Drug of the Month: Birth Controls
by May Wong

You may have heard of a friend who have taken birth control pills before, or heard about it from health educators, but did you know that there are different kinds of birth controls? Birth controls are commonly prescribed at pharmacies, so read on for more information about the four types of birth controls.

 

the PILL (e.g. Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yasmin)

Main ingredient: Yasmin Drospirenone (progestin)
How it works:

  • Suppresses ovulation with synthetic estrogen and progesterone which causes the ovaries to not release an egg;
  • causes the cervical mucus to thicken, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus;
  • thins the uterine lining to make implantation of a fertilized egg difficult.

How long it lasts: 1 pill / day

Advantages:

  • Periods may be lighter or more regular.
  • Easy to use.
  • Does not harm future fertility.
  • Does not interrupt sex play.
  • May protect against uterine and ovarian cancers.
  • May reduce acne.
  • Can be used for emergency contraception
  • less water retention
  • less premenstrual weight gain
  • fewer PMS and menstrual symptoms

Disadvantages

  • Spotting
  • Mood changes
  • headaches
  • menstrual changes
  • breast tenderness
  • abdominal cramps and bloating
  • nausea
  • vaginal discharge
  • Additionally, combination birth control pill side effects include depression, decrease in libido and weight gain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patch (e.g. Ortho Evra)

Main ingredient: Norelgestromin (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen)
How it works:

  • Suppresses ovulation with synthetic estrogen and progesterone which causes the ovaries to not release an egg;
  • causes the cervical mucus to thicken, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus;
  • thins the uterine lining to make implantation of a fertilized egg difficult.
  • The contraceptive patch prevents a woman from becoming pregnant by slowly and continually supplying the bloodstream with norelgestromin (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen). These hormones are embedded in the sticky layer of the thin beige (other colors, including clear, are currently being researched and developed) adhesive square patch (1¾ inches wide). When adhered to the skin, the patch has to remain in that spot for the 7-day duration.

How long it lasts: 1 patch = 1 week

Advantages:

  • Easy to use

  • Can be worn for three weeks

  • Effects fertility one month at a time.

  • Does not interrupt sex play.

Disadvantages:

  • Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.

  • Raised risk of heart attack and stroke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Injection (Depo-Provera)

Main ingredient: medroxyprogesterone acetate (progesterone)

How it works:

  • Suppresses ovulation with synthetic estrogen and progesterone which causes the ovaries to not release an egg;
  • causes the cervical mucus to thicken, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus;
  • thins the uterine lining to make implantation of a fertilized egg difficult

How long it takes: 1 shot = 3 months

Advantages:

  • Private
  • Effective after 24 hours
  • Does not require regular attention
  • Does not interrupt sex play
  • Has no estrogen
  • May decrease risk for ovarian and uterine cancers
  • Women can start Depo Provera 6 weeks after giving birth

Disadvantages:

  • Causes loss of bone density and risk of osteoporosis.
  • Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
  • Requires injections every 3 months.
  • Delay of return to fertility.
  • Irregular bleeding.
  • Most women experience weight gain.
  • absence of menstruation during the first year of use, irregular periods.
  • Other side effects include: change in menstruation (may be lighter or heavier; shorter or longer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) (e.g. Nuva Ring, Mirena)

How it works:

  • The contraceptive ring is a small polymer ring that is inserted into the vagina for three weeks. It uses the same hormones as the patch to prevent pregnancy. The ring must be removed for one week, when a woman menstruates — during that time, a woman is still protected. After her period has finished, a new ring can be inserted.

  • Both types of IUDs primarily work in the same fashion: by preventing the fertilization of an egg. While experts aren't exactly sure how, it is suspected that the IUD alters the movement of an egg or sperm making conception difficult. However, ovulation still occurs when you use an IUD.

  • IUDs that contain hormones also work

How long it takes: 1 ring = 1 month

Advantages:

  • Easy to use.
  • Can be worn for three weeks.
  • Effects fertility one month at a time.
  • Does not interrupt sex play.
  • lighter and shorter menstrual periods with fewer cramps.
  • Decreased PMS symptom
  • Decrease in the appearance of acne
  • Some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease and etopic pregnancy
  • Decreased risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers

Disadvantages:

Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.

  • Raised risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Yeast infection
  • Increased vaginal discharge or irritation
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Weight gain
  • Nausea
  • Spotting or breakthrough bleeding
  • Headaches
  • Tender breasts
  • Mood swings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu

http://www.familydoctor.org

http://www.epigee.org