. One of the best “side effects” of the pill is that long-term use reduces the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. And if you’ve taken it long enough, payments continue after you stop. The same is true for some types of non-cancerous breast problems, such as fibrocystic breast disease, and fibroids.

How to stop taking birth control pills?

How to stop using contraception? just a cold turkey?

There is no “right way” to quit contraception – you can stop taking the pills in the middle of the pack, or end taking the pills you are currently in without starting a new one. Medically speaking, there is no difference, although completing your current pill pack means you will know when your period will start, while stopping in the middle will make it difficult to predict when your period will start.If it is important for you to know when your period is coming, it might make sense to end the package. If you use a ring or patch, it’s the same thing – you can stop whenever you want, but when you choose the time it will affect your next period.

After you stop using birth control, it will take a while for your body and your menstrual cycle to adjust, just as they did when you started taking the pills.You may notice a little spotting or bleeding between periods, and your periods may be irregular for several months, but this is temporary and your cycle will quickly return to what it was before you started using contraception.

Remember that once you give up birth control, you are no longer protected against pregnancy. Therefore, if you plan to stop taking the pill (patch or ring) and continue vaginal sex, but do not want to get pregnant, you will need to use a different method of birth control.

If you are switching to a new birth control method, you may need to duplicate methods or use a backup method, such as a condom, for up to a week. Your doctor or nurse may tell you how long you need to do this, depending on how long you need to do this. which method you are switching from and which method.

Tags:
birth control,
pill,
birth control pills,
Menstrual Cycle

Stopping Contraceptive Use: Side Effects and Remedies

When people stop using contraception, they may experience side effects, including irregular menstrual cycles, cramps, acne, and weight changes.

There has been little research into the side effects of stopping birth control, but anecdotal reports suggest that some people experience health problems and physical changes.

Stopping birth control can have different effects on different people. Below you will find out what stopping entails, what problems to expect, and how to deal with them.

Share on Pinterest A person may experience a change in their menstrual cycle when they stop using contraception.

Stopping any form of hormonal contraception removes external sources of progesterone or progesterone and estrogen. This changes the level of these hormones in the body, which can cause temporary side effects.

When a person stops using hormonal contraception, the likelihood of pregnancy increases.

Several studies have shown that after a person stops taking contraception, the ability to conceive is delayed for the first few months.However, research shows that, in general, contraceptive use does not adversely affect fertility.

Learn more about how to get pregnant after stopping birth control.

Always consult your doctor before stopping contraception. They can advise you to do it correctly and safely.

In most cases, it is easy to stop contraception. If a person is on the contraceptive pill, they simply do not take more pills, regardless of whether or not they have finished their pack.A person with NuvaRing can remove it on their own.

For someone with an internal device such as an implant, it requires a little medical procedure to terminate it.

Removing an IUD

Removing an intrauterine device (IUD) is usually painless, but can be uncomfortable.

If an IUD has inserted itself into the uterus, the doctor may use a hysteroscope to see the problem.

Some people have bleeding or spotting after the procedure.

In some cases, after removal of the IUD, a person develops fever, chills, or heavy bleeding. In this case, the person should immediately seek medical attention.

Learn more about IUD removal here.

Informal reports indicate that stopping hormonal contraception can cause:

Some of these effects, such as changes in the menstrual cycle, may be longer.

For example, doctors have described “postpillary amenorrhea.”This applies to a person who does not have a period immediately after stopping the birth control pill. It can take several months for your normal menstrual cycle to return.

Women who stop using the IUD may experience bleeding, spotting, or painful cramps after removal.

In addition, some people have reported a phenomenon called “Mirena Failure” after removing the device. It is associated with longer lasting psychological, neurological and physical problems.At the moment, no research has been conducted on this matter.

Clinical trials have yet to investigate the side effects of discontinuing hormonal contraception. Specific effects may depend on the type of birth control and factors specific to each individual.

Like the side effects of hormonal contraceptives, the side effects of stopping them are temporary and most of them disappear over time without treatment.

The best approach is to treat each one individually, for example by applying cold compresses to a sore, painful chest or taking pain relievers for headaches.

Anyone concerned about weight change after stopping hormonal contraception can follow dietary and physical activity recommendations to maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

For example, the Diet Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020. Activity and diet targets are clearly defined for people by age group.

Once a person stops using hormonal contraception, their menstrual cycle may return to what it was before the medication was started.

If a person has had heavy periods and PMS before starting hormonal contraception, these problems may return after the medication is stopped.

Learn how to manage heavy periods.

Side effects from stopping birth control disappear over time, although they may last longer in some people. If any side effects persist, see your doctor.

It is especially important to consult a doctor if your period does not return within 6 months after you stop taking hormonal contraception.If this happens, the person may need treatment to get the cycle back to regularity.

After removal of the IUD, a person should receive immediate medical attention if they experience fever, chills, or heavy vaginal bleeding.

Some people report side effects after stopping hormonal contraception. Although there is very little research on this issue, any side effects can result from changes in hormone levels.

Side effects are temporary and may include acne, weight and mood changes. Removing the IUD can sometimes cause vaginal bleeding, which should go away within a few days.

Other side effects such as fever, chills and heavy bleeding indicate a medical emergency.

Always consult your doctor before stopping hormonal contraception. They can advise on how to do it safely and tell you what to expect.

Stopping Contraception: Side Effects and Remedies

When people stop using contraception, they may experience side effects, including irregular menstrual cycles, cramps, acne, and weight changes.

There has been little research into the side effects of stopping birth control, but anecdotal reports suggest that some people experience health problems and physical changes.

Stopping birth control can have different effects on different people. Below you will find out what stopping entails, what problems to expect, and how to deal with them.

Share on Pinterest A person may experience a change in their menstrual cycle when they stop using contraception.

Stopping any form of hormonal contraception removes external sources of progesterone or progesterone and estrogen. This changes the level of these hormones in the body, which can cause temporary side effects.

When a person stops using hormonal contraception, the likelihood of pregnancy increases.

Several studies have shown that after a person stops taking contraception, the ability to conceive is delayed for the first few months. However, research shows that, in general, contraceptive use does not adversely affect fertility.

Learn more about how to get pregnant after stopping birth control.

Always consult your doctor before stopping contraception. They can advise you to do it correctly and safely.

In most cases, it is easy to stop contraception. If a person is on the contraceptive pill, they simply do not take more pills, regardless of whether or not they have finished their pack. A person with NuvaRing can remove it on their own.

For someone with an internal device such as an implant, it requires a little medical procedure to terminate it.

Removing an IUD

Removing an intrauterine device (IUD) is usually painless, but can be uncomfortable.

If an IUD has inserted itself into the uterus, the doctor may use a hysteroscope to see the problem.

Some people have bleeding or spotting after the procedure.

In some cases, after removal of the IUD, a person develops fever, chills, or heavy bleeding. In this case, the person should immediately seek medical attention.

Learn more about IUD removal here.

Informal reports indicate that stopping hormonal contraception can cause:

Some of these effects, such as changes in the menstrual cycle, may be longer.

For example, doctors have described “postpillary amenorrhea.” This applies to a person who does not have a period immediately after stopping the birth control pill. It can take several months for your normal menstrual cycle to return.

Women who stop using the IUD may experience bleeding, spotting, or painful cramps after removal.

In addition, some people have reported a phenomenon called “Mirena Failure” after removing the device. It is associated with longer lasting psychological, neurological and physical problems. At the moment, no research has been conducted on this matter.

Clinical trials have yet to investigate the side effects of discontinuing hormonal contraception.Specific effects may depend on the type of birth control and factors specific to each individual.

Like the side effects of hormonal contraceptives, the side effects of stopping them are temporary and most of them disappear over time without treatment.

The best approach is to treat each one individually, for example by applying cold compresses to a sore, painful chest or taking pain relievers for headaches.

Anyone concerned about weight change after stopping hormonal contraception can follow dietary and physical activity recommendations to maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

For example, the Diet Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020. Activity and diet targets are clearly defined for people by age group.

Once a person stops using hormonal contraception, their menstrual cycle may return to what it was before the medication was started.

If a person has had heavy periods and PMS before starting hormonal contraception, these problems may return after the medication is stopped.

Learn how to manage heavy periods.

Side effects from stopping birth control disappear over time, although they may last longer in some people. If any side effects persist, see your doctor.

It is especially important to consult a doctor if your period does not return within 6 months after you stop taking hormonal contraception. If this happens, the person may need treatment to get the cycle back to regularity.

After removal of the IUD, a person should receive immediate medical attention if they experience fever, chills, or heavy vaginal bleeding.

Some people report side effects after stopping hormonal contraception. Although there is very little research on this issue, any side effects can result from changes in hormone levels.

Side effects are temporary and may include acne, weight and mood changes.Removing the IUD can sometimes cause vaginal bleeding, which should go away within a few days.

Other side effects such as fever, chills and heavy bleeding indicate a medical emergency.

Always consult your doctor before stopping hormonal contraception. They can advise on how to do it safely and tell you what to expect.

Stopping Contraception: Side Effects and Remedies

When people stop using contraception, they may experience side effects, including irregular menstrual cycles, cramps, acne, and weight changes.

There has been little research into the side effects of stopping birth control, but anecdotal reports suggest that some people experience health problems and physical changes.

Stopping birth control can have different effects on different people. Below you will find out what stopping entails, what problems to expect, and how to deal with them.

Share on Pinterest A person may experience a change in their menstrual cycle when they stop using contraception.

Stopping any form of hormonal contraception removes external sources of progesterone or progesterone and estrogen. This changes the level of these hormones in the body, which can cause temporary side effects.

When a person stops using hormonal contraception, the likelihood of pregnancy increases.

Several studies have shown that after a person stops taking contraception, the ability to conceive is delayed for the first few months.However, research shows that, in general, contraceptive use does not adversely affect fertility.

Learn more about how to get pregnant after stopping birth control.

Always consult your doctor before stopping contraception. They can advise you to do it correctly and safely.

In most cases, it is easy to stop contraception. If a person is on the contraceptive pill, they simply do not take more pills, regardless of whether or not they have finished their pack.A person with NuvaRing can remove it on their own.

For someone with an internal device such as an implant, it requires a little medical procedure to terminate it.

Removing an IUD

Removing an intrauterine device (IUD) is usually painless, but can be uncomfortable.

If an IUD has inserted itself into the uterus, the doctor may use a hysteroscope to see the problem.

Some people have bleeding or spotting after the procedure.

In some cases, after removal of the IUD, a person develops fever, chills, or heavy bleeding. In this case, the person should immediately seek medical attention.

Learn more about IUD removal here.

Informal reports indicate that stopping hormonal contraception can cause:

Some of these effects, such as changes in the menstrual cycle, may be longer.

For example, doctors have described “postpillary amenorrhea.”This applies to a person who does not have a period immediately after stopping the birth control pill. It can take several months for your normal menstrual cycle to return.

Women who stop using the IUD may experience bleeding, spotting, or painful cramps after removal.

In addition, some people have reported a phenomenon called “Mirena Failure” after removing the device. It is associated with longer lasting psychological, neurological and physical problems.At the moment, no research has been conducted on this matter.

Clinical trials have yet to investigate the side effects of discontinuing hormonal contraception. Specific effects may depend on the type of birth control and factors specific to each individual.

Like the side effects of hormonal contraceptives, the side effects of stopping them are temporary and most of them disappear over time without treatment.

The best approach is to treat each one individually, for example by applying cold compresses to a sore, painful chest or taking pain relievers for headaches.

Anyone concerned about weight change after stopping hormonal contraception can follow dietary and physical activity recommendations to maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

For example, the Diet Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020. Activity and diet targets are clearly defined for people by age group.

Once a person stops using hormonal contraception, their menstrual cycle may return to what it was before the medication was started.

If a person has had heavy periods and PMS before starting hormonal contraception, these problems may return after the medication is stopped.

Learn how to manage heavy periods.

Side effects from stopping birth control disappear over time, although they may last longer in some people. If any side effects persist, see your doctor.

It is especially important to consult a doctor if your period does not return within 6 months after you stop taking hormonal contraception.If this happens, the person may need treatment to get the cycle back to regularity.

After removal of the IUD, a person should receive immediate medical attention if they experience fever, chills, or heavy vaginal bleeding.

Some people report side effects after stopping hormonal contraception. Although there is very little research on this issue, any side effects can result from changes in hormone levels.

Side effects are temporary and may include acne, weight and mood changes. Removing the IUD can sometimes cause vaginal bleeding, which should go away within a few days.

Other side effects such as fever, chills and heavy bleeding indicate a medical emergency.

Always consult your doctor before stopping hormonal contraception. They can advise on how to do it safely and tell you what to expect.

Stopping Contraception: Side Effects and Remedies

When people stop using contraception, they may experience side effects, including irregular menstrual cycles, cramps, acne, and weight changes.

There has been little research into the side effects of stopping birth control, but anecdotal reports suggest that some people experience health problems and physical changes.

Stopping birth control can have different effects on different people. Below you will find out what stopping entails, what problems to expect, and how to deal with them.

Share on Pinterest A person may experience a change in their menstrual cycle when they stop using contraception.

Stopping any form of hormonal contraception removes external sources of progesterone or progesterone and estrogen. This changes the level of these hormones in the body, which can cause temporary side effects.

When a person stops using hormonal contraception, the likelihood of pregnancy increases.

Several studies have shown that after a person stops taking contraception, the ability to conceive is delayed for the first few months. However, research shows that, in general, contraceptive use does not adversely affect fertility.

Learn more about how to get pregnant after stopping birth control.

Always consult your doctor before stopping contraception. They can advise you to do it correctly and safely.

In most cases, it is easy to stop contraception. If a person is on the contraceptive pill, they simply do not take more pills, regardless of whether or not they have finished their pack. A person with NuvaRing can remove it on their own.

For someone with an internal device such as an implant, it requires a little medical procedure to terminate it.

Removing an IUD

Removing an intrauterine device (IUD) is usually painless, but can be uncomfortable.

If an IUD has inserted itself into the uterus, the doctor may use a hysteroscope to see the problem.

Some people have bleeding or spotting after the procedure.

In some cases, after removal of the IUD, a person develops fever, chills, or heavy bleeding. In this case, the person should immediately seek medical attention.

Learn more about IUD removal here.

Informal reports indicate that stopping hormonal contraception can cause:

Some of these effects, such as changes in the menstrual cycle, may be longer.

For example, doctors have described “postpillary amenorrhea.” This applies to a person who does not have a period immediately after stopping the birth control pill. It can take several months for your normal menstrual cycle to return.

Women who stop using the IUD may experience bleeding, spotting, or painful cramps after removal.

In addition, some people have reported a phenomenon called “Mirena Failure” after removing the device. It is associated with longer lasting psychological, neurological and physical problems. At the moment, no research has been conducted on this matter.

Clinical trials have yet to investigate the side effects of discontinuing hormonal contraception.Specific effects may depend on the type of birth control and factors specific to each individual.

Like the side effects of hormonal contraceptives, the side effects of stopping them are temporary and most of them disappear over time without treatment.

The best approach is to treat each one individually, for example by applying cold compresses to a sore, painful chest or taking pain relievers for headaches.

Anyone concerned about weight change after stopping hormonal contraception can follow dietary and physical activity recommendations to maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

For example, the Diet Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020. Activity and diet targets are clearly defined for people by age group.

Once a person stops using hormonal contraception, their menstrual cycle may return to what it was before the medication was started.

If a person has had heavy periods and PMS before starting hormonal contraception, these problems may return after the medication is stopped.

Learn how to manage heavy periods.

Side effects from stopping birth control disappear over time, although they may last longer in some people. If any side effects persist, see your doctor.

It is especially important to consult a doctor if your period does not return within 6 months after you stop taking hormonal contraception. If this happens, the person may need treatment to get the cycle back to regularity.

After removal of the IUD, a person should receive immediate medical attention if they experience fever, chills, or heavy vaginal bleeding.

90,000 sex after taking a female pathogen

sex after taking a female pathogen

More than 100 studies are known proving the ability of the amino acid to increase libido. One of them has already been mentioned above. In the same work, it was found that L-arginine enhances the sex drive of animals. American scientists from the University of Hawaii and the University of Texas at Austin studied the effects of L-arginine supplementation on women with sexual arousal disorders.It turned out that the substance provides a noticeable increase in libido. And it does it safely. One of the mechanisms by which L-arginine affects sexual arousal is its ability to increase serotonin, the hormone of joy. The latter is known to maintain normal libido in both men and women.

what are the cheap female pathogens and where to find, the female pathogen Kaluga
female pathogen watch for free
female pathogen buy in Gomel
powerful female pathogen in the pharmacy
where to buy the female pathogen in drops

After taking the substance, an increase in mental and physical activity is noted, the work of the sensory systems (sense of smell, vision, hearing) improves.Consumers do not feel fatigue and appetite, although they need more nutrients due to the acceleration of metabolism. Even with the urge to have sex, the consumer simply cannot be adequately aroused. This leads to a sharp change in mood in an aggressive direction, which further exacerbates the condition. In men. If a woman is spinning like a squirrel in a wheel, torn between family and work, or head over heels in the household and raising children, how easy is it for her to remain a passionate lover after washing the dishes and putting the little ones to bed? I sat down with a cup of coffee on the corner of the table, looked into contact or some other social network for a second, and there you’re r-times: Hormonal contraception is a libido killer!When at the reception 20-year-old patients taking the first pack of COCs in their lives complain mournfully to me that their libido is completely zero, I smile sadly. And what to do, anything can happen in life. But after meetings with doctors, after conversations with a wonderful microbiologist Anna Ivanovna Kalmykova, the door to a wonderful world – the world of our microflora – seemed to open for me. The newsletter that you will receive is dedicated to such an intimate topic as the microflora of a woman’s vagina. You don’t really understand the seriousness of a problem when you read about it in a book or magazine, even a scientific one.In order to: understand what role the vaginal microflora plays in maintaining women’s health, let’s turn to an example from life. In our life, there are times when it seems that everything is falling on you at once. After a single dose of sildenafil at a dose of 100 mg, the average maximum plasma concentration of free sildenafil (Cmax) in men is about 18 ng / ml (38 nM). Stax when taking sildenafil inside on an empty stomach is achieved. The volume of distribution of sildenafil at steady state averages 105 liters.The connection of sildenafil and its main circulating N-demethyl metabolite with blood plasma proteins is about 96% and does not depend on the total concentration of the drug. Less than 0.0002% of the sildenafil dose (average 188 ng) was found in semen 90 minutes after taking the drug. Metabolism. After taking it, there is a strong sexual desire and passion. Sex lasts several hours in a row. Heroin. They are used for quick excitement, passion, endurance, but difficulties arise with the achievement of orgasm.After heroin, normal sex is no longer interesting. All these prohibited substances are taken intravenously, in the form of tablets, powders, added to drinks, cocktails, smoking mixtures. They affect the work of the endocrine system, inhibit the synthesis of female sex hormones and increase the content of male hormones, which leads to a coarsening of the voice and the formation of a masculine appearance. Regular drug addiction leads to the development of such pathologies. Buy in Moscow Laveron tablets 500mg No. 1 for women at a price of 270, the online pharmacy is always available Delivery from a warehouse to any Aptstore pharmacy in Moscow and Moscow region around the clock.Individual intolerance to the components of the drug, increased nervous irritability, insomnia, high blood pressure, cardiac dysfunction, severe atherosclerosis, childhood, pregnancy, lactation. Method of administration and dosage. 1 tablet 40-60 minutes before intimate contact (1 hour before meals or 1.5 hours after). In difficult cases, you can take 2 tablets. Storage conditions. In a dry place, at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C. Shelf life. 2 years. Contraceptive pills for women after 40, which ones to take Rigla pharmacies in Moscow – order medicines with delivery to the nearest pharmacy Delivery Quality guarantee Best prices !.The choice of a contraceptive is an important task that a girl faces from the moment she starts having sex and remains relevant for many years. It has been proven that even after the onset of menopause, follicles with eggs remain in the ovaries of a woman, therefore, pregnancy may occur even after the cessation of menstruation. After taking sildenafil, TNF-α immediately decreases, and the level of C-reactive protein decreases [25]. However, along with the anti-inflammatory effect, sildenafil reduces the activity of ciprofloxacin in the treatment of patients with chronic prostatitis complicated by ED [26], this must be taken into account when prescribing therapy to such patients.Patients were prescribed sildenafil 50 mg on demand 1 hour prior to expected intercourse. The second visit to the doctor was scheduled after 2 weeks. therapy for possible dose adjustment. The third, final visit was scheduled after 3 months. from taking the first dose of sildenafil. With a single dose of Viagra in a dose of up to 800 mg, adverse events were the same as when taking the drug in lower doses, but they were more common. The use of a dose of 200 mg did not lead to an increase in the effectiveness of the drug, however, the frequency of adverse reactions (headache, hot flashes, dizziness, dyspepsia, nasal congestion, visual impairment) increased.A single dose of an antacid (magnesium hydroxide / aluminum hydroxide) does not affect the bioavailability of sildenafil. Psychotherapy and sex therapy, which is used only for the so-called psychologically conditioned or psychogenic ED, less often as an auxiliary method for somatic or organic ED. Taking tablets or Viagra tablets for an erection: Cialis, Levitra. It is used as a first-line treatment (first line of therapy) for all forms of organic ED, regardless of its cause.Injection pharmacotherapy or erection on request. Viagra should be taken 1 hour before intercourse, it works up to 4 hours and after taking it, side effects are more frequent compared to newer PDE inhibitors. Exclusively female diseases – adnexitis, salpingitis, endometritis – require a lot of attention of specialists and discipline, adherence to the treatment plan by patients, since all of these pathologies directly affect reproductive function. As with other diseases caused by genitourinary infections, self-medication is unacceptable, and at the first signs of inflammation, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.Treatment is antibiotic therapy aimed at the pathogen: an infection determined after laboratory tests, also taking auxiliary drugs. Sex furniture, swings, gadgets. Vibrators and dildos. Intimate cosmetics and perfumes. Their effectiveness is aimed at strengthening women’s health and normalizing the general condition. We offer a rating of drugs for menopause, based on the opinion of doctors and customer reviews. It is recommended that you consult with a specialist before purchasing medications.Only a doctor can choose the appropriate medication based on the results of the diagnostics performed. Classification of drugs for menopause. Types of drugs used: Hormonal. Modern pharmacotherapy of female sexual dysfunctions. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common problem [1] that manifests itself as impaired desire, arousal, orgasm, or pain, causing personal distress or complicating interpersonal relationships. # 08/09 Key words / keywords: Clinical research, Gynecology, Clinical study, Gynecology.Because the sexual response in women appears to be extremely variable and multifaceted and is complex. Harmony of female hormones. What makes a woman a woman? Of course, hormones. The influence of hormonal levels on the life of the fairer sex is very great. Appearance, behavior, well-being and, finally, the ability to become a mother are all subject to the chemistry of hormones. Which of them play a primary role in the female body – you will learn from our article. What are hormones? Hormones are biologically active substances that are produced by the endocrine glands (endocrine glands) for specific target cells.

