There comes a time in every woman's life when she is mentally ready to become a mother. Every woman has this desire at different ages. It’s good if she wants to become a mother before the age of thirty - her body is completely ready for this. But the more time passes after thirty years, the less likely it is to get pregnant. At birth, a girl has approximately four hundred eggs in her ovaries. Starting at about thirteen years of age, a girl produces one egg every month. And by the age of thirty, there are not so many eggs left. Let's add here not ideal health, a slower metabolism (over the years it slows down for everyone) and the consequences of various women's ailments. As a result, there is a great desire to get pregnant, but the opportunity to have a child melts away before our eyes.
- this is a natural state of a woman, which occurs after the fusion of a male cell (sperm) and a female cell (egg). As a result of the fusion inside the female genital organs, a fertilized egg is first formed, which is first attached to the wall of the uterus, and then a human embryo grows and develops from it. The pregnancy process lasts about forty weeks. All processes taking place inside a woman are controlled by the body’s hormonal system.
To get pregnant, a woman needs, firstly, for the egg to mature. Secondly, so that the sperm reaches the egg. And thirdly, so that the fertilized egg reliably attaches to the wall of the uterus and begins to develop. If at least one of these conditions is not met, pregnancy will not occur.
Sage
One of the best natural remedies is sage. Sage contains natural estrogen and is a completely safe remedy. A decoction is prepared from sage (one teaspoon of herb per glass of warm water), which is drunk three times a day for ten to eleven days.
Plantain seeds
One tablespoon of plantain seeds is poured with one tablespoon of boiling water. Both men and women take two tablespoons four times a day.
Adam's root
Two tablespoons of root are poured into a glass of boiling water. The decoction is drunk four times a day.
In order to get pregnant, herbal decoctions and rose petals also help.
Vitamins that help you get pregnant
One of the main vitamins that allows you to conceive a child faster is. Another name is vitamin B9. It is recommended to start taking this vitamin at the stage of pregnancy planning - two to three months in advance and if you are unable to get pregnant. In addition to folic acid, pregnant women are prescribed vitamin E (tocopherol) and vitamin A (ascorutin). These three vitamins can be taken individually or as part of a prenatal vitamin supplement. But a prerequisite is the supervision of a doctor. You should not exceed the dosage of some vitamins, such as vitamin A, because this can cause negative effects on the fetus.
A lot of these vitamins (B9, A and E) are found in vegetables and fruits. For example, carrots and pumpkin contain a lot of vitamins A and E, and lettuce, parsley, spinach, and peaches contain folic acid.
How long does it take to get pregnant
This is a difficult question to answer even for the most qualified doctor. This depends on many factors - the health status of the spouses, their age, their lifestyle, habits, nutrition, how often sexual intercourse occurs, their emotional state (which is important) and even the climate in the family. 
Many women are interested in which pills to take to get pregnant. This question is also best answered by a doctor, because under no circumstances should you prescribe any hormonal medications for yourself. Only after a full medical examination, because infertility can be caused by various factors. And pills for conceiving a child also have completely different effects. In addition, they have contraindications. By taking such medications uncontrollably, a woman can do herself more harm than good and even remain infertile forever.
In general, in order to get pregnant, you need to act comprehensively. Firstly, a married couple needs to get rid of all bad habits, start leading a healthy lifestyle, and spend more time in the fresh air.
Secondly, make your diet correct by excluding everything rich, refined, sweet, fatty, salty, smoked, fried, and giving preference to protein foods.
Third, a woman must keep a menstrual cycle calendar. This is done in order to determine the day of ovulation for the successful conception of a child. You can calculate ovulation in several ways, from measuring basal body temperature, counting the days of your cycle, and ending with ovulation tests.
Fourth, at the stage of pregnancy planning, both spouses must undergo a medical examination. Especially for women, to eliminate all problems associated with conception.
Only after one year has passed and the couple has not been able to conceive a child can they consult a doctor about this problem. Depending on the problem, the gynecologist will prescribe a certain type of medication. If the problem is that ovulation does not occur or the eggs are too small, then gonadotropic drugs are prescribed "Puregon", "Klostilbegit", "Menogon". If the problem is that the fertilized egg cannot travel to the uterus, medications with human chorionic gonadotropin are prescribed, which will help solve this problem. And if the fertilized egg cannot attach to the wall of the uterus, then medications with the female hormone progesterone are needed. This "Duphaston", "Utrozhestan", "Cyclodinone".
In addition to synthetic drugs, in order to get pregnant, you can use herbal decoctions - sage, plantain seeds, hogweed, red brush, Adam's root. The most important thing is to take such decoctions only under the supervision of a doctor.
Emergency contraception is a one-time protection against conception, permissible for use 1-2 times a year. The effect of postcoital drugs is aimed at preventing the process of ovulation, changing the structure of the uterine mucosa, reducing the likelihood of implantation even in the event of fertilization.
In contact with
After taking contraceptives, the changes that occur in a woman’s body are completely reversible. Sometimes gynecologists prescribe emergency medications to correct hormonal imbalances. The choice of drugs requires an individual approach.
Do birth control pills really protect against pregnancy?
Oral contraceptive pills prevent the risk of pregnancy in 98 cases out of a hundred. The effectiveness of oral contraception is affected by interactions with other medications (antibiotics, activated charcoal, laxatives).
Gastrointestinal disorders accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea reduce the reliability of contraceptives.
It is also important to take into account the period of taking the pills, set by the gynecologist after studying the woman’s medical history and the results of laboratory tests. During a medical examination, a number of parameters are subject to assessment:
- weight, blood pressure;
- type of skin, hair;
- condition of the mammary glands;
- blood biochemistry;
- condition of the visual organs (examination by an ophthalmologist);
- the presence of somatic pathologies;
- predisposition to major diseases at risk;
- contraindications.
Oral contraception is prescribed based on the ratio of hormones:
- COC is a combined composition. The active substance is progestogen and ethinyl estradiol. Depending on the ratio of hormones, monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic COCs are distinguished.
- The mini-pill is a non-combined oral contraceptive based on the progestogen hormone (does not contain estrogen).
Benefits of taking hormonal contraceptives:
- Improving the condition of hair and skin, treating skin diseases.
- Prevention of severe complications (ectopic pregnancy).
- Reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Blocking the development of tumor diseases. Therapeutic effect (gynecologists note many cases of cure of uterine fibroids).
- Prevention of inflammatory processes.
- Elimination of premenstrual syndrome, painful physical sensations during menstruation.
Pills against unwanted pregnancy within 72 hours
Every woman used anti-pregnancy pills after unprotected intercourse at least once. You need to take the drug within 72 hours after intercourse.
TOP 5 popular emergency contraceptive drugs (COCs):
- Preven is a combination drug. The course consists of 4 pills, 2 per dose. The method of postcoital contraception includes taking 0.1 mg ethinyl estradiol and 1.0 mg norgestrel. The method is especially popular in the USA.
- Ovral. In the USA and Canada, the postcoital drug is known as Priven and contains 50 mcg of ethyl estradiol and 0.50 mg of norgestrel. The course involves taking 4 tablets, two pills for 3 days, after 12 hours another 2 tablets.
- Ovidon. The content of one tablet - 0.25 mg of levonorgestrel, 0.05 mg of ethinyl estradiol is indicated for the predominant estrogenic phenotype.
- Ginepristone contains 10 mg of the antigestagen mifepristone. It has a high effect (99% within 2 days, 97.9% at the end of the third day), minimal side effects. The drug is recommended for women of all ages, including teenagers.
- Genale. The active substance is mifepristone 10 mg. Take 2 hours or 120 minutes after meals for the next 3 days.
The list of emergency “antitropic” COCs will be supplemented by Escapelle, Tetragynon, Danazol, Postinor, Escapelle. Among the gestagenic drugs (mini-pills) there is Norkolut, recommended for women and girls planning to have unprotected sex for no more than 2 weeks/year.
The earlier emergency contraception is used, the greater the chance of successful action of the drug. It is advisable to take the product within the first 12 or 24 hours. The deadline is 72 hours, after which the pills will not work.
The best birth control medications
Correspondence of oral contraceptives to female phenotypes:
- Predominance of estrogens. Phenotype: femininity, dry skin and hair, short stature, prolonged menstruation. If estrogen predominates, protective agents with a high content of hormones are recommended: Rigevidon, Triziston, Milvane.
- Balanced composition of estrogens and androgens. Phenotype: femininity, medium-sized developed mammary glands, oily skin, normal hair, no PMS, menstrual cycle 30 days. Optimal choice of contraception: Microgynon, Silest, Femoden, Marvelon, Lindinet-30.
- Increased content of androgens (gestagens). Phenotype - tall height, poor development of the mammary glands, oily skin and hair, PMS in the form of depression, pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, scanty menstruation, cycles of 28 days. The preferred choice of drugs is: Jess, Janine, Yarina, Diane-35.
Emergency methods
There are 4 types of emergency contraception:
- FEC containing UPA;
- ECPs containing LNG;
ECPs with UPA are taken as a single dosage of 30 mg, ECPs with LNG - 1.5 mg. The advantage of ECPs over COCs is determined by the lower degree of nausea and vomiting. The effectiveness of alternative emergency contraceptive pills is 98...99%. ECP with UPA is recommended for use within 72-120 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.
Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) provide immediate protection that must be inserted within 5 days. The method is especially suitable for women who rely on highly effective and reversible long-acting methods of contraception. Vaginal tablets (Pharmatex, Benatex, Ginakotex) are non-hormonal substances that provide effective, safe use in conjunction with other contraceptives.
Cost of tablets
Approximate cost of contraceptives:
| Name of tablets | Price, rubles |
| Microgynon | 310 |
| Lindynette | 340 |
| Jeanine | 790 |
| Chloe | 760 |
| Femoden | 820 |
| Tri-Merci | 1000 |
| Regulon | 480 |
| Mercilon | 1560 |
| Marvelon | 1530 |
| Logest | 810 |
| Gynepristone |
Sometimes during sexual intercourse such an unpleasant event as a rupture of a condom can occur, which will lead to the entry of seminal fluid into the woman’s body. Also, during sex, partners may forget use contraception. And some couples even have sex without a condom, using coitus interruptus as a method of contraception.
Without careful care, this can lead to unwanted pregnancy, which is a serious problem for both partners.
What is 72 hour emergency contraception?
One of the methods of emergency contraception is special pills against unwanted pregnancy, which you need take to a woman within 72 hours. This is a medical method aimed at suppressing the ability to become pregnant through unprotected sex.
These are medications that contain a huge dose of the female steroid hormone - gestagen (progestogen), which suppresses ovulation by affecting anterior pituitary gland. Also, gestagen thickens cervical mucus, which makes it difficult for the sperm to move towards the egg.
If fertilization has occurred, then under the influence female steroid hormone the endometrial layer regresses, thereby making it impossible for the zygote to attach to the fallopian tube.
In other words, the principle of action of these drugs is based on artificial stimulation of menstruation in a woman. Uterine contraction occurs, resulting in the egg is washed away.
So emergency contraceptive pills can stop pregnancy at the moment of conception within 72 hours.
Name of drugs for emergency contraception
Nowadays, medicine provides a fairly large selection of pharmacological therapy for unwanted pregnancy.
Postinor- a contraceptive drug that includes the substance levonorgestel - a synthetic gestagen. The medicine prevents pregnancy in about 85% of cases. The drug must be taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
Gynepristone– active component mifepristone. Take within 72 hours.
Escapelle– the drug contains the same substance as the previous one. Take within 72 hours.
Genale– the active ingredient mifepristone is a synthetic steroidal antigestagenic agent. Causes inhibition of ovulation, prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg. Take the drug within 72 hours after sexual intercourse.
A drug like Regulon not suitable as an emergency contraceptive, but with long-term use, regulon provides a contraceptive effect.
Regulon is a combined contraceptive drug. Its pharmacodynamics is inhibition of the effect of gonadotropin, inhibiting ovulation and preventing sperm from entering the cervical canal.
Rules for using tablets
It is important to take emergency contraceptives early after unprotected intercourse, preferably within the first 12 or 24 hours. The deadline is 72 hours, after which the contraceptive will not work. Remember, the sooner emergency contraception is used, the greater the chances of successful action of the drug.
But this type of contraception is a last resort method. Emergency contraception can only be used twice a year due to the enormous consequences for the body in form of hormonal imbalance, which is very dangerous for women’s health and can lead to a long series of diseases.
Side effects
- menstrual irregularities;
- headache;
- nausea;
- vomit;
- loss of consciousness;
- rashes;
- swelling of the limbs and face;
- aching, nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
- ectopic pregnancy is a complicated pregnancy when a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterine cavity. This is a medical emergency and is life-threatening;
- mastopathy – pathological fibrocystic changes in breast tissue. Painful, fine-grained lumps form in the mammary gland. This is a benign formation. However, there is a high risk of their malignancy and transition to a malignant tumor process;
- Uterine bleeding is a serious condition that also requires emergency medical care. Life threatening;
- infertility (emergency contraception is especially dangerous for girls who have never given birth);
- thrombus formation - hormonal drugs can provoke thrombus formation, which in turn can lead to pulmonary embolism and strokes;
- Crohn's disease - hormonal drugs increase the risk of Crohn's disease by 3 times;
- emotional lability.
It is worth noting that it is better to make the choice of drug with a medical specialist. You should not rush to take the first contraceptive you come across without first consulting a gynecologist. Improper use of hormonal drugs is very dangerous for both health and life. The doctor will select the drug that is more suitable for you and tell you the risks and what you can expect after taking the drug. Under the supervision of a specialist, the effects of taking these drugs are significantly reduced.
If for some reason you still cannot go to the gynecologist, then before taking the drug, carefully read its instructions. This is important not only for the correct application of the pharmacological action, but also for your health.
After taking hormonal medications, it is advisable to consult a doctor within two weeks, even if you feel well and have no complaints.
Contraindications
For girls under 16 years of age, emergency contraception is contraindicated because they have not developed cyclicity of ovulation and menstruation. This can lead not only to infertility, but also to irreparable health problems. Other
Do not take under any circumstances oral contraceptives for confirmed pregnancy, there is a high risk of ectopic pregnancy.
The use of hormonal contraceptives is excluded in case of pathology of the liver, biliary tract, or liver failure. If glucose absorption is impaired or lactose intolerance, the use of these drugs is also prohibited.
The use of drugs while breastfeeding is prohibited. Do not breastfeed your baby for 24 hours if the drug was taken.
An interesting fact is that the body of a breastfeeding mother secretes the hormone prolactin, which, under certain conditions, virtually eliminates pregnancy for the woman at this time
Hormonal contraceptives are contraindicated, if a woman has had an ectopic pregnancy in the past, with tumors, with increased blood clotting rates, or with long-term use of corticosteroids, with anemia, Crohn's disease.
Any pathology on the part of a woman’s body may cast doubt on the use of hormonal contraceptives. You should think twice before taking these drugs, weighing the pros and cons.
Each body is individual, and especially women’s. It is difficult to say how a healthy body will react to a hormonal surge. In some cases, the consequences after taking oral emergency contraceptives do not appear, or appear only slightly, while in other cases, taking hormones can lead to serious consequences for a woman’s health. There is a big risk that not only the reproductive system, but the entire body as a whole will suffer.
Unwanted pregnancy can lead to social problems, especially at a young age. To prevent unwanted consequences, before taking emergency contraceptives, it is better to consult a gynecologist who will prescribe you a gentler medicine.
The concept of emergency or, as it is also called, postcoital contraception is usually understood as measures aimed at eliminating the possibility of pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. This may happen within 1-3 days. The most commonly used method is the hormonal method, i.e. a woman drinks a medicine containing hormones.
The need to use post-coital contraception may arise for a number of reasons: rape has been committed, unprotected sexual intercourse has occurred, interrupted sexual intercourse has been performed incorrectly, the integrity of the condom has been compromised, etc. Let's take a closer look at this method and tell you which anti-pregnancy pills can be used after unprotected intercourse sexual intercourse, we list their names.
What drugs are used for emergency contraception?In order to avoid pregnancy, progestogen and antigestagen drugs are currently actively used.
Representatives antigestagens are Agest. The drugs are used within 3 days from the moment of sexual intercourse, no later.
Progestin drugs used for postcoital contraception for a long time. A representative is pills used against pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse for decades. The earlier the pill was taken, the greater its effect. The drug contains a high concentration of levonorgestrel. It significantly affects the ovaries, as a result, a woman may have problems with the menstrual cycle in the future. The product should be used in exceptional cases.
Escapelle is also a gestagen, a new drug that is highly effective. Unlike those discussed above, it is effective even after 96 hours from the moment of sexual intercourse. However, manufacturers note that 100% results are achieved when applied within 1-2 days.
What consequences might a woman who has used such drugs face?The main consequences of using emergency contraception drugs include:
- subsequent menstrual flow may occur earlier or later than expected, and their volume is large;
- the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen.
If these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor, especially in cases where, 3 weeks after taking, menstruation is not observed and signs of pregnancy appear.
Are postcoital contraceptives allowed for everyone?Modern medicine offers several options for contraception, but the most popular of them is still birth control pills. This method of preventing unwanted pregnancy is the most effective; taking pills is convenient and reliable. If contraceptive drugs are chosen correctly, everything will work out without consequences for the body.
Can you trust hormonal contraception?
Many women think that birth control pills are a new invention, so they don’t trust them. In fact, people first started talking about hormonal contraception 100 years ago at the beginning of the 20th century. The first experiments on hormones were carried out by the Austrian doctor Haberland. Due to this, artificial female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen were obtained already in the 30s of the last century. And in 1960, the American Pincus created the first hormonal contraceptive pill, it was called “Enovid”.
The first drug contained huge doses of hormones and was not reliable, so development of “pills for getting pregnant” continued. As a result, the dosages of hormones were reduced, the proportions were worked out, and the reliability of contraceptives increased. Now hormonal contraception is the most reliable method of preventing unwanted pregnancy - its effectiveness reaches 99.9%.
In addition to protection, many drugs have a therapeutic effect, restoring hormonal balance. Therefore, gynecologists prescribe them for many diseases of the female genital area and for severe metabolic disorders. Properly selected hormonal drugs significantly improve a woman’s appearance - oily skin and hair go away, pimples and blackheads disappear.
Types and purposes of birth control pills
Taking birth control pills prevents the fertilization of an egg. Another group of birth control pills consists of drugs that are taken to terminate pregnancy in the early stages.
The following types of contraceptive medications are most popular among women:
- Mini-pills (progestin).
- Combined oral contraceptives (COCs).
- Emergency contraception.
- Non-hormonal agents.
- Birth control pills with herbal hormones and traditional medicine.
When choosing pills, please note that no method of contraception can guarantee 100% results. Therefore, if after taking birth control you feel changes in your body that even remotely resemble signs of pregnancy, immediately contact your gynecologist.
How to select drugs to prevent pregnancy: tests are necessary!
To choose the most correct and appropriate method of preventing unwanted pregnancy, you need to consult a gynecologist. You cannot buy any pills yourself! Taking hormonal drugs without examination can disrupt hormonal levels, increase the growth of existing tumors, cause infertility and other complications.
The examination includes:
- (carried out with the aim of studying microflora and excluding malignant neoplasms - oncology);
- (to exclude pregnancy, cysts, tumors and other neoplasms);
- Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
- Blood chemistry;
- (hormones contained in COCs change clotting).
It is advisable to get tested for liver enzymes. This way you can completely exclude gastrointestinal diseases for which hormones are contraindicated.
The doctor also assesses age, weight and general health: measures blood pressure, examines the body for signs of skin infections, studies hormonal signs (oily skin and hair, size of the thyroid gland, etc.).
When correctly prescribing oral contraceptives, in addition to test results, the woman’s phenotype is taken into account, which is determined by her appearance, height, characteristics of the menstrual cycle, chronic diseases, and the condition of the skin, hair and mammary glands.
Depending on the phenotype, the doctor will prescribe a suitable drug.
Female phenotype | Peculiarities | Drugs |
Estrogen predominance | Short or average height, feminine appearance, skin prone to dryness, long menstruation with heavy blood loss | Medium- and high-dose oral contraceptives: Logest, Milvane, Femoden, Rigevidon, Lindinet, Triziston, Microgynon, Triquilar |
Balanced type | Average height, femininity, average breast size, absence of premenstrual syndrome, periods last 5 days, moderate oily hair and skin | Marvelon, Femoden, Microgynon, Silest, Regulon, Novinet, Lindinet-30, Tri-Regol, Triquilar |
Predominance of gestagens | Tall stature, underdeveloped mammary glands, premenstrual depression, “boyish” appearance, scanty menstruation with a short cycle | COCs with an antiandrogenic component: Yarina, Janine, Jess, Diane, Dimia, Chloe, Siluet, Zoeli, Erica |
What birth control pills can breastfeeding women take?
Do women who are breastfeeding need protection? If a woman is a nursing mother, then ovulation, in theory, should be suppressed, because the body produces a special hormone during lactation (the period of feeding the baby) and the egg does not mature. In gynecology, therefore, the lactation period is characterized as physiological infertility or lactational amenorrhea. However, in practice there are many cases where a woman became pregnant just a couple of months after giving birth. This suggests that you shouldn’t hope for “maybe” - you need to protect yourself in any case.
The problem also lies in the fact that breastfeeding women do not pay attention to the signs of pregnancy in the early stages, since they simply do not exist! There are no critical days during feeding, the breasts are swollen. But mild nausea does not appear immediately and is taken for granted or attributed to chronic fatigue. Having missed the first stages of an unwanted pregnancy, a woman will have to undergo a traumatic surgical abortion, which is doubly dangerous after childbirth. From all of the above, the importance of taking birth control pills even during lactation is obvious.
When choosing birth control pills during lactation, you need to understand that many drugs pass into breast milk. How exactly they act is not yet known, but gynecologists and pediatricians agree on this issue - it’s not worth the risk. Only mini-pills are allowed for use by nursing mothers. But when the baby grows up and the menstrual cycle is restored, it will be better to use combined contraception.
When are hormonal pills prescribed for pregnancy?
The first purpose of these drugs is to prevent pregnancy. They are also needed to treat certain conditions:
- After an abortion, to exclude a new pregnancy, reduce bleeding.
- After childbirth (if you are not breastfeeding, you can start taking it after 3 weeks).
- To prevent recurrent ectopic pregnancy.
- After treatment of pelvic inflammation, to prevent new infections.
- For menstrual irregularities.
- For patients with anemia, to reduce blood loss.
- For gynecological diseases associated with hormonal imbalance, for example, polycystic ovary syndrome, endocrine infertility, PMS, endometriosis, etc.
Doctors say that COCs have a positive effect on the course of rheumatoid arthritis and stomach ulcers.
Birth control pills after abortion and childbirth
After an abortion, you need to start taking pills immediately. If this fails, start taking it from the next menstruation. After giving birth you need to wait 3-4 weeks. It is worth noting that the contraceptive effect of COCs begins to act after 14 days of taking the pills. And the oral contraceptive method will achieve its maximum effect in the second month of taking the drug.
You can start taking the mini-pill immediately after your prescription. After giving birth, you need to wait about 1.5 months and then start contraception.
Pregnancy pills and antibiotics
If your doctor prescribes medications, you must tell him or her that you are taking hormonal contraceptives. Some medications, when used together, reduce the effectiveness of COCs, so the instructions for the drugs should be studied thoroughly. In case there is a decrease in the contraceptive effect of birth control pills, use additional methods of protection (optionally, condoms).
As for the mini-drink, you don’t have to worry about your doctor prescribing antibiotics. Taking these medications does not affect the effectiveness of progestin-type birth control pills.
How long can you take hormonal contraceptives?
Many women for whom a gynecologist has selected COCs take these contraceptives without interruption for years and decades. It is not right. As a person ages, his weight, hormonal status, and living conditions change. The body loses its immunity, chronic diseases accumulate. Taking the same hormones in this case is akin to wearing the same dress at the same time.
Gynecologists believe that it is possible to use a properly selected method of contraception for several years in a row, subject to constant monitoring by a female doctor. After childbirth and approaching menopause, hormone concentrations need to be adjusted again. This will help not only not to get pregnant, but also to heal and prolong youth by postponing menopause.
Some scientists suggest taking mandatory breaks from taking hormonal contraceptives every year for 3-6 months. Thus, supposedly, the body perceives the period of absence of ovulation as pregnancy and lactation. This technique is still just a theory, so it’s better to trust your gynecologist, who knows exactly when to take a break or replace the pills.
Birth control pills and pregnancy
Hormonal pills for pregnancy, when selected correctly and following the rules of administration, do not reduce the ability to conceive after discontinuation. You can get pregnant literally right away. And if the pills were also prescribed for medicinal purposes, due to the normalization of the cycle and hormonal status, the possibility of pregnancy even increases. The chances of pregnancy become equal 3-6 months after stopping hormones. The course and outcome of the planned pregnancy will be absolutely the same as before taking the pills.
Some experts believe that hormonal contraceptives, when taking the same drugs for many years, reduce reproductive function, since the ovaries lose the habit of producing hormones on their own. If you plan to have children in the future, you should listen to your body and doctors. You can get checked by taking a break and taking hormone tests - they will show whether taking contraceptives affects ovarian function or not.
Mini-pill - progestin tablets
Mini-pills, or, as they are otherwise called, “minimal pills,” are drugs containing a minimal amount of a synthetic substitute for the female sex hormone progestin (gestagen). Hormones belonging to this class are produced in the ovaries and other organs and are designed to support conception and pregnancy. In total, mini-pills can include 2 types of synthetic gestagens- linestrenol or desogestrel.The hormone content in “minimal pills” varies from 300 to 500 mcg.
In terms of their functionality, mini-pills can replace combined oral contraceptives - their effectiveness is 95%. Such contraceptives are prescribed to women who, for a number of reasons, cannot take hormonal pills with normal concentrations of hormones. Although progestin-only drugs (mini-pills) are less effective than classic hormonal contraceptives, they are still popular due to their gentle effect on the body. The group of progestin contraceptives includes: Mikronor, Ovret, Charozetta, Primolut-Nor, Exluton, Continuin.
Many women ask their gynecologist how mini-pills differ from combined contraceptive pills and what is the reason for their reduced activity. The difference is in the mechanism of action. Mini-pills realize their contraceptive effect by changing the consistency of mucus in the cervix. It becomes thick and prevents sperm from entering the uterus. If at least one of them managed to get to the egg, another action of the mini-pill appears. The fertilized egg cannot attach to the walls of the uterus. Combination pregnancy pills suppress ovulation.
How to take the mini-pill correctly
The effectiveness of any drug directly depends on the correct method of its use. The mini-pill must be taken every day and at approximately the same time. It turns out that you need to take 365 tablets per year without breaks, regardless of menstruation.
If for some reason it was not possible to take the pill on time, you need to do it as soon as possible. If vomiting begins after taking the drug, therefore the drug does not start to work, a new tablet will need to be taken the next day. In this case, you will additionally have to use other methods of protection for 2-3 days.
The most optimal time period for taking the pill is 18-19 hours. The contraceptive effect reaches its maximum 3-4 hours after using the drug. In general, most sexual intercourse occurs late in the evening or at night. It is at this time that the mini-pills will work best. But this fact does not mean that during the day they will be ineffective. The birth control pill lasts for a day and will perform its functions in any case.
Pros and cons of taking mini pills
There are no ideal contraceptives, they all have both pros and cons.
Benefits of the mini drink
- Quick effect - when taken regularly, the tablets begin to act within 3-4 hours.
- No side effects and a mild effect on the body as a whole. Even in nursing women, lactation does not decrease and the taste of milk does not change.
- Do not affect blood clotting.
- Regular use allows you to feel protected at any time. There is no need to take the pill immediately before sexual intercourse.
- Mini-drinks do not reduce libido, do not increase emotionality, and do not stimulate nervousness.
- Progestin-only birth control may be used before surgery.
- After stopping taking the mini-pill, the ability to conceive is restored within a month.
- Menstruation passes without severe pain.
Disadvantages of progestin contraceptives:
- A slight weight gain is possible.
- Taking your pills daily requires punctuality.
- The effectiveness of the mini-pill is slightly lower than that of combined oral contraceptives.
- Not suitable for all women.
- They do not have a pronounced therapeutic effect, while combined contraceptives are prescribed both for prophylactic purposes and as medications.
Side effects and contraindications
Possible side effects (occurs in 1-7% of women)::
- Chronic thrush is getting worse.
- The menstrual cycle changes.
- The sensitivity of the mammary glands increases.
- The skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation increases; sunbathing is undesirable.
Mini-pills are contraindicated for use if a woman has:
- Epilepsy.
- Bleeding of unknown origin.
- Malignant tumors.
- Hepatitis.
- Kidney pathologies.
While taking the mini-drink, you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice signs such as:
- A long delay in menstruation is a possible pregnancy.
- Bleeding, heavy menstruation (hygiene products are changed every hour) - hormonal imbalance.
- Pain in the pelvic area (a sign of an ectopic pregnancy).
If conception occurs as a result of violation of the frequency of taking the drug, then you need to stop taking the mini-pill. If you decide to leave the pregnancy, then no problems will arise - such pills do not affect the formation of the fetus.
Combined oral contraceptives (COCs)
These contraceptives simultaneously contain two important hormones - estrogen and progestin (progesterone) and their derivatives in different proportions. Both sex hormones are produced in the ovaries.
If we consider combined contraceptive drugs, it becomes clear how they were created - specialists selected concentrations and combinations that were close to the natural content in women of different ages and with different hormonal status.
Based on the combination of types of hormones, COCs are mono-, bi- and triphasic. Each of these groups includes different drugs.
Type of COC | Characteristic | Active substances (examples of drugs) |
Monophasic tablets | Desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Regulon); Dienogest and ethinyl estradiol (Siluet, Janine); Ethinyl estradiol and gestodene (Miniziston, Rigevidon, Logest, Lindinet) |
|
Biphasic tablets | The percentage dose of estrogen in all tablets is unchanged, and the gestagen content varies depending on the period of the menstrual cycle | Norethisterone and ethinyl estradiol (Binovum); Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Binordiol, Adepal, Biphasil); Chlormadinone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (Neo-Eunomin) |
Three-phase tablets | The dose of hormones varies depending on the period of the menstrual cycle (3 times in one package | The most common drugs: Triziston, Tri-Regol and Trimersi. |
How do COCs work?
The mechanism of action of oral contraceptives is based on a complex of actions:
- Ovulation suppression . Blocking ovulation occurs due to a slowdown in the production of the hormones LH and FSH in the pituitary gland. Hormones coming from the pills accumulate in the woman’s body in the same doses and ratios as in the natural absence of ovulation, so the egg simply does not form. This condition is not dangerous for the female body, because even without taking COCs, anovulatory cycles (without the formation of an egg) are not uncommon; normally they are repeated 2-3 times a year. There is also no ovulation during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Changes in the properties of mucus in the cervical canal . The mucous membrane thickens and sperm cannot penetrate through this barrier into the uterus.
- Effect on the speed of egg advancement. Birth control pills slow down the functioning of the fallopian tubes and even after fertilization has occurred, they inhibit the movement of the fertilized egg into the uterus.
- Changes in the properties of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) . It loses the properties necessary to maintain pregnancy. Implantation of an already fertilized egg becomes impossible.
Types of combination pregnancy pills
Based on the number of active components, combined contraceptives are divided into three groups.
KOC Group | Characteristic | Drugs |
Microdosed | Klaira, Jess, Logest, Miniziston, Novinet, Lindinet |
|
Low dosage | The dose of hormones is slightly higher, they also have an antiandrogenic effect, recommended for use by young girls and middle-aged women | Regulon, Diana, Midiana, Silhouettes, Silest, Chloe, Marvelon |
Highly dosed | Ovidon, Tri-Regol, Triquilar, Non-ovlon |
How to take COCs correctly?
A blister with combined contraceptives often contains 21 tablets. There are exceptions. For example, the Jess blister consists of 24 tablets, and Qlaira - 28. You should start taking the tablets from the first day of menstruation, one tablet at the same time every day.
The drug continues to be taken until the end of the course. Then a break is taken for 7 days, after which you can start a new blister. It does not matter whether menstruation has ended or not. If you need pills to schedule your periods, you need to see a gynecologist - the doctor will tell you which birth control pills you need to buy and how to take them.
If a woman forgot to take a pill, she should try to do it as soon as possible. During the day, it is advisable to use a barrier contraception method. If a woman has used COCs for the first time, it is better to play it safe and take additional protection in the first two weeks of using the drug.
Intermenstrual bleeding may occur for several months after starting to take contraceptives. This is due to the body’s adaptation to stable hormone levels. Such discharge should not be a reason to stop taking birth control pills.
Therapeutic effect of COCs
All birth control pills have different effects. Most important:
- The risk of ectopic pregnancy is reduced;
- Improving the condition of skin and hair.
- Normalization of the menstrual cycle. Relief of pain during menstruation. Reducing the volume of discharge, which is important for women with anemia.
- Possibility of planning critical days.
- Protection against early menopause and aging.
- Antiandrogenic effect - reduction of hair growth above the lip, on the chin, etc.
- Reducing the risk of developing inflammation of the genital organs by 2 times by increasing the viscosity of mucus in the cervical canal.
- Reduces the risk of developing uterine and ovarian cancer by more than 2 times.
- Prevention of the development of uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and benign breast tumors. The effect lasts throughout the entire period of use and extends for 15 years after discontinuation of the drugs.
Attention! Hormonal drugs prevent cancer of the ovaries and uterus, but if the tumor already existed, they, on the contrary, accelerate its growth. they can accelerate the growth of the tumor that existed before the start of their use, so be sure to be examined by a gynecologist!
Side effects of oral contraceptives
Side effects when taking COCs are not uncommon. Basically, these are temporary unpleasant conditions that do not threaten health. If the pills are chosen correctly, after 1-2 months everything goes away and the use of contraceptives is not felt at all.
Possible:
- spotting in the middle of the cycle, soreness of the mammary glands;
- headaches, dizziness;
- nausea, flatulence,
- slight weight gain, swelling of the extremities
- temporary decrease or increase in libido.
Serious side effects (in 1% of patients) include leg pain, migraine, difficulty breathing, jaundice, allergic rash, and pressure surges. With such symptoms, you need to contact a gynecologist and change the drug. Women who smoke over 35-40 years of age need to select medications especially carefully - they are the ones who most often experience complications.
Regardless of the contraceptive method chosen, a woman needs to assess her well-being: periodically measure blood pressure, take urine and smear tests, undergo a breast examination, and visit a gynecologist.
Another side effect may occur after taking COCs - long-term use of hormonal contraceptives changes the vaginal microflora, leading to dysbiosis and. Even if this happens, it's okay - both of these conditions can be successfully treated.
Contraindications to taking oral contraceptives
- Breastfeeding, period 6 weeks after birth, pregnancy.
- Migraine, multiple sclerosis.
- Hyperbilirubinemia.
- Chronic cardiovascular diseases, bronchial asthma.
- Pathologies and tumors of the liver, kidneys, for example, renal dialysis.
- Hypertonic disease.
- Overweight, diabetes, thyrotoxicosis.
- Genital cancer.
- Smoking from 15 cigarettes per day.
- Obesity III–IV degree.
- There are other contraindications - the gynecologist will tell you about them at your appointment.
Non-hormonal birth control pills
Non-hormonal drugs are prescribed as alternative means of contraception if combined contraceptives and mini pills are contraindicated. Such remedies can be used even for serious diseases of the female genitourinary system (uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc.), after childbirth, abortion and during lactation. These drugs are effective, easy to use and safe, but you cannot use them yourself - there are a number of contraindications. A gynecologist prescribes non-hormonal vaginal medications. The woman will also need to undergo examination.
Vaginal birth control pills contain active substances called spermicides. They destroy the sperm membrane, which leads to their death. Also, these products form a film on the vaginal mucosa, which protects it from damage and thickens the mucus, thereby reducing the activity of sperm.
One of the advantages of non-hormonal birth control pills is their complex action. The tablets contain components that protect the internal genital organs from STDs and inflammatory processes.
The method of use for all drugs is the same - the tablet needs to be slightly wetted and inserted deep into the vagina 10 minutes before sexual intercourse. Each drug has a different mechanism of action:
Non-hormonal drug | Active substance | Mechanism of action |
Gynekotex | Benzalkonium chloride | Protects against STIs, viral and fungal infections, for up to 4 hours. It has a number of contraindications: colpitis, vaginal infections, sensitivity to the components of the drug, irritation of the mucous membrane. |
Pharmatex | Benzalkonium chloride | The effect of the tablet lasts up to 3 hours. The drug has an antimicrobial and antiseptic effect, protects against STDs. Does not pass into breast milk or a woman’s blood and does not disrupt the menstrual cycle. |
Conceptrol | Nonoxynol | Protects against infections and STIs, has a detrimental effect on sperm. |
Patentex Oval | Nonoxynol | Destroys the sperm membrane, has an antimicrobial effect, does not cause allergies and has no contraindications. |
Traceptin | Benzalkonium chloride | It has a similar effect to other non-hormonal drugs, with the exception of side effects. The tablets may cause itching and burning in the vagina. Not recommended for use in cases of cervical erosion and colpitis. |
There are other non-hormonal pills - they are recommended by the gynecologist.
Birth control pills - dietary supplements, with plant hormones and homeopathic ingredients
Every woman should understand one simple truth - sexual health is too serious an area in which it is dangerous to experiment. Every gynecologist can cite dozens of cases from his practice when such experiences ended disastrously for patients.
Drugs that are not officially recognized by medicine are not controlled by anyone. Dietary supplements and Chinese tablets can contain anything - it’s good if they turn out to be harmless vitamins. As for hemopathy, it also cannot guarantee a contraceptive effect. Therefore, taking this kind of birth control pill is unsafe and stupid.
The danger of taking such pills for pregnancy lies in the fact that once she becomes pregnant, and this will definitely happen, the woman risks it by deciding to leave the pregnancy. It’s hard to even guess what was in the pills and how they would affect the fetus.
Birth control pills for emergency contraception
Every woman of childbearing age can turn to emergency contraceptives in the following cases:
- Non-use or incorrect use of other methods of contraception (breaking or slipping of the condom, skipping birth control pills, late use of progestin preparations).
- Interrupted sexual intercourse with ejaculation on the external genitalia.
- Incorrect calculation of the safe period for conception.
- Incomplete dissolution of the spermicidal tablet in the vagina.
- Forced sexual intercourse without protection.
There are 3 types of such tablets:
- Oral emergency contraceptives . They are used orally within 3 days after unprotected contact (the woman must take the tablet orally).
- Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) . The drug, introduced into a special device, is administered by a gynecologist - no later than 5 days after sexual intercourse.
- . They are used if pregnancy has occurred, but its term has not reached 6 weeks (medical abortion).
Oral emergency contraceptives
If pregnancy does not occur, Levonorgestrel (Postinor, Escapelle) is used as an emergency contraceptive pill. It should be taken once for 3 days or twice as half doses with an interval of 12 hours.
Levonorgestrel prevents and delays ovulation by impairing the ability of sperm to connect with the egg. Taking the pill in a timely manner guarantees maximum contraceptive effect, but of course it does not guarantee 100%.
The advantage of taking levonorgestrel is that when taken in the recommended dose, it is safe for the female body and has virtually no side effects, except in rare cases. There are no contraindications to taking levonorgestrel tablets.
Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs)
This method is also used in emergency cases and is a drug that must be injected into the uterus within 5 days after sexual intercourse. For some reason, women call copper-containing contraceptives pills, although in fact this device does not look like a pill at all.
The action is based on a change in the composition of the mucous membrane, which leads to damage to the egg and sperm. The effectiveness of this method of emergency contraception is 99%, but only if the timing and technique of administration are observed. The only contraindication to the use of copper-containing contraceptives is pregnancy, so you must first undergo a pelvic ultrasound.
Emergency abortion pills
If a woman is already pregnant and completely excludes the possibility of childbirth, you can use special means to terminate the pregnancy. But it is important to understand that such tablets will act without serious harm to health only for up to 6 weeks.
Arguments for taking hormonal birth control pills
Contraceptives in pill form have some advantages over other forms of contraception, namely:
- Possibility of using drugs at any age.
- High efficiency (up to 99%) and quality of medicines.
- No fear of unplanned pregnancy.
- With proper selection and administration, regularity and painlessness of the menstrual cycle are guaranteed.
- Cosmetic effect (reduction of hair growth, disappearance of acne and oily skin).
- The ability to conceive after discontinuation of the drug is restored after 2-6 menstrual cycles;
- Therapeutic effect (treatment of fibroids, mastopathy, ovarian cysts, endometriosis).
One of the main disadvantages of taking contraceptives is temporary weight gain. This effect is associated with an increase in appetite. To avoid weight gain, you just need to tune in and take control of yourself by limiting calories or portions.
Birth control pills All over the world they are considered a very effective means of preventing unwanted pregnancy. The main condition is the correct selection of the drug and compliance with the conditions of administration.
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