THE
PILL (OCP)
History:
Also
known as the oral contraceptive pill (OCP), the birth control
pill was developed in the late 60's and played a key role
in the Sexual Revolution. The Pill contain synthetic
either estrogen and progesterone or progesterone alone (the
progesterone only or minipill). Estrogen and progesterone
are hormones naturally produced by the ovaries. One
pill is taken every day.
How
It Works:
As you recall, a woman's hormone levels rise and fall
in the course of her menstrual cycle. These changing levels
allow the release of an egg. Taking the Pill at a certain
time every day without fail keeps these hormone levels at
a steady level, and no egg is released. The "certain time
every day" part is important as this is what keeps the levels
very steady.
A
pack of OCPs will usually contain 28 pills - one per day.
The first 21 pills contain hormones. The remaining 7 pills
are placebo pills which contain no active ingredients and/or
iron. During these last 7 days of a pill cycle, the
woman will menstruate (usually 2-5 days) due to the drop
in hormone level in the blood. After the 7 days are
over, the woman starts with a new pack.
A
woman can start taking the Pill on a certain day (usually
Sunday) immediately after her menstrual period, or on any
Sunday. If she starts just after her period, she will
theoretically be protected against pregnancy from day one,
but should still use a back-up method (condoms and foam)
for the first week (though some doctors suggest using a
back-up method the entire month). If she starts on
any Sunday, she will not be fully protected against pregnancy
for the first month and should definitely use a back-up
method during the first month of pills.
There
are many types of OCPs; your doctor or health care provider
can help choose the right one for you. The most common
pills prescribed are the low dose (lower levels of hormones)
pills such as Ortho-Novum 1/35 or 7/7/7, Triphasil, Lo/Ovral,
Tri-Levlin,and many others.
Common
Questions:
What if I miss a dose
Doctors
generally recommend that if you miss one pill, you should
take the missed pill as soon as you remember, and take the
next pill at the usual time, AND USE A BACKUP METHOD (e.g.,
condoms + spermicide) FOR the remainder of your cycle.
If
you miss more than 1 pill, you should consult your doctor
for advice on how to proceed. If
you miss a pill AND miss a period, you may be pregnant.
Go see your doctor for a pregnancy test.
What
if I want to get pregnant after stopping the Pill?
Almost all women can get pregnant within a year of stopping
the pill. Most can get pregnant within a couple of months.
Does
the Pill increase my chances of breast cancer?
This has not been conclusively proven and most experts fell
the pill will not increase your risk of future breast cancer
unless you have a previous history of breast cancer. (The
pill has been shown to reduce your chance of ovarian and
endometrial cancers.)
Who
Should and Should Not use it:
-
DO
NOT use the Pill if you are over 35 and smoke, even
if you are trying to quit. Though the actual risk is
low, smoking
and the pill can be a deadly combination and women
who do both are at a relatively high risk of developing
blood clots in their veins which can travel to their
heart and lungs and cause sudden death! Even woman
younger than 35 years old can die this way, so be sure
your doctor knows you smoke if you are on the pill.
-
If
you have a personal or family history of blood clots,
stroke, heart or liver problems, strong family history
of breast cancer, unexplained bleeding from your vagina,
or migraine headaches, tell your doctor before you start
on the pill. Though most people with this medical
history can take the pill, it is important for your
doctor to know and inform you of the potential risks.
-
If
you have a hard time remembering to take medications,
don't choose this method, because you may forget to
take this too!
-
IMPORTANT:
If you are taking the pill and have difficulty breathing,
chest pain, leg pain, headache or eye problems, see
your doctor right away.
Summary
of The Pill
| Effectiveness
(Failure Rate) |
Typical
Use Rate : 3 pregnancies per 100 couples per year
(97% effective)
Perfect
Use Rate: 0.1-0.5 pregnancies per 100 couples per
year
|
| Benefits |
Very
high rate of effectiveness
May
help discomfort associated with periods-less cramping,
lighter flow, more regular periods
Decreases
risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer
Lower
incidence of benign breast cysts
May
decrease incidence of acne/ excess facial hair
|
| Risks |
No
protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Common
side effects: nausea, breast tenderness, breakthrough
bleeding (usually clear in 3-6 months)
Serious
side effects possible: Older smokers should not use
the Pill (talk to your doctor)
Weight
gain possible
Antibiotic
use may decrease effectiveness of pill ‹ use backup
method!
|
|
STD
Protection
|
Absolutely
none. |
| How
to Get It |
OCPs
must be prescribed and your doctor or health care provider
must review your medical history to make sure OCPs are
a safe choice for you. |
| Cost |
About
$20 per monthly pack. $240 per year plus cost of annual
doctorÕs exam. |
