The Pill Birth Control Pros And Cons – Clinically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO – Kimberly Holland and Brenna Mona – Updated July 3, 2023
There are several types of birth control pills, including low-dose, extended-cycle pills, and conventional pills. And there are many brands of each type. Talk to your doctor to understand the benefits and risks and what is right for you.
Table of Contents
- The Pill Birth Control Pros And Cons
- Low Dose Birth Control: Effectiveness, Risks, And Side Effects
- Low Dose Birth Control: Types, Advantages And Side Effects
- Birth Control Implant: Advantages And Disadvantages
- Why Millennial Moms Are Ditching The Birth Control Pill
- Combined Pill Benefits
- Long Acting Reversible Contraception: Effectiveness And More
- The Pros And Cons Of The Birth Control Pill
- Yasmin Birth Control Pill: How It Works, The Pros And Cons
- Dilbar Contraception: Find Your Perfect Contraceptive Match!
- Low Dose Birth Control: Pills To Try, Pros And Cons
- Risks And Benefits Of Different Birth Control Methods
The Pill Birth Control Pros And Cons
Millions of Americans use birth control pills each month as a means of contraception or as a way to relieve painful periods. Regardless of your reason for taking birth control, it’s important to talk to your doctor before choosing a brand. They can help you make the best decision for your needs and lifestyle.
Low Dose Birth Control: Effectiveness, Risks, And Side Effects
Here’s a quick primer so you can go to your doctor and be ready to make a decision.
Combination pills contain synthetic types of hormones called estrogen and progesterone. They come in different proportions or combinations of active and inactive ingredients.
The most common type of combined pill contains 21 active pills and 7 inactive pills or 24 active pills and 4 inactive pills. While taking inactive pills you may have bleeding every month just like a normal cycle.
Monophasic pills contain only one phase or level of active hormones. The hormone level remains the same throughout the month with each active pill.
Low Dose Birth Control: Types, Advantages And Side Effects
The level of active ingredients in multiphase tablets varies. Where you are in your cycle determines the level of active ingredients.
If you need shorter periods, your doctor may prescribe extended-cycle or continuous-dose pills. It consists of 84 active tablets and 7 inactive tablets. Generally, if you take this type of pill, you get four periods in a year.
Low-dose pills contain less than 50 micrograms of estrogen per active pill. Low dose pills are ideal if you are sensitive to hormones. They are also a good choice if you are new to birth control.
Although many people have great success with low-dose birth control pills, you may experience more bleeding than high-dose hormones.
Birth Control Implant: Advantages And Disadvantages
Minipills are available in a mixture that contains only progestin and does not contain estrogen. This makes the mini pill great for certain medical conditions and people who are sensitive to estrogen.
Each pill contains the same level of hormone and each pill contains the same active ingredients. Unlike the combined pill, there are no inactive pills. Therefore, you may have periods or skip periods while using these types of birth control pills. The dose of progestin in the minipill is lower than the dose of progestin in any combination pill.
The main difference between combined pills and mini pills is that one contains estrogen and the other does not. There is also a noticeable difference in how each pill affects your body.
Combination pills prevent pregnancy in three ways. First, hormones prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg. Without the egg, there is no sperm fertilization.
Why Millennial Moms Are Ditching The Birth Control Pill
Hormones also cause thick, sticky mucus to form at the cervix. This makes it difficult for sperm to pass through the uterine opening. Some combined birth control pills also thin the lining of the uterus. Without a thick lining, it is difficult for a fertilized egg to attach and develop.
Minipills prevent pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the lining of the uterus. Some mini-pills can also prevent ovulation, but this is not the main function of these progestin-only pills.
Most people can use birth control pills safely and without many symptoms or side effects. However, some people experience these health problems, especially when they start taking the pill.
Birth control pills contain hormones. They are designed to keep your hormone levels stable throughout your cycle. It helps prevent ovulation and reduces the chances of pregnancy.
