The combined oral contraceptive pill contains two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month to prevent pregnancy. The pill also thickens the mucus in the womb, preventing the sperm from entering. It is 99.7% effective in preventing pregnancy.
How does the combined pill work?
The combined pill is taken at the same time every day or within a 24-hour time window. The pill works well at preventing pregnancy when used effectively. However, irregular usage or missing a dose can cause the tablet to work less effectively. Vomiting or diarrhea can also render the tablet ineffective.
It is recommended to start the first pill pack when you are on your period. This allows for protection against pregnancy straight away. Starting the tablets at any other time of the month is still possible, only means it will take 7 days to begin protecting against pregnancy. Thus, an additional contraception method must be used if a couple is sexually active during that time.
The combined contraceptive pill does not protect against sexually transmissible infections (STIs), and individuals may want to ask their partners to use condoms for added protection.
Types of combined oral contraceptive pill
There are many types of pills with different strengths and pack sizes. Discussing with your doctor about your health will determine the best pill for you. The pill usually comes in a packet of 28 tablets. The packs either have 21 hormone tablets with 7 non-hormone tablets or 24 hormone tablets and 4 non-hormone tablets. The monthly cycle usually occurs during the taking of non-hormonal tablets and is designed to help with the routine regimen.
Some combinational pills have a certain number of tablets with higher hormone content and others with lower. However, some packs have a consistent hormone strength throughout the month. These are called monophasic, biphasic, or triphasic.
- Monophasic birth control pills have the same amount of oestrogen and progesterone in each active pill. The hormones are consistent and less likely to cause side effects.
- Biphasic birth control pills change the progesterone level, with the oestrogen remaining the same. During the middle of the cycle, the progesterone levels increase to higher levels.
- Triphasic birth control pills contain three different doses of hormones, so the changes occur approximately every 7 days.
What to do when I miss a pill?
If you are less than 24 hours late in taking a pill, take it as soon as you remember and take the next pill at the usual time. If it’s been more than 24 hours late or you may have missed more than one pill, take the pill you remember and the next one when it’s due. However, you must use another form of additional protection for the next 7 days to avoid pregnancy.
If you have less than seven hormone pills left in the pack, continue to take the hormone pill and go straight to the next pack. If you miss more than one pill in the first 7 days of a new pack or start a new pack late, and have been sexually active, you should consider an emergency contraceptive pill. These are available from your local pharmacies.
The cost of the oral contraceptive pill
The combination pills containing levonorgestrel and norethisterone are on the PBS, so the out-of-pocket expense is around $20 for the four-month pack, whereas newer versions of pills can cost $120.
Do oral contraceptives cause weight gain?
A review of 44 studies suggested no evidence of birth control pills causing weight gain in most women. In rare cases, women may gain weight as a temporary side effect of fluid retention but not extra fat.
The contraceptive pill, though it does not directly cause weight gain, can increase appetite in some people. Consequently, if your diet involves heavily processed, fatty food and limited exercise, this could potentially lead to weight gain.
Combined oral contraceptive health benefits
The combined contraceptive pill has other benefits apart from effective contraception. When on the pill, periods become less painful, bleeding is lighter and more regular, with fewer symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In some women, Acne may also improve if on the pill.
Combined contraceptive pill side effects
The oral contraceptive pill is tolerable by most but has common side effects. Irregular bleeding between periods, tender breasts, and nausea are common in the first couple of months.
Other side effects, such as headaches, bloating, less desire for sex, and feeling irritable (mood changes) are rare side effects.
Combined contraceptive pill contraindications
Females with a history of deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the vein), heart attack, or stroke. There are conditions that make one more prone to blood clots, certain types of migraines, and severe liver problems. These hormone pills should not be used in women with breast cancer.
These pills are not for you if you have unusual bleeding, if you are breastfeeding, or have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease. Individuals with a BMI of 35 or more or those who may be immobile for some time, like after surgery or a procedure.
Other contraception options
There are other options, such as the progestogen-only pill, which is given to women who cannot take oestrogen. It needs to be taken within the same three hours every day. The emergency pill is taken after you have unprotected sex without contraception. It can be obtained without a prescription. There are other options such as implants, depot injections, and intrauterine devices.
Consult
When deciding on any sort of contraception, it is important to discuss with your doctor any concerns, questions, or preexisting conditions you may have. Most methods of contraception need a doctor’s prescription so they can best advise you on the options that are right for you.
