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What is the pill?

Two versions of the Pill

Mini-Pill

Continuous/Extended Cycle Pills

Side Effects of Birth Control Pills

What is the pill?

The Pill is a term for the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), which is a form of birth control.  It contains both estrogen and progestogen (progesterone), two types of hormones critical to the menstrual cycle.  

By using this medication, and the hormones inside it, it prevents ovulation (the release of the egg from the ovary) so that pregnancy does not occur.  It also weakens the lining of the uterus so that an egg is less likely to be implanted. 

Remember, speak with your doctor and go through the risks and benefits of any medication or treatment before use.

Two versions of the Pill

There are two versions of this pill: the 28-day pack and the 21-day pack.  

The 28-day pack contains 21 active pills and 7 non-hormone pills.  The 7 non-hormone* pills are there to help you keep a routine when taking these pills. The non-hormone pills (also known as placebo or reminder pills) also allow you to have your period.  Your period during this non-hormone week may be lighter and less painful than your regular periods.  

The 21-day pack contains only active pills.  Normally, when finishing the 21-day pack, the next pack is used after waiting 7 days, during which your period will have started.   In some cases, with a doctor’s approval, the 21-day pills are used continuously without waiting 7 days in between 21-pill packs.  This is sometimes prescribed for those who have hormonal imbalances that interfere with quality of life and prefer to reduce or skip their periods.  

*The placebo pills are often a different colour from the other pills.

There’s also a “Mini-Pill”

There is another type of birth control pill called the progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POCP), which contains only progestogen*, and no estrogen.  These pills were developed for those sensitive to estrogen use. Some POCPs are also known as the “Mini-Pill.”  

Progestogen-only pills prevent pregnancy by:

➤ thinning the uterine lining to prevent egg implantation

➤ thickening cervical mucus to stop sperm

➤ the mini-pill may also stop ovulation, but this is not its primary way of preventing pregnancy

 Mini-pills need to be taken regularly and often at the same time each day.

Choosing the regular pill or the mini-pill will depend on your personal medical history, needs, preference and symptoms.  Your doctor will prescribe what is most suitable for you.

 *Progestin is a synthetic progestogen used in birth control

Continuous/Extended Cycle Pills

Continuous-use birth control is birth control that is taken for a year or longer, with no breaks. When you use active hormones to delay your cycle for this long, you will also not have withdrawal bleeding (“the period” that comes with birth control).

 Extended-use birth control is when you stretch the amount of time for your birth control beyond the usual 21-day length. You will still take breaks during extended-use birth control and will experience withdrawal bleeding.

Side effects of Birth Control Pills

As with any medication or treatment, side effects may happen with birth control pills.  

Some common side effects include:

➤ headaches

➤ nausea

➤ sore, swollen breasts

➤ vaginal spotting (bleeding)

➤ lighter periods

➤ mood changes

Some rare, but serious side effects include:

➤ belly pain

➤ chest pain

➤ severe headaches

➤ blood clots

➤ blurred vision

Some people should not take birth control pills.  Pills are not recommended for women over the age of 35 who smoke.  They are also not recommended for those with certain conditions, including those who have had blood clots, have had breast or uterus cancers, or have uncontrolled blood pressure, migraines or liver disease.  

Always consult your doctor before taking birth control.

  For more information:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/17707-minipill

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/in-depth/womens-health/art-20044044

What is the “Pill?”

The Pill is a term often used to describe the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), which is a form of birth control.  It contains both estrogen and progestogen, two types of hormones critical to the menstrual cycle.   By using this medication, and the hormones it houses, it prevents ovulation (the release of the egg from the ovary) so that pregnancy does not occur.  It also weakens the lining of the uterus so that an egg is less likely to be implanted. 

There are two versions of this pill: the 28-day pack and the 21-day pack. 

The 28-day pack contains 21 active pills and 7 non-hormone pills.  The 7 non-hormone pills serve to help you keep a routine when taking these pills and allow you to have your “period”.  Your period during this non-hormone week is not a true period but a withdrawal response to the birth control.  The birth control period may be lighter and less painful than your regular periods. 

The 21-day pack contains only active pills and you are expected to remember to not take any pills for the 7 days after.  However, the 21-day pack is sometimes prescribed to those who need to skip their period for medical reasons. 

Birth control pills are a popular option for contraception, but there are some reasons why you may not be able to take the usual combined contraceptive pill. You may still be able to use a pill for contraception, but your doctor might recommend using the progestogen only pill or mini pill instead.

1. You Want to Change from the Combined Pill: If you have been experiencing side effects such as headaches, nausea, or an increase in your blood pressure while taking the combined contraceptive pill, but you still want to use an oral contraceptive, you may be able to switch to progestogen only birth control pills. However, some of the initial side effects of the combined pill will go away once your body gets used to it, so your doctor may recommend sticking with the combined pill for a few months before making the decision to change.

2. You Can’t Take Oestrogen: The combined contraceptive pill contains both oestrogen and progestogen, two hormones that can help you to avoid getting pregnant. Although most women will be able to take the combined pill, there are some women who should avoid oestrogen. Your doctor may recommend the progestogen only pill instead if you have high blood pressure, you suffer from migraines, you are overweight, you have had problems with blood clots in the past, or if you smoke and you are over the age of 35. These are all factors that can increase the risk of side effects such as blood clots if you take a pill containing oestrogen. The progestogen only pill doesn’t’ contain any oestrogen, so it is a safer option if you are in one of these risk groups.