Combined Pill Benefits
Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause side effects. These fluctuations occur when you start taking the pill, when you delay taking the pill, or when you miss a dose.
Most of these side effects disappear after a few weeks or months of taking the pill. Tell your doctor if you have these health problems even after 3 months of continuous use. You may want to consider other birth control options.
For most people, birth control is safe and effective. Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of side effects. Before you start taking birth control, talk to your doctor about your personal medical history, which medications, if any, should be avoided.
If you are breastfeeding, you may need to consider alternative birth control methods until you stop breastfeeding. The progestin-only minipill may be ideal for some people who are breastfeeding, so talk to your doctor about your options.
Long Acting Reversible Contraception: Effectiveness And More
Talk to your doctor if you’re trying to decide between types of birth control. Each type of pill is effective, but your choices may vary based on your personal health history, lifestyle, and the results you need.
Before visiting your doctor, it’s helpful to have an idea of what type of birth control pill is right for you.
Consider whether you are comfortable using a combination pill that contains more active pills (pills that contain hormones) or whether you want to use minipills, which are progestin-only pills.
Mini pills can help if you can’t eat estrogen. You may or may not have your period with this type of birth control pill, which is another important factor to consider.
The Pros And Cons Of The Birth Control Pill
Weigh the risks and benefits of both types of pills. Once you’ve determined the type of pills you need, your doctor may be able to recommend a brand or two. However, just because a brand works for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you. It’s not uncommon for people to change the type or dosage of birth control pills several times before they find the option that works best for them.
Whether you decide to take the combined pill or the mini pill, take time to adjust and determine how your body responds. Most doctors recommend taking a particular pill for 3 months before switching to another pill.
Tell your doctor if you have side effects that interfere with your daily activities or become problematic. They may recommend that you change the pill.
It depends. You can get free or low-cost birth control pills anywhere in the United States. See our guide here for more information.
Yasmin Birth Control Pill: How It Works, The Pros And Cons
Generally, yes. In most cases, birth control pills require a prescription, which means contacting a doctor, nurse, or Planned Parenthood center. Some states allow you to fill a prescription online or from a pharmacist.
Deciding which is best for you depends on a few factors, such as whether you want to take the pill that contains primarily hormones or whether you feel more comfortable taking the pill without estrogen. Side effects, cost and how your body reacts to each form and brand will vary from person to person.
It has strict collection guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes and medical associations. We avoid using third party references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and up-to-date by reading our editorial policy.
Our experts constantly monitor the health and wellness space and update our articles as new information becomes available. Birth control pills are one of the most widely used contraceptive methods, with millions of women of all ages relying on them monthly.
Dilbar Contraception: Find Your Perfect Contraceptive Match!
However, despite their popularity, some may be surprised to find that birth control pills are less effective than other options available on the market, mainly because of the increased risk of missing a dose. Therefore, a better understanding of the benefits and limitations of the pill can help women use it more effectively or switch to more reliable methods of contraception.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about birth control pills, including types, timing, mechanism of action, and pros and cons, so you know if they’re right for you.
Birth control pills are a type of hormonal birth control method. They contain different doses and combinations of synthetic hormones designed to prevent pregnancy. They are also called oral contraceptives or simply the pill.
The pill may also be prescribed for contraceptive reasons, such as treating irregular periods, relieving premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and alleviating symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Low Dose Birth Control: Pills To Try, Pros And Cons
Regardless of the type, birth control pills are taken the same way: one pill per day, preferably at the same time.
However, the monthly schedule depends on the species, as well as the reproductive needs and health of the woman.
Each pack contains 28 active tablets without placebo. The woman takes one pill a day for four weeks. She may menstruate even in the fourth week. For the minipill to be effective, it must be taken every day at the same three-hour interval.3
Once inside the body, the hormones in oral contraceptives alter the body’s natural hormone levels. Prevents pregnancy by:
Risks And Benefits Of Different Birth Control Methods
The mini pill takes two days and the combination pill takes about seven days to work. If a woman takes
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