female pathogen watch free sex after taking female pathogen

what are the cheap female pathogens and where to find
female pathogen Kaluga
female pathogen watch free
female activator buy in gomel
powerful female pathogen in the pharmacy
where to buy a female pathogen in drops
female activator buy in chelyabinsk
female pathogen chanterelle

where to buy in taganrog female activator
female pathogen most effective in the pharmacy

sex after taking a female pathogen female pathogen buy in gomel

female pathogen buy in Chelyabinsk
female pathogen chanterelle
where to buy in taganrog female pathogen
female pathogen most effective in the pharmacy
female pathogen instructions for use
female pathogen buy in St. Petersburg

Erolax activator allows the fair sex to achieve pleasure when she wants it.The drug has a complex effect on the body. With the advent of EROLAX capsules, I began to prescribe a female pathogen to my patients without fear due to its natural composition and safe effect. If you are not active enough in bed, or your libido does not allow you to get aroused, we suggest visiting our official website of the manufacturer Erolax. On the resource, you can fill out an application for the purchase of an aphrodisiac drug and get competent advice from a specialist.

90,000 Diamine: no periods, scanty, does not stop, strong, delayed

Dimia is one of the latest contraceptive pills intended for women with signs of hyperandrogenism.This is an analogue of Yarina with a reduced concentration of estrogen in each tablet. Dimia is a monophasic oral contraceptive, which means that the hormone content in each serving is the same, with the exception of pacifiers (placebo).

But the functioning of the female reproductive system occurs in cyclical modes. That is why cycle irregularities often occur when using tablets. What to do if there is no period while taking Dimia, when should I see a doctor?

Read this article

Reasons for missing your period

Ideally, when taking birth control pills, the girl should not have any problems or questions.But in practice, one has to deal with the opposite: often there are various disruptions of the cycle, ranging from daub to the absence of menstruation for several months.

In the first month of admission

Dimia, like most popular birth control pills, is a monophasic contraceptive. This has its pros and cons. The advantage is that due to the low concentration of hormones in each tablet, the incidence of side effects is lower. But the woman’s body from the moment of puberty functions cyclically, it is thanks to these processes that the growth and maturation of follicles, the release of the egg, take place.At every minute, the level of hormones fluctuates in one direction or another. Therefore, it is so difficult to treat any violations of their production.

Taking Dimia, the woman’s body gets into new conditions, when the same dose of the hormone is supplied every day. This inhibits the ovarian’s own function. And for some time, there is a habituation to the new regime. For some, it runs without a trace, while others note that when taking Dimia there are no periods.

A similar picture can develop in two cases:

• While taking contraceptives, the girl had no complaints.But menstruation did not come at the right time. You should not worry if the schedule for using the medicine has not been violated, such a reaction of the body is allowed. You should take a break of four days, as expected, and then start the next package. As a rule, things are getting better next month.
• It happens that while taking hormonal contraceptives, a woman has periodic spotting throughout the entire cycle. Sometimes they are quite abundant and bring a lot of anxiety and discomfort.In this case, after taking Dimia, there are scanty periods at the right time, or they do not exist at all. The fact is that the endometrium does not have time to grow due to constant daub. In most cases, everything returns to normal in the second month of admission. If there is no further menstruation, it is imperative to see a doctor.

Dummy pills not accepted

Often girls want to change the length of their menstrual cycle. This can be done by not taking all of the placebo tablets or by skipping them altogether. In this case, there will also be no menses until a placebo is taken.

Lost cycle

You should be aware that menstrual bleeding occurs only when the drug is discontinued. But some girls noticed that against the background of using Dimia, menstruation began earlier than all active pills were finished. This is allowed.

It also happens that women, for some reason, do not finish part of the package, after which they start to scoff. The beginning of such a discharge should be considered the first day of a new cycle.Not knowing this, the girls are waiting for the next menstruation according to the “old” schedule, and are worried when they are not there.

Menstrual cycle is normal

After complete discontinuation of the drug

When they finish the package and decide not to drink hormone pills anymore, many people think that the cycle will be kept on a regular basis. However, this is not always the case. Own hormonal background is restored within 2 – 4 months, sometimes up to six months. During this time, various failures may occur.

Often, after discontinuation of Dimia, there is no period for several months.This happens in the following cases:

• If the woman had irregular periods even before the appointment of hormonal drugs. Indeed, taking pills, the effect is fixed only for the period of treatment, for a maximum of a month or two after the drug is discontinued. Then, your own hormonal background is restored with the same disturbances that were before.
• If a woman has been taking birth control for several years. The longer this method of contraception is used, the more difficult it is for the ovaries to restore their function later.The same applies to age: in young girls, the cycle normalizes faster. You can meet with the fact that there are no menstruation for 3 – 6 months, sometimes longer. In such situations, it is always necessary to contact a gynecologist and be monitored by him until menstruation is restored. Sometimes it is necessary to prescribe additional treatment.

No periods while taking placebo

Some girls believe that as soon as the active tablets in the package are finished and the placebo is started, menstruation should go.And when they are gone for a day or two or even three, they start to worry. It is assumed that menstruation will go within a week after the last active pill. In this case, you should not worry, and after taking a placebo, you should immediately switch to a new package. Every girl should know the main situations while taking Dimia, when menstruation should begin normally. This way you can avoid unnecessary anxiety.

