Do Birth Control Pills Prevent Pregnancy?

Dear Sexperts,

This is about the birth control pills. Does this help you from not getting pregnant because I want to have sex but don't want to get pregnant.

Answer:

You are very wise to consider using some form of birth control in order to prevent pregnancy if you want to enjoy an active sex life. Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptives, are a very popular method of pregnancy prevention and are used by over 100 million women worldwide. Oral contraceptives are a reversible method of birth control. Since the pill's inception in the 1960's, women have used oral contraceptives to minimize the risk of pregnancy and to manipulate the timing of their menstrual periods. Users of oral contraceptives also benefit from having fewer periods and experiencing less discomfort during their menstrual periods. There are three basic types of oral contraceptives: the constant-dose combination pill, the multiphasic pill, and the progestin-only pill.

The first type of oral contraceptive pill is the constant-dose combination pill. This type of pill contains two hormones, synthetic estrogen and progestin. The dosage of these two hormones remains constant throughout the menstrual cycle allowing for menstrual period regularity and miniscule chance of pregnancy.

The second type of pill is the multiphasic pill. This type of oral contraceptive provides fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone levels (unlike the constant-dose combination pill) during the menstrual cycle. This type of pill was designed to reduce the total hormone dosage and the side effects that come with high amounts of hormones entering the body, while still allowing for maximum contraceptive effectiveness.

The third type of pill is the progestin-only pill. This pill contains only 0.35 mg of progestin, a progesterone-like substance. This amount of progestin is only about one third the amount in an average-strength combination pill. The progestin only pill contains no estrogen, but like the combination pill, this type of oral contraceptive has a constant-dose formula. The first two pill types, the combination pill and the multiphasic pill prevent conception primarily by inhibiting ovulation. The estrogen in these two pills affects the hypothalamus, inhibiting the release of the pituitary hormones FSH and LS, which usually begin the process of ovulation. The progestin in these pills provides more protection against pregnancy by thickening and chemically altering the cervical mucus so that it stops the passage of sperm into the uterus. Progestin also causes the lining of the uterus to change, making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant.

The progestin-only pill works a bit differently. This type of pill allows a woman to continue to ovulate occasionally. This pill works to alter the cervical mucus to a thick and tacky consistency that block sperm effectively. When taking the pill, it is very important for the user to follow the directions accompanying the pill as closely as possible. It is also key that the pill user takes the pill at the same time every day to maintain steady hormone levels and to maximize the pills's effectiveness. If used correctly, oral contraceptive pills have high degrees of effectiveness. The combination pill and the combination pill have a mere 0.1% failure rate if used correctly and consistently. The progestin-only pill has about a 0.5% failure rate under the same circumstances.

The pill is a very good contraceptive choice for most women and it is great that you have considered using it. Birth control pills have many advantages. Because the pill can be taken at any time during the day (rather than needing to be timed to be used just before or during sexual intercourse) spontaneity can be maintained effectively. Also, because the pill is not a permanent form of birth control, a woman may easily stop using it if she decides she wants to become pregnant. The pill's high degree of effectiveness is yet another benefit. Combination pills may eliminate pain at ovulation and will reduce menstrual cramps along with the amount and duration of a woman's menstrual flow. Some women also notice that taking oral contraceptives diminishes premenstrual tension symptoms (PMS). The use of oral contraceptives also reduces the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer by half. Other advantages of using the birth control pill include breast enlargement and a decrease in acne in some women.

There are also some disadvantages of oral contraceptives. The major disadvantage is that the pill does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs) or AIDS. Condoms should always be used in conjunction with oral contraceptives to reduce both the risk of pregnancy and the risk of contracting and STI. Another possible disadvantage of oral contraceptives is that they may be related to emotional changes. Some women report feeling more depressed or emotionally unstable when using oral contraceptives. In all, oral contraceptives have proven to be a highly effective and popular way to prevent pregnancy. I highly advise you to see a health care practitioner so you can begin taking the pill or find one of the many other contraception methods that may be right for you. Best of Luck!

Sincerely,
The Sexperts