Birth control pills: how not to get pregnant and what to do if you get pregnant

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.

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Can you trust hormonal contraception?

The content of the article

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.

Are you taking COCs? OK or not OK?

The content of the article

One form of hormonal contraception is combined oral contraceptives. These drugs are based on the action of two sex hormones at once - estrogen and progestin (gestagen), which control the most important periods in a woman’s life. At a certain concentration, girls begin puberty, ovulation occurs—the body prepares for pregnancy, and, finally, pregnancy itself. These same hormones can be made to work in reverse, preventing unwanted pregnancies.

The principle of action of hormonal contraceptives COCs includes a number of effects. Tablets containing estrogen and gestagen, when taken correctly and in dosage, guarantee:

• Lack of ovulation .
  The egg does not mature or enters the fallopian tube defective and incapable of conception.
• Thickening of mucus in the cervical canal of the uterus
  . This makes it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
• Decreased sperm activity
  , for which an excess of these hormones is harmful.
• Thinning of the uterine lining
  into which the egg is implanted during normal pregnancy. An insufficiently thick layer of the endometrium will in any case lead to the death of the egg, even if it is miraculously fertilized.

If there are no contraindications and the rules described in the manufacturer’s instructions are followed, taking birth control pills protects against unwanted pregnancy by almost 100%. If side effects, violations of intake, or neglect of contraindications occur, the result can be reduced by 50%.

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:

• A smear from the vagina and cervix (carried out to study the microflora and exclude malignant neoplasms - oncology);
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (to exclude pregnancy, cysts, tumors and other neoplasms);
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
• Tests for sex hormones;
• Blood chemistry;
• Blood for clotting (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 work 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.

What to do if the pills don't work

In rare cases, pregnancy may occur while taking birth control pills. Most often this occurs due to irregular use of contraceptives or a decrease in their effectiveness under the influence of various factors.

If you suspect pregnancy, you should immediately consult a gynecologist to confirm the presence of pregnancy. If a woman decides to terminate an unplanned pregnancy, she must act quickly to obtain a medical abortion.

This method is considered the safest for a woman’s health. However, medical abortion can only be performed until the 6th week of pregnancy, so it is important not to delay your visit to the doctor.

Mini-pills - 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.

How effective is hormonal contraception compared to condoms and IUDs?

In theory, oral contraceptives provide an effectiveness of over 99%, but in practice, with “typical use” the effectiveness can decrease to 91% [1]. The risk of pregnancy increases if a woman does not take the pill at the same time, misses a day or two, or experiences a “side effect” in the form of vomiting. Some antibiotics can also reduce the effectiveness of hormones.

The IUD is also said to be more than 99% effective and can remain in the body for up to 10 years, depending on the type. One of the disadvantages is that the IUD may be rejected due to individual intolerance.

Condoms are the only means of contraception that, in addition to controlling pregnancy, provides protection against many sexually transmitted diseases. Male condoms are considered 98% effective, female condoms (inserted into the vagina) - 95%.

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 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.

conclusions

Many women are afraid to take birth control pills because of existing myths about their negative impact on appearance and health. However, all negative manifestations arise only when the drugs are selected incorrectly. Selecting oral contraceptives together with your doctor will avoid side effects and make taking pills simple and safe.

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Abortion and contraception clinic in St. Petersburg - department of the medical gynecological association "Diana"

Make an appointment, tests or ultrasound via the contact form or by calling +8 (812) 62-962-77. We work seven days a week from 09:00 to 21:00.

We are located in the Krasnogvardeisky district, next to the Novocherkasskaya, Ploshchad Alexander Nevsky and Ladozhskaya metro stations.

The cost of a medical abortion in our clinic is 3,300 rubles. The price includes all pills, an examination by a gynecologist and an ultrasound to determine the timing of pregnancy.

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 look at 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	The hormone content in all tablets is the same and does not depend on the time of administration	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:

• Suppression of ovulation
  . 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	Contain a minimal amount of hormones, more suitable for girls under 25 years old	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	They contain the highest concentration of hormones and are prescribed for the treatment of hormonal-type diseases of the genital organs (endometriosis, etc.)	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, Jess's blister consists of 24 tablets, and Qlaira's - 28. You should start taking 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.

How do oral contraceptives affect libido?

According to some studies, the level of sexual desire and pleasure in women who take COCs, although insignificantly, decreases [3 [3] The explanation for this is: the pills change the level of not only estrogen and progesterone, but also androgens - these hormones are responsible for susceptibility psychosexual areas of the central nervous system. However, only 15% of women report such negative side effects. In addition, it is impossible to unambiguously associate the level of androgens with sexual desire, since for some, libido decreases when taking pills, while for others it remains the same. The psychological factor should not be discounted. Having ceased to be afraid of an unwanted pregnancy, a woman can, on the contrary, begin to have sex more often and more willingly. Libido also directly depends on the phase of the cycle. The peak of desire usually coincides with ovulation.

Therapeutic effect of COCs

All birth control pills have different effects. Most important:

1. The risk of ectopic pregnancy is reduced;
2. Improving the condition of skin and hair.
3. Normalization of the menstrual cycle. Relief of pain during menstruation. Reducing the volume of discharge, which is important for women with anemia.
4. Possibility of planning critical days.
5. Protection against early menopause and aging.
6. Antiandrogenic effect - reduction of hair growth above the lip, on the chin, etc.
7. Reducing the risk of developing inflammation of the genital organs by 2 times by increasing the viscosity of mucus in the cervical canal.
8. Reduces the risk of developing uterine and ovarian cancer by more than 2 times.
9. 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 thrush. Even if this happens, it's okay - both of these conditions can be successfully treated.

Contraindications to taking oral contraceptives

Taking COCs is strictly prohibited for the following diseases:

• 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.

Side effects that should alert you

The following side effects should not be ignored in any case:

• Menstrual irregularities, bleeding, spotting, recurring after 2 cycles of taking the pills.
• Headache that does not go away on its own without analgesics.
• Primary or chronic thrush.
• Swelling of the legs, faces, indicating metabolic and kidney problems.
• Permanent decrease in libido.
• Hair loss.

These symptoms indicate an excess of sex hormones, so these pills need to be replaced.

Non-hormonal birth control pills

This is another category of contraceptive drugs, but they are used vaginally, as local contraception immediately before sexual intercourse.

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 administration for all drugs is the same - the tablet needs to be slightly wet 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.

Is it possible to continue a pregnancy that occurs while taking birth control pills?

If a woman suspects that she is pregnant and wants to continue the pregnancy, she should immediately stop taking birth control pills and consult a doctor. Medical practice shows that taking oral contraceptives at the beginning of pregnancy does not in any way affect the development of the embryo. A woman has every chance to give birth to a healthy child.

However, if a woman does not suspect pregnancy for a long time and continues to take pills, this can negatively affect the development of the fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to closely monitor symptoms indicating pregnancy and, most importantly, follow the rules for taking oral contraceptives.

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-containing intrauterine devices (IUDs)
  . The drug, introduced into a special device, is administered by a gynecologist - no later than 5 days after sexual intercourse.
• Pills for early pregnancy termination. 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.

How to determine if the pills are working

If a woman takes birth control pills regularly and has no side effects and her menstrual cycle starts on time, there is nothing to worry about.

The main sign of the action of birth control pills will be the absence of ovulation. Many women can feel the onset of ovulation or determine it by measuring their basal temperature. If there are no signs of ovulation and the basal temperature does not increase, then the pills are working.

If you have doubtful symptoms, in order to be sure of the effect of oral contraceptives, you should visit a gynecologist, who, during the examination and ultrasound procedure, will be able to see signs of the effects of the drugs. You should also consult a gynecologist if side effects or individual intolerance to the components of the drug occur.

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.

Contraindications for contraception

Contraindications to the use of any group of contraceptives are:

1. ​Breastfeeding.
2. ​Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
3. ​Pregnancy.
4. ​Kidney diseases.
5. ​Oncological processes in the body.
6. ​Overweight.
7. ​Severe form of hypertension.
8. ​Liver pathologies.
9. ​Diabetes mellitus.
10. ​Preparation for surgery.
11. Uterine bleeding of unknown origin.

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 are considered throughout the world to be 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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Selection rules

Experts categorically do not recommend that women choose birth control pills on their own. Incorrectly selected pills can not only lead to unwanted pregnancy, but also cause serious health problems. When selecting oral contraceptives, the doctor must take into account the following factors:

• General medical history of the patient;
• Number of births, abortions and miscarriages;
• Test results (blood, urine and gynecological smears);
• Ultrasound results;
• Life conditions;
• The nature and regularity of the menstrual cycle;
• Assessment of hormonal levels.

Obtaining all this data is possible only by visiting doctors. Before choosing birth control pills, a woman needs to consult a gynecologist or endocrinologist, and sometimes a mammologist.