Ovarian depletion

Sometimes, against the background of taking hormonal drugs, there is a complete suppression of the own function of the ovaries, their depletion is noted. The risk of such a situation increases at the following points:

• with long-term continuous intake of hormonal pills;
• if the woman is over 35 years old;
• in the case when ovarian operations were previously performed;
• if this is a multiparous woman.

Having these risk factors, you should pay special attention to the restoration of menstruation. And if this does not happen within two months after the drug is discontinued, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy

Hormonal contraceptives are one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy. However, to achieve this effect, you must strictly follow the rules for taking pills. If you miss even one, the likelihood of unplanned conception increases. Therefore, in all situations when there are no periods on time while taking oral contraceptives, pregnancy should be excluded. This can be done using a regular urine test. But better and more reliable is a blood test for hCG, which shows a 100% valid result already from the 10th day after fertilization, if it happened.

In the case when, against the background of using Dimia, menstruation does not stop, it is also first of all necessary to exclude pregnancy, especially if the schedule for taking the pills is violated.

Watch the video about hormonal contraception:

Why bleeding can start

Menstruation with Dimia tablets is in most cases regular, not abundant, almost painless. They can even take on a smearing character.But it happens that breakthrough bleeding or very heavy menstruation occurs. What is the reason for this? There are several reasons:

• After the abolition of Dimia, strong periods can be in the second or third month, when the body is fully recovering from synthetic hormones. This is especially true if, before the pills, a woman was worried about heavy menstruation.
• If a girl skips dummy pills for several cycles in a row to remove critical days, then at any time she may experience breakthrough bleeding.This is due to the fact that the endometrium constantly grows under the influence of estrogens and gestagens, but is not rejected – for this it is necessary to sharply reduce their level, for example, stop drinking or replace with a placebo. In the end, it is so wide that it is removed on its own, this is manifested by profuse bleeding. Moreover, even a single skip of a placebo increases the risk of spotting and even heavy discharge in addition to critical days.
• In the case when Dimia is prescribed not according to indications, and the woman may lack a dose of the hormone.In this case, bleeding will not be critical.
• If a girl missed more than two pills, then the risk of developing profuse discharge from her over the next five days increases dramatically. This is menstrual bleeding. In such a situation, it is better to stop taking the old pack and start the next one after a four-day break.
• In the first month of admission, if the use of the tablets is started after childbirth or termination of pregnancy at any time, breakthrough bleeding also occurs.As a rule, all violations disappear in the second or third month of admission.

What to do

What to do if your period after taking Dimia did not come on time? The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• For reliability and reliability, a urine pregnancy test should be done first. But it is even better to take a blood test for hCG, it shows a reliable result already from the 10th day after fertilization, if it happened. If all signs point to pregnancy, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away.
• If your period is not yet only a couple of days after the active pills, you should not worry, most likely they will go in a few days. Allowed time up to a week.
• In the event that menstruation did not come in some month, especially at the beginning of the intake, and there are no signs of pregnancy, most likely this is an adaptation of the body to synthetic sex hormones. It is necessary to continue taking it strictly according to the instructions. The absence of bloody discharge for more than 2 – 3 cycles is a significant reason to see a doctor.Most likely, hormonal drugs will have to be canceled for a while in order to restore ovarian function.
• If your period does not come when you skip the placebo pills, it should be so. But when, after the complete cancellation of Dimia, the delay in menstruation is more than three months, especially in women after 35 years, you should immediately consult a doctor. There is a possibility that the ovary supply is depleted. In situations like this, it is sometimes necessary to take hormone replacement therapy until the age of menopause.

We recommend reading the article on menstruation when taking Jess.From it you will learn about the effect of the drug and the features of its administration, the effect of pills on menstruation, the likelihood of getting pregnant when using Jess.

Dimia is one of the most popular and modern contraceptive drugs, an analogue of Yarina. With its help, it is possible to carry out not only protection against pregnancy, but also treatment – it has an antiandrogenic and mineralocorticoid effect. While taking the drug, various violations of the menstrual cycle may occur, especially if there were errors in the application.

It happens that after Dimia there is no menstruation for more than one cycle, or there are smearing and sometimes profuse bleeding of a different nature.