Amazing Facts About The Birth Control Pill.

By: KW Webber

Since the arrival of the birth control pill they have now placed themselves in a very commanding position in many family lives. In this article we look at the background of this medication as well as the types of birth control pills that are available.

The terms relating to the birth control pill usually describe a group of drugs used by women in order to avoid getting pregnant. Then in 1955 two scientists introduced the concept of birth control pills when they used progestins for birth control. Before that time of these being introduced many women relied on condoms, diaphragms, sponges and in some family situations avoiding sexual intercourse completely during the time when they were most fertile. Unfortunately having no sexual intercourse had its disadvantages with relating to efficiency (it was very low) compared to other people who tried either the condom, diaphraghm or sponges. But in addition it was discovered that by supplying estrogens to the formula of of these medications made them more efficientin their use.

Let us have a quick look at the types of birth control pills readily available today. Because of the increase in sales of birth control pills there has been extensive research carried out and so there are different kinds of pills which are able to provide protection for the many different and unique populations around the world. In general there are 4 types of birth control pills and alongside these there are certain injections which can be used for longer term birth control. The 4 types of pills we are discovering are as follows:-

1. Combined pills
This type of pill contains both estrogen and progestin and is the most common of the many birth control pills used today. A pill of this type needs to be taken daily and each course contains 28 pills.

2. Phased Regime pills
These pills are seldom used nowadays and will often only be administered to women who are over the age of 35.

3. Minipill
This one is different as it is for women who are unable to take estrogen for some reason as it does not contain any.

4. Postcoital or Emergency Pill
This one will be used in order for a women to stop getting pregnant in situations where they can get pregnant because of unprotected sexual intercourse. A pill like this needs to be administered within 3 days of the woman having unprotected sexual intercourse.

Now, what about some advantages and disadvantages relating to the birth control pill and these are shown below.

Advantages

The pill is said to be about 10 times more effective than other more common methods of birth control. They are also more patient compliant as they should not need to be used only at the time of sexual intercourse.

Disadvantages
Some of the birth control pills can cause definite side effects such as sickness, weight changes, breakthrough bleeding, blood glucose disturbance, mood swings,hypertension, clot formations in a womans leg and lung veins. So it is very important that a woman sits down with her doctor and discusses the best option for her before a solution is prescribed.