Types of Birth Control Pills

Progestin-only pills (POP):

     This type of pill is called the mini-pill and is well-suited for women who are breastfeeing because this pill has no estrogen, and estrogen reduces milk production.  These pills thicken the cervical mucus, keeping the sperm from entering into the uterus.  These types of birth control pills must be taken at the same time once a day every day.

     There are advantages and disadvantages to POPs.  Some advantages include a decrease in the amount of menstrual blood loss and menstrual cramps and pain.  It is ideal for breast-feeding women, and it is good for women who cannot use estrogen.  Additionally, it can be reversed easily as the woman can stop taking these pills at any time.  Disadvantages include that it can be difficult for some women to remember to take the pill every day at the same time of the day.  It also does not offer any protection against sexually transmitted diseases.  Women report having irregular bleeding patterns or spotting at different times of their cycle.  It also can be just a little less reliable than a combination of oral contraceptives.

     Additionally, there are some side effects to the progestin-only pills.  Some women suffer from irregular or heavy periods, while some have an absence of a monthly period.  Other women suffer from abdominal pain or headaches.

Combination Pills:

     Most people who take a "birth control pill" are taking an oral contraceptive that contains both estrogen and progestin.  There are several types of combination pills.  The monophasic pill has 21 pills that are active for the month.  The additional seven pills are just placebos.  There is a new 91 day combination pill called Seasonale that is taken for 12 weeks followed by seven days of the placebo tablet.  Instead of having a menstrual cycle once a month, the result of this pill is that women will only menstruate about once every three months.  The second type of combination pills is called the multiphasic pills.  This type of oral contraceptive has a varied amount of hormones to be taken at different times of the month.  The levels of estrogen and progestin vary throughout the month.  This variation was developed in order to prevent bleeding, spotting, and missed periods.  The third type of combination pill, the continuous use pill, comes in a 28 day pack and is taken nonstop without a break in between packs of pills.  Lybrel is an example of a continuous use birth control pill, and you shouldn't have a period if you are taking this pill; yet you may still have some spotting throughout the month, especially at the beginning.

     There are several advantages and disadvantages to taking combination pills.  In fact, the advantages truly seem to outweigh the disadvantages.  Combination pills decrease menstrual blood loss, decrease pain and cramps, and cause less severe PMS symptoms.  Your cycle will become more regular as a result and you will even find that if you have acne, it will be improved.  Combination pills also reduce the risk of getting endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer.  Ectopic pregnancies are prevented and you will have less risk of ovarian cysts.  Combination pills prevent bone density loss in women, improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis for those who suffer from it, and treats PMDD for those who suffer from it.  Additionally, combination pills will support low cholesterol, decrease your chances of having breast cysts, and will allow you to become pregnant again if you decide to stop taking the pills.  Disadvantages include that it may lead to the formation of gallstones and rare benign liver tumors.  It also could cause women to have nausea, vomiting, or headaches.  Finally, a very small number of women may develop hypertension or get blood clots as a result.  There are also a few side effects that can result from combination pills.  They may include weight gain or weight loss, breast tenderness or increased breast size, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP):

     Emergency Contraceptive Pills are different from the others because they are not intended as regular use birth control pills.  Instead, they are meant to prevent pregnancy if unprotected sex occurred and the women is at risk for pregnancy.  Plan B has been approved by the FDA  which will be able to be purchased by women behind pharmacy counters if they are over age 18.  Plan B requires the woman to take two doses.  The first dose needs to be taken within the first 72 hours after having unprotected sex.  The second dose of Plan B needs to be taken 12 hours later.  Plan B has been found to be effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, but it is recommended that it be taken quickly for better results.

     There are advantages and disadvantages to using Emergency Contraceptive Pills.  The clear advantage of taking an Emergency Contraceptive Pill is that it will reduce the chance that the woman will become pregnant.  Additionally, Plan B can now be obtained easily over the pharmacy counter as long as the woman is at least 18 years old.  A woman also can purchase Plan B in advance in case of an emergency, rather than having to rush to buy it after the unprotected sex.  The disadvantage is that Plan B must be taken within 120 hours of when the unprotected sex occurred.  Some side effects to Plan B include the woman becoming vomiting or experiencing nausea, being dizzy, having a headache, or feeling fatigue.  It also may disrupt the regular menstrual cycle and cause an earlier or later period.  It can lead to lighter or heavier bleeding during that menstrual cycle.  Also, the woman may experience some abdominal pain and some tenderness in her breasts.

     There are several benefits to taking birth control pills.  First, they help prevent pregnancy.  Second, they typically will improve a woman's menstrual cycle by causing less bleeding, more regular cycles, less cramping and abdominal pain, a decrease in PMS symptoms, protection from ovarian and uterine cancer, improved bone density, and will reduce chances of developing ovarian cysts.  While all these benefits are great, there are also some risks.  Remember to speak to your doctor to see what kind of risks may apply to you.  Now you have some information about different types of contraceptive pills, but remember to speak with your doctor about what you think is best for you.