Birth control pill or oral contraceptives; They are oral drugs with a specific usage pattern, in which the sex hormones and derivatives that play an important role in the female body are used. Although its widely known function in the society is to be used in family planning, it also has a therapeutic use in various hormonal and gynecological diseases. Birth control pills are divided into different classes according to their contents and types of use.
What are the Types of Birth Control Pills?
Birth control pills are divided into the following types according to the purpose of use, preferred use and the contents of the drugs:
Combined Pills
Combined oral contraceptives, which are widely used in the community, are one of the most preferred methods for family planning. It contains synthetic estrogen and progesterone hormones. Since different effects can be obtained in the body according to the pharmacological properties of these synthetic hormone derivatives in its content, different combined pills may be preferred depending on the condition of the person.
Monophasic pills
It is defined as monophasic when the ratios of the hormones in its content are determined equally in each pill. It is used in monthly cycles. At the end of the month, menstrual bleeding occurs. In our country, only monophasic combined birth control pills are used.
Multiphasic pills
When the hormone content in each pill in the box varies, it is called multiphasic. It is used in monthly cycles. At the end of the month, menstrual bleeding occurs.
extended cycle pills
Depending on the hormones it contains, the cycle time has been extended up to 12 weeks. For this reason, the person uses the pills for 12 weeks and sees menstrual bleeding 3 to 4 times a year.
Progesterone Only Pills
These are pills that contain only synthetic progesterone derivatives. Also known as minipill. It is especially preferred in women who cannot use estrogen for health reasons and when postpartum protection is aimed. It should be used at the same time every day.
Emergency Contraception
Birth control pills, also known as the morning after pill, are used to provide birth control after unprotected sex. These pills contain high doses of progesterone derivatives. To be effective, it must be used within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex.
How Do Birth Control Pills Work?
The menstrual cycle is one of the most important physiological events in the female body. This cycle lasts between 21-35 days in healthy women, on average 28 days. The most important mechanism in ensuring the 28-day cycle is the balance of the sex hormones produced. Accordingly, in women with a 28-day cycle, in the first 14 days from the start of menstrual bleeding, the preparation phase for the release of reproductive cells from the ovary (ovulation) and thickening of the inner surface of the uterus after bleeding occurs; In the remaining 14 days, the process of preparing the uterine wall for possible fertilization takes place. While the estrogen hormone is responsible for the effect in the first 14 days, the dominant hormone in the remaining 14 days is progesterone. If pregnancy does not occur at the end of 28 days, menstrual bleeding occurs with the decrease in the amount of progesterone.
Thanks to the synthetic hormones in the birth control pills, it ensures that the hormone balance is established in order for the cycle to occur correctly in women who do not have a healthy menstrual cycle. When used for birth control, it affects the hormone balance and prevents the ovulation mechanism that occurs at the end of the first 14 days of the cycle. In this way, even when the sperm reaches the female reproductive system, since ovulation does not occur, fertilization does not occur and birth control is provided.
In addition to this mechanism; In particular, birth control pills containing only progesterone thicken the cervix, preventing the passage of sperm and thinning the inner wall of the uterus, preventing the fertilized cell from attaching to the uterus in a possible pregnancy. Thanks to these mechanisms, unwanted pregnancies are prevented.
How to use the birth control pill?
The contraceptive pill has its own unique uses, depending on the type preferred. Combined oral contraceptives, which are frequently preferred in the society, are designed in accordance with the 28-day menstrual cycle. For this reason, a monthly box of these drugs usually contains 21 to 28 pills. While all pills contain active drug in 21-pill versions; In those who are 28 days old, the first 21 pills contain active drug, the remaining 7 pills are ineffective. According to this; After starting the active drug in terms of menstrual bleeding; As of the 21st day, the intake of ineffective drugs is continued and menstrual bleeding occurs on the last day of the cycle.
Progesterone-only pills are taken at the same time each day for an entire cycle. In this way, menstrual bleeding occurs regularly as long as the drug use continues. It is important that drug use is continuous and regular; otherwise, the contraceptive effect of the drug may be weakened and It is possible to have unplanned pregnancies.
What Are the Benefits of Birth Control Pills?
Oral contraceptives can be used for various health effects besides family planning. It can play an important role especially in the treatment and prevention of gynecological diseases. Its benefits in various fields can be listed as follows:
Provides easy and effective birth control. Accordingly, unintended pregnancy rates decrease up to 0.3% in couples who prefer only the birth control pill method.
It is the most preferred method of regulating the menstrual cycle.
It reduces bleeding in menstrual bleeding that results in large amounts of bleeding.
It helps to reduce pain in painful menstrual period.
It is useful in relieving the symptoms of restlessness before menstruation.
It is effective in controlling the symptoms in the premenopausal period.
It is protective against osteoporosis by increasing the bone mineral ratio.
It shows protective properties against ovarian cysts and tumors.
It reduces the risk of developing ovarian and uterine cancer.
It is useful in eliminating acne and hair growth complaints.
It provides a reduction in complaints related to endometriosis (chocolate cysts).
It reduces the frequency and complaints of uterine fibroids.
It is protective against benign breast diseases such as fibrocyst development.
What are the side effects of birth control pills?
In addition to the various benefits of birth control pills, there is a risk of developing various side effects with regular use. It is inconvenient for women with certain health problems to use birth control pills. For this reason, the decision to use birth control pills should be taken together with the physician as a result of the evaluation of a specialist physician. If birth control is aimed at risky people, other methods should be preferred.
It may be inconvenient for people with the following conditions to use birth control pills:
The first 6 weeks in postpartum lactating women; first 3 weeks in non-breastfeeding mothers
Women over 35 who smoke at least 15 cigarettes a day
Hypertension patients
Those who complain of clotting in the leg veins (history of venous thromboembolism)
People with ischemic heart disease
People with a history of stroke or cerebrovascular disease
People with heart valve disease
Migraine patients with aura
Those with breast cancer
Diabetes patients with ongoing or advanced organ damage for 20 years
Those with severe cirrhosis
Those with liver tumors (adenoma or hepatoma)
Those who have undergone major surgery that will cause prolonged immobility
People with diseases that cause blood clotting tendency
In addition, birth control pills have various side effects. Common side effects in people after use can be listed as follows:
Changes in the menstrual cycle
Nausea
weight gain
mood changes
breast tenderness
Headache
If the side effects progress and do not decrease, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor.