How Does The Pill Stop Pregnancy

Who Can Use The Combined Pill

The combined pill or ‘the pill’: how does it work?

If there are no medical reasons why you cannot take the pill, and you do not smoke, you can take the pill until your menopause. However, the pill is not suitable for everyone. To find out whether the pill is right for you, talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist.

The pill may not be right for you if you:

  • are pregnant
  • smoke and are 35 or older
  • stopped smoking less than a year ago and are 35 or older
  • are very overweight

The pill may also not be right for you if you have :

  • blood clots in a vein, for example in your leg or lungs
  • stroke or any other disease that narrows the arteries
  • anyone in your close family having a blood clot under the age of 45
  • a heart abnormality or heart disease, including high blood pressure
  • severe migraines, especially with aura
  • breast cancer
  • disease of the gallbladder or liver
  • diabetes with complications or diabetes for the past 20 years

What Are The Different Types Of Oral Contraceptive Pills

There are two main types of oral contraceptive pills .

1. Combination pills: These are the most common type of OCPs and contain both estrogen and progesterone. There are several types of combination pills.

  • Monophasic pills are used in one-month cycles and provide the same level of hormones throughout the month.
  • Multiphasic pills are used in one-month cycles and provide different levels of hormones during the cycle.
  • Extended-cycle pills are used in 13-week cycles. Active pills with hormones are taken for 12 weeks and inactive pills are taken during the last week of the cycle. As a result, periods occur only three to four times per year.

2. Progestin-only pills or mini pills: These contain progestin without estrogen. These pills are a suitable option for women who breastfeed, smoke, have a history of blood clots, are older than 35 years old or who cant take estrogen. These pills may cause irregular periods and, at times, stop them.

How Effective Is The Abortion Pill

The abortion pill is very effective. The effectiveness depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy when you take the medicine.

  • For people who are 8 weeks pregnant or less, it works about 94-98 out of 100 times.
  • For people who are 8-9 weeks pregnant, it works about 94-96 out of 100 times.
  • For people who are 9-10 weeks pregnant, it works about 91-93 out of 100 times. If you’re given an extra dose of medicine, it works about 99 out of 100 times.
  • For people who are 10-11 weeks pregnant, it works about 87 out of 100 times. If you’re given an extra dose of medicine, it works about 98 out of 100 times.

The abortion pill usually works, but if it doesnt, you can take more medicine or have an in-clinic abortion to complete the abortion.

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Can You Get Pregnant After Stopping The Pill And Not Having A Period

Not necessarily. Some women dont get their period for a few months after they stop hormonal birth control. Thats because these forms of birth control impact your hormonal balance, and it may take your body a little while to go back to a pre-birth control-state. But you can get pregnant before you have your period.

Period While On The Pill

How To Prevent Pregnancy

There are two types of pills in a 28 day pack the active pill and the placebo pill . Menstrual bleeding occurs when taking the placebo pills as the hormone levels gradually decrease. With a 21 day pack, menstrual bleeding will occur in the 7 days where no pill is being used. This is sometimes referred to as a false or fake period. Normally, a menstrual period occurs when the thickened inner lining of the uterus is shed since pregnancy does not occur. This thickening does not occur when using the pill. Instead the bleeding that occurs during this time is a withdrawal bleed from temporarily stopping the pill. Newer birth control pills known as extended-cycle pills may suppress this bleeding for 3 months or even one year.

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How Does The Pill Work

Before pills could be formulated to modify human ovulation, researchers needed to figure out how the menstrual cycle usually works. The normal cycle consists of several distinct phases that average approximately 28 days in total each phase corresponding to physical changes that occur to build up and break down the uterus in preparation for pregnancy, with ovulation occurring at the midpoint of the cycle. These phases are associated with dramatic changes in the levels of certain hormones that follow carefully scripted roles in promoting ovulation and subsequently menstruation.

The shedding of uterine lining leading to the observed bleeding is the Menstrual Phase. As bleeding ends, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone show small peaks above their normal low levels, leading to thickening of the uterine lining and maturing of oocyte-containing follicles in the ovary. Meanwhile, the estrogen, Estradiol , is steadily rising to a peak a few days before ovulation, after which point FSH and LH spike once more, triggering the release of a mature oocyte. Levels of Progesterone and E rise for the next two weeks, preparing the uterine lining for implantation of an embryo. If no implantation occurs, both hormone levels drop sharply, triggering menstruation. If fertilization and implantation do occur, levels of P and E remain high throughout pregnancy, suppressing the spikes of FSH and LH that drive ovulation.

Birth Control Pill Associated With Depression

A recent study of over 1 million women showed us that there is an 80% increased relative risk of depression in women who use hormonal birth control, a symptom many women have been suspicious of since the pill was introduced to the public.

There has yet to be an extensive study on the long term effects of continuous birth control use and depression.

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Some Side Effects Can Be Serious If You Experience The Following Symptom Call Your Doctor Immediately:

  • severe lower abdominal pain

Levonorgestrel may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .

Are Oral Contraceptive Pills Effective

How soon can one get pregnant after stopping birth control pills? – Dr. Teena S Thomas

When oral contraceptive pills are taken as prescribed, they are 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. When OCPs are missed for one day or not taken at the same time every day, they are 91 percent effective.

Conditions that reduce the effectiveness of OCPs include

Condoms have to be used as a backup during these conditions. Different birth control methods have to be considered. These medications have to be taken long term.

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Dont Use St Johns Wort

St. Johns wort is a popular over-the-counter herbal supplement that can affect liver metabolism. This supplement can interfere with birth controls effectiveness. You could experience breakthrough bleeding and possibly an unplanned pregnancy if you take the two medicines together. Talk with your doctor about any additional measures you should take, including a backup protection method while youre taking St. Johns wort.

Knowing what can make your birth control ineffective and how you can increase your chances for successfully avoiding pregnancy will help you make the best decisions for yourself.

Who Uses Birth Control Pills

Young women who can remember to take a pill each day and who want excellent protection from pregnancy can use birth control pills.

Not all girls can or should use the birth control pill. In some cases, other medical conditions make the use of the Pill less effective or more risky. For example, it is not recommended for those who have had blood clots, certain types of cancers, or some kinds of migraine headaches.

If a girl has high blood pressure that’s under control, she can sometimes use the Pill under a doctor’s supervision. Girls who have had unexplained vaginal bleeding or who think they may be pregnant should talk to their doctor.

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Medications That Interfere With The Pill

Some medications can make the pill less effective. Medications include certain antibiotics, such as rifampicin, and anti-fungal drugs, such as griseofulvin.

A person should use backup contraception while taking these medications and for 48 hours after finishing the course.

Other more long-term medications and supplements may also affect how well birth control pills work. These can include:

  • epilepsy drugs, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine
  • anti-viral medications used to treat HIV
  • St. Johns Wort, which is a herbal remedy

Birth control pills are very effective if a person takes them correctly and does not miss any pill days. The following tips can help prevent unintended pregnancies while taking the pill:

  • reading the packaging and following the instructions carefully
  • taking the pill at the same time every day
  • using an app that tracks periods and provides pills reminders, such as one of the apps from our review article
  • always getting a new pill pack at least 1 week before the last pill pack is due to run out
  • always taking missed pills as soon as possible
  • using a backup method of contraception, such as a condom, if a person misses taking two or more pills in a row

If a person is concerned about not being able to take their pills consistently, they should speak to their doctor or gynecologist about other birth control methods. There are several options available that do not require taking a pill daily, such as an intrauterine device, or IUD.

What Is Good About The Pill

Plan B  Womens choice to prevent the pregnancy
  • It can be used to skip your period if you want to.
  • Periods usually become lighter, more regular, and less painful.
  • Acne can improve.
  • Chance of getting cancer of the uterus and ovaries decreases.
  • It can help with symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis.
  • Once stopped your fertility quickly returns to what is normal for you.

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When Should I Use The Ecp

The ECP is best used within three days after unprotected sex. Some doctors will prescribe it up to five days, but there is less evidence about how well it works then. The sooner you take the ECP, the better it will work. Unprotected sex includes:

  • When no birth control was used.

  • When birth control may have failed. For example:

  • If a condom broke or slipped.

  • If a diaphragm or cervical cap came off, tore or was taken out too early.

  • If you missed taking two or more of your birth control pills or started a new pack three or more days late.

  • If you were late for your birth control shot.

  • When you have been abused, sexually assaulted or raped and are not already using a reliable method of birth control.

  • Although sometimes called the morning-after pill, emergency contraception has been proven to be effective up to three days after intercourse. It does not have to be taken in the morning.

    Oral Contraceptives To Prevent Pregnancy

    Oral contraceptives are hormone pills that prevent pregnancy. It is also known commonly as the birth control pill. Oral contraceptives are able to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation. Without ovulation, the egg cell is not present and can therefore not be fertilized. Hence pregnancy cannot occur. Although oral contraceptives are primarily used to prevent pregnancy, it has several other uses by regulating the levels of female hormones in the body. This makes it useful for treating or at least minimizing the symptoms associated with conditions like acne, polycystic ovarian syndrome and various other causes of menstrual irregularity.

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    After A Miscarriage Or Abortion

    If you have had a miscarriage or abortion, you can start the pill up to 5 days after this and you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start the pill more than 5 days after the miscarriage or abortion, you’ll need to use additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days.

    What Should I Do If I Miss A Pill

    The Progestogen-only pill (POP) or the ‘mini pill’: how does it work?

    Take the missed pill as soon as you remember. Then take your usual daily dose as planned. You should also use a backup form of birth control until you have your period. Call your healthcare provider if you miss several days of the pill. Your provider can discuss pregnancy test and emergency contraception options. It is helpful to keep the package inserts of the available, most will give specific instructions on what to do if there is a missed pill.

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    How Are Oral Contraceptive Pills Taken

    The regimen depends on the type of pill

    • Combination oral contraceptive pills : Combination pills come in packs of 21-, 24- or 28-day cycles. The first pill must be taken on the first day of a womans period. One pill has to be taken every day at the same time. The last seven pills in the packet are a different color. They are either vitamin pills or empty pills. These pills, when taken, allow bleeding to occur.
    • Progestin-only pills or mini pills: Progestin-only pills come in a 28-day pack and must be started on the first day of a womans period. One pill must be taken every day at the same time.
    • Stopping the period: It’s possible to prevent a period by continuously using any birth control pill. This means skipping the placebo pills and starting right away on a new pack. You must consult a doctor before doing this. Amethyst is a combination birth control pill that is the first birth control pill approved by the U.S. Food and Administration for continuous use for 365 days without placebo pills.
    • Missed dose: Individual brands of OCPs come with specific directions to be followed if one or more doses are missed. A backup method of birth control has to be used for seven to nine days or until the end of the cycle to prevent pregnancy.

    How Does The Abortion Pill Work

    Abortion pill is the common name for using two different medicines to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol.

    First, you take a pill called mifepristone. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your bodys own progesterone, stopping the pregnancy from growing.

    Then you take the second medicine, misoprostol, either right away or up to 48 hours later. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty your uterus. Its kind of like having a really heavy, crampy period, and the process is very similar to an early miscarriage. If you dont have any bleeding within 24 hours after taking the second medicine, call your nurse or doctor.

    Your doctor or nurse will give you both medicines at the health center. When and where youll take them depends on state laws and your health center’s policies. Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed directions about where, when, and how to take the medicines. You may also get some antibiotics to prevent infection.

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    Why It Matters Whether Birth Control Stops Ovulation

    For some women, their personal ethics, morality, or religion guide whether they choose a birth control method that inhibits ovulation, fertilization, or the implantation of the fertilized ovum. For those who believe life begins when the egg is fertilized , preventing the release of an unfertilized ovum could be acceptable, but preventing pregnancy after the egg is fertilized might not be acceptable.

    It is common for hormonal birth control to produce all three effects.

    • Ovulation may be prevented by the constant level of synthetic hormones.
    • Progestin keeps the cervical mucus viscous so sperm cannot enter the uterus and fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg.
    • Progestin also keeps the uterine lining in a condition that doesn’t support implantation and nourishment of the fertilized egg.

    Combination hormonal birth control prevents ovulation. Progestin-only birth control can prevent ovulation in about 40% of women, but this is not the main mechanism by which it prevents pregnancyits other effects on the cervical mucus and uterine lining act to prevent pregnancy if ovulation occurs.

    How Do Birth Control Pills Works

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    If the egg released from the ovary gets fertilized with the sperm, the woman gets pregnant. The fertilized egg then starts receiving nutrition and develops into a fetus.

    All these functions are controlled by different female hormones. The birth control contraceptives work by disturbing the production and release of the hormones to terminate the pregnancy.

    Hormonal contraceptives contain a small amount of man-made estrogen and progestin hormones which disturbs a womans reproductive cycle.

    They work through a combination of factors to make that happen.

    • The hormonal contraceptives would stop the uterus from producing an egg.
    • The Hormonal contraceptives also change the cervical mucus and make it thicker which prevents sperm from getting to the eggs.
    • Another effect that Hormonal contraceptives have are, they change the lining of the womb so that the fertilized egg does not get implanted into it which prevents it from turning into a fetus.

    Birth control pills are taken on a daily basis or as recommended by the doctor to prevent pregnancy. Generally, a woman takes the different combination of Birth Control pills to make sure the pregnancy gets terminated.

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