Oral Contraceptive Pills
Steroidal Oral Contraceptive Pills are composed of hormones
estrogen and progesterone. They
create an impact on the hormone levels in the body to prevent pregnancy.
Fundamentals of contraception
- All contraceptives work by interfering with any one of the following Circumstances.
- Production of sperm and ovum
- Fusion of sperm and ovum (fertilisation)
- Implantation of fertilised ovum to inner lining of uterus (nidation)
Types of Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs)
There are three categories of OCPs. They are:
Combined Pills
Combined pills contain a combination of two female hormones - Oestrogen and
Progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone primarily
responsible for preventing pregnancy, and the Oestrogen component
controls menstrual cycle.
Combined pills work by:
- Preventing ovulation
- Thickening cervical mucous and preventing sperm penetration
- Preventing the embryo from maturing
- Thinning endometrial thickness, thus preventing implantation.
Progestin - only Pills
Progestin-only pills are aimed at women who should not take Oestrogen. Unlike combined
OCPs, they do not contain Oestrogen, but have Progestin - a hormone that is similar to
the female hormone, Progesterone.
These pills work by:
- Preventing ovulation
- Thickening cervical mucous and preventing sperm from reaching the ovum
- Preventing the embryo from maturing
- Thinning endometrial thickness, thus preventing implantation.
Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) should be used within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse or during the failure of any contraceptive method.
If you miss two or more regular birth control pills, you should also consider taking ECP the morning after.
It cannot be consumed regularly as it has adverse side-effects including ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus) after long term use.
ECP is not a regular contraceptive pill
Disadvantages of Hormonal OCPs
Progestin-only pills can cause blood clot as adverse long-term effect, especially for women
who are over-weight, have high blood pressure and are on bed rest for long periods.
Hormonal OCPs bring with them a lot of side-effects.
Combined pills can cause:
Hormonal OCPs bring with them a lot of side-effects.
Combined pills can cause: