Conditions and Management

Birth control pills are currently one of the most popular types of female contraception in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 65% of women who are at childbearing age are using some form of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Birth control pills are preferred by many women because of their availability, effectiveness and ease of use. However, despite being referred to informally as “the pill” in a collective sense, there are many different types available, and it may take some trial and error to find the right choice for you.

What is a Combination Birth Control Pill?

Most birth control pills work by releasing hormones into a woman’s body that can prevent pregnancy from occurring. Combination pills use a blend of the hormone estrogen and one of the many different types of progestin. These are the most popular types of birth control pills, and many brands make them for the U.S. market.

These pills are taken at the same time every day, and their approach to preventing pregnancy is threefold:

• They suppress ovulation: When an egg is not released from the ovaries, there is no way for it to be fertilized and implanted which would result in pregnancy.
  They stop sperm from reaching an egg: These pills thicken a woman’s cervical mucus to a degree that prevents sperm from passing through it, which means the sperm cannot reach an egg to fertilize it.
• They thin the endometrial lining: Although the first two approaches are generally enough to stop pregnancy from occurring, these pills also thin the endometrial lining of the uterus. This means that if an egg is somehow fertilized, it will have trouble implanting due to the thin lining.

For preventing pregnancy, a combination pill is 99 percent effective when used correctly, which means it must be taken at the same time each day without fail. Typical use effectiveness, which accounts for incorrect use, is 93 percent. Women who forget to take a pill on time should use a condom as a backup method.

Combination Birth Control Pill Types

Combination birth control pills fall into one of three general categories: monophasic, biphasic or triphasic.

• Monophasic: These pills contain the same amount of estrogen and progestin in each active pill in the pack.
• Biphasic: With a biphasic birth control pill, the levels of estrogen and progestin change one time while a woman takes the active pills. This generally involves raising the level of progestin during the second half of the cycle.
• Triphasic: In triphasic birth control pills, the levels of hormones change three times during the woman’s cycle. The levels of both progestin and estrogen typically change throughout the cycle in these pills.

There are also variations in the number of pills that are included in a one-month supply. Most packs contain a set number of active birth control pills and reminder pills that do not contain hormones. These reminder pills serve to help women maintain their routine of taking a pill every day.

What Are The Most Popular Brands Of Birth Control Pills?

Here’s a look at some of the most popular brands of birth control pills in the U.S., listed by type.

Monophasic

• Alesse
• Apri
• Estrostep Fe
• Levora
• Loestrin
• Nordette
• Ortho-Novum
• Yaz
• Yasmin

Biphasic

• Mircette
• Azurette

Triphasic

• Ortho Tri-Cyclen
• Caziant
• Velivet

Choosing the Right Combination Birth Control Pill

Your doctor can provide valuable guidance on the right type and brand of birth control for you. While all types of birth control pills currently available are considered effective, the options available to you will depend on your lifestyle and personal health history.

For example, one possible side effect of combination birth control pills is elevated blood pressure. For women who have a history of high blood pressure, a low-dose combination pill might be the best choice. They contain less than 50 micrograms of estrogen in each active pill, but they may cause more breakthrough bleeding than their higher-dose counterparts.

Popular low-dose pill brand names in the U.S. include:

• Loestrin
• Apri
• Lo Ovral
• Yaz
• Yasmin
• Levora
• Aviane

It takes approximately three months for your body to adjust to a new type of birth control pill. If you find that you experience side effects after this adjustment period, your doctor may suggest a different option.

Some women, like those with a history of stroke or smokers over the age of 35, are not good candidates for combination birth control pills. There are estrogen free forms of birth control that may work well for them, including progestin only birth control pills, Depo Provera, contraceptive Implants and IUDs.

The Side Effects of Combination Birth Control Pills

Although many women can safely use these pills without experiencing any side effects, some will experience certain symptoms or effects due to the fluctuations in their hormone levels, particularly when they first start to take the pill.

These include bleeding between periods, breast tenderness, fluid retention, weight gain, vomiting, nausea and headaches.

Schedule an Appointment to Discuss Contraceptive Care

If you are sexually active and looking for an effective birth control pill, the contraceptive care team at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness can provide valuable guidance. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

The birth control patch is a convenient form of contraception that works in a similar manner to combination birth control pills by releasing hormones into the bloodstream that stop the ovaries from releasing an egg. Available by prescription, it is worn on the body and changed once per week. With perfect use, fewer than one out of every 100 women will get pregnant during their first year using the patch.

However, it is important to understand the instructions and follow them to the letter to enjoy this high degree of protection.

Here is a closer look at how to use a birth control patch.

Choose an Appropriate Day to Begin

Your health-care provider should walk you through the process of selecting an appropriate day to begin a patch cycle. For those who are using the patch for the first time, it is best to wait until the first day of your period. Once you begin using it, you will not need any backup contraception.

However, some people opt for a Sunday start for consistency. This means that you will apply the patch on the first Sunday after your period has begun. Women who use this approach should use backup contraception during the first week.

Find a Good Place to Apply Your Patch

Think carefully about where you will place your birth control patch on your body. Some common spots are the lower abdomen, upper outer arm, and buttock. It is not a good idea to apply your patch to an area where it could get rubbed, such as beneath your bra strap.

When applying the patch, be sure your skin is clean and dry; avoid using creams, makeup, and other products on the area where you wear your patch. Avoid placing it on irritated, red, or injured skin. If your patch causes your skin to become irritated, remove it and place a new one on a different area.

Position the Patch Carefully

It is important to handle your patch with care to avoid damaging it. Patches come in a foil pouch that should be opened carefully on one end. Using a fingernail, lift a corner of your patch to peel it away from the pouch.

You will notice that it has a protective clear lining on it, much like a bandage. Peel back half of this lining and apply the sticky surface that is revealed to your skin. Then, remove the rest of the liner and press the patch firmly onto your skin.

To ensure it sticks well, use the palm of your hand to put pressure on it for a few seconds. Then, smooth it out and check the edges to make sure they are adhering well to your skin. The patch must be left on for seven days and should not be removed for bathing, exercising, or swimming.

Ensure Your Patch Remains in Place

It is a good idea to check your patch regularly – at least once a day – to ensure it remains in place. If it has become partially detached and cannot be reapplied, place a new one on your skin immediately.

If your patch falls off and is no longer sticky or has other materials stuck to it or is stuck to itself, you cannot reuse it. You should also avoid using any type of wrapper adhesive to keep your patch in place.

If a patch has been partially or fully detached from your skin for longer than 24 hours, either in one stretch or cumulatively across a few days, apply a new one and be sure to use backup contraception for at least one week.

Change Your Patch on the Same Day Each Week

You will need to remove your patch and apply a new one once a week on the same day each week. It is best to apply your new patch to a different part of your skin to avoid irritation, even if you just move it slightly over from where the previous one was situated.

Once you have removed your patch, fold it in half so that the sticky sides adhere to one another and then throw it away. Patches should never be flushed in the toilet. If any adhesive is stuck to your skin after removal, lotion or baby oil can be used to remove it.

Skip Your Patch Every Fourth Week

You should replace your patch once a week for three weeks, then spend a week without wearing a patch. This is the week on which you can expect to have your period.

At the end of this week, place a new patch on your skin on the same day of the week that you previously applied your patch. If you do not apply your new patch at the correct time, you will need to use backup contraception.

Reach Out to Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

To learn more about the birth control patch and other effective methods of contraception, reach out to Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness to schedule an appointment today.

The birth control shot is an effective type of contraceptive injection that prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormone progesterone into a woman’s bloodstream). Although it is considered one of the most convenient methods of birth control, it does come with some side effects.

Here is a closer look at what you need to know about the birth control shot and the effects it can have on your body.

What Is the Birth Control Shot?

The Depo-Provera™ birth control shot is a type of birth control that is administered in the form of an injection once every 12 weeks. It boasts an efficacy rate of up to 99.7 percent. It is a popular choice among women who are unable to use estrogen-based contraceptive methods because it only contains the hormone progestin.

What Are the Side Effects of the Depo-Provera™ Birth Control Shot?

Here is a look at some of the more common side effects of this birth control shot.

A Loss of Bone Density

One concern associated with long-term use of the Depo-Provera™ shot is the potential loss of bone density. The Food and Drug Administration notes that when the shot is used regularly for more than two years, women are more vulnerable to experiencing bone thinning and broken bones. For this reason, the use of this shot should be limited to no longer than two years.

Many doctors recommend that women who receive this shot take calcium and vitamin D supplements to help mitigate its effects on bone density. When bone loss does occur as a result of the shot, it is considered permanent. Depo-Provera™ carries a black box warning indicating this risk.

Weight Gain

Another potential side effect of the Depo-Provera™ birth control shot is weight gain. Research shows that two-thirds of women reported gaining five pounds during their first year using the shot.

By their second year, the figure had climbed to eight pounds, while those who continued taking the pill gained an average of 16.5 pounds by year six. This equates to approximately three pounds per year. Although not all women will experience this side effect, it is an important consideration for those who struggle to maintain a healthy weight.

Irregular Menstrual Bleeding

One of the most commonly reported side effects of the birth control shot is changes to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Irregular spotting and bleeding can occur for more than a year in some women, but there is no way of predicting who will experience this particular side effect and to what degree.

For women who find this side effect particularly frustrating, switching to a different method of contraception is the only viable solution. However, some women can enjoy short-term relief while their body gets used to the shot with supplements such as Lysteda and Ponstel.

Missing Periods

Like some other methods of birth control, such as intrauterine devices, birth control shots can cause menstruation to cease altogether in some women after they have received a few injections; others may experience much later periods.

For many women, this is considered a benefit of the shot rather than an unpleasant side effect. Indeed, some women start using this method of contraception in hopes of putting an end to their period.

According to clinical studies, more than a third of women who use Depo-Provera™ will stop getting their period after six months of treatment. After a year, this number climbs to 55 percent, while 68 percent of women will stop getting periods by the second year.

Mood Changes

Some women experience changes to their mood, including experiencing anxiety and depression. Almost 11 percent of women using the shot reported nervousness in clinical trials, while 1.5 percent reported experiencing depression.

However, the evidence showing that the shot caused these effects is considered inconsistent. Nevertheless, women with a history of depression should be monitored while using the shot and stop using it if they experience symptoms of depression.

Delayed Fertility

Depo-Provera™ is considered an effective and long-lasting birth control method, but it is important to note that unlike some other methods of birth control, it may take some time for women to begin ovulating normally again after they discontinue use.

Women who would like to get pregnant after using this shot should expect to wait at least nine months before successfully conceiving. Research shows that 68 percent of women got pregnant within their first year of stopping Depo-Provera™; this number reached 93 percent 18 months after stopping the shot.

Abdominal Pain

In clinical trials, 11.2 percent of women using Depo-Provera™ reported experiencing discomfort or pain in their abdominal area. It is important to keep in mind that severe abdominal pain can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which may occur while using the shot.

Therefore, women who experience this side effect should immediately seek emergency care. Although it is rare, an ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening.

Reach Out to the Raleigh Women’s Health-care Team

To discuss the advantages and drawbacks of various methods of birth control and find one that suits your needs, schedule an appointment with the women’s health-care team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today.

The birth control pill is the most common type of contraception used by women around the world, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is 99 percent effective when used properly, but that means taking it every single day at exactly the same time.

Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do consistently, which means that the pill may be 91% effective. Here are some tips for staying on schedule and how you can maximize protection from pregnancy with the pill.

Take Your Pill at a Time That Works for You

When you first start taking birth control pills, consider a time that works with your lifestyle. Look at your schedule and find a time to take the pill every day of the week. If you wake up early, taking it then may be a good idea, but what happens when you want to sleep in on the weekend? Choose a time when you are consistently available to take the pill.

Set a Reminder on Your Smartphone

Modern smartphones make our lives easier in many ways, and the ability to set daily reminders is undoubtedly one of them. There are several ways to use your phone to help you remember to take your birth control pill, from setting a daily alarm to go off at the right time each day to using the reminder feature in a calendar app or downloading a dedicated reminder app. There are even birth control pill reminder apps that have built-in trackers to help you manage your cycle.

However, there are a few reasons you may not want to do this. For instance, you may like to turn your phone’s alarm off if you’re busy and then forget to take your birth control pill.

Some people are trying to reduce their reliance on smartphones and may have certain times when they choose not to use them. Meanwhile, if you are usually with many others, you may not want your phone’s alarm to interrupt. However, there are other options to help you stay on schedule.

Make Taking Your Birth Control Pill Part of Your Daily Routine

Another good way of remembering to do something each day, such as taking your birth control pill, is by combining it with another daily habit that you do regularly. After all, routine is the key to making something consistent.

Look at your daily schedule and see where you can fit in taking your pill. For example, you may decide to take it every morning after breakfast or after you take your shower. Whatever habit you decide to tie your birth control to, keep your pill pack in the same area that you will be, as this makes it more convenient to remember to do so..

If a friend or family member also takes medication at a certain time each day, both of you may want to take it at the same time to help each other remember.

Set Your Pills in a Visible Place

Even if you do set a reminder, you may still be worried that you are going to forget to take your pill from time to time. Many people find that keeping them in a place where they will see them each day can serve as an effective visual reminder. When you leave your birth control container on your dresser, night stand, or kitchen counter, it will be more difficult to forget taking it.

If you are frequently not home at the time you take your pill, consider leaving them in your purse so that you always have them with you. However, do not leave your pills in the bathroom as temperature and humidity changes may impact their efficacy.

Write It Down

Studies have shown that writing something down can help your brain to better remember it. This is why taking notes in school is so effective. Therefore, consider jotting down a reminder to take your pill.

If you use a paper calendar or planner, write down the time that you need to take your pill in the entry for each day. Alternatively, you could use post-it note reminders and put them where you are likely to see them often, such as your fridge.

Schedule an Appointment With the Contraceptive Care Team

If you have any questions or concerns about birth control usage, reach out to the contraceptive care team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to schedule an appointment.

The birth control pill is an effective, convenient, and safe way for women to avoid unwanted pregnancies, giving them control over their reproductive health. However, those who are using the pill for the first time may be overwhelmed by everything they need to learn.

Here are some tips for making your oral birth control pill experience as smooth as possible.

Find Out When You Can Expect Protection

The amount of time it takes for your pill to offer you protection from pregnancy depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you start taking it and the type of pill. There are two main types of birth control pills: combination pills that contain estrogen and progestin and a progestin-only pill.

With the combination pill, you can expect immediate protection if you begin taking it within five days of your period. However, if you start taking it in the middle of your cycle, your doctor may recommend that you use backup contraception for anywhere from 7 to 14 days depending on the brand of pill you are taking.

Those taking progestin-only pills, however, can enjoy protection after 48 hours of starting the pill regardless of the point they are in their menstrual cycle. Your doctor should explain this to you when they prescribe the pill, but be sure to ask any questions you may have about the timing of your pill’s effectiveness. You should also find out what steps to take if you miss a pill as this varies by brand.

Give Your Body Time to Adjust

Birth control pills release hormones into your bloodstream, and you may notice some changes as your body adjusts. For example, some women may experience spotting or even bleeding between periods. This is a natural reaction to introducing the hormones and is not normally a cause for concern.

However, if you experience any type of symptom that has a negative impact on your quality of life, contact your gynecologist to find out if it could be related to your pill.

It takes many women two to three months to get used to a new birth control pill. But sometimes a pill is simply the wrong fit for a woman’s body chemistry. In this case, it is often recommended to try a different type of birth control pill with a different combination of hormones to see if it works better for you. Your doctor can guide you through this process and help you find a suitable solution.

Start Taking the Pill on the Last Day of Your Period

You can begin taking birth control at any point in your cycle, but some doctors recommend beginning the first pill on the Sunday after your start your period. This is considered ideal timing because the pill should start working right away, unless your body mass index is 30 or greater.

Nevertheless, many physicians suggest continuing to use condoms while taking the first pack of birth control pills as you are more likely to forget to take a pill as you adjust to your new routine.

Additionally, keep in mind that birth control pills do not offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections, so you should only give up condoms when you are having sex with someone whose health status you trust.

Consider Taking Your Pill in the Evening

The most important thing you can do to ensure you get maximum protection against pregnancy is to take your birth control pill at the same time every day. Choosing the right time from the start makes it far easier to establish a routine and stick with it.

Many women find that taking their birth control pill in the evening after dinner works well. First, like many other medications, taking it with food or right after eating can reduce the chances of experiencing nausea and other unpleasant side effects.

It also means that if you are one of the few women who does experience nausea from your birth control pill, you will likely sleep through it. Moreover, by making it part of a post-dinner routine like brushing your teeth, you are less likely to forget it.

Your birth control pill’s effectiveness will decrease if you take it at different times of the day, so choosing something that happens every day, like eating dinner, provides you with a good time marker to signal it is time to take your pill. Many women also find that setting an alarm on their phone as a reminder really helps them stay compliant.

Schedule an Appointment With Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

If you would like to learn more about oral birth control pills, reach out to Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to learn more about your available options, schedule an appointment, and find the right solution to meet your needs.