Oral contraceptives

In today's world there is a sufficient number of methods of contraception: the natural, barrier, hormonal and surgical. Funds set and they are selected individually. Allowance and the age and health status of women. Reasonably convenient and reliable method of contraception for many women are oral contraceptives. Their great number, but the main difference from each other - this is the composition of hormones. So there are combined oral contraceptives (COCs), progestin (mini-drink) and postcoital taken after unprotected sex.

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) contain in their composition two hormones - estrogen and progesterone. CCO divided into three types. For example, there is monophasic when the amount of hormones varies throughout the cycle, two-phase, three-phase (different combinations of hormones).

Minipill contain only one hormone - progestin. Their efficiency is lower than the CCO, but there are some pluses. Basically they are assigned to those women who have serious contraindications to receiving combination therapies: nursing mothers, women in their forties, etc.

Postcoital contraceptive, or another emergency ambulance. Apply if the sex was unplanned, if the condom broke, or after the rape. They are used not later than 2-3 days after intercourse. These pills contain a variety of hormones and a very negative effect on the body of women in general, so they need only take the advice of a gynecologist, and in extreme situations!

All oral contraceptives have pluses and minuses.

Of course, one of the main advantages of oral contraceptives, especially the CCO, is a high contraceptive efficacy. Another plus - in their therapeutic effect. Oral contraceptives prevent some causes of infertility, regulate the menstrual cycle, with painful periods, many women suffer from a noticeable relief. In addition, oral contraceptives guard against certain diseases, such as ovarian cancer and endometrial from osteoporosis. There is also a positive effect on acne, the treatment of increased body hair, with hair loss.

In addition to the positive properties of oral contraceptives have a number of negative points.

First, oral contraceptives require a high degree of organization, because skipping a single oral increases the risk of becoming pregnant. Secondly, their effectiveness is reduced, while taking certain medications (tranquilizers, some antibiotics). And the most important negative oral contraceptives - they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (AIDS, venereal diseases, etc.).

Any pills, including oral contraceptives have their contraindications and side effects. Morning after pill is absolutely contraindicated in women with diabetes mellitus, with varicose veins, high blood pressure, smoking. The fact that one of the main side effects of these pills is that they can trigger blood clots, resulting in a corking of vessels, most likely in the presence of these diseases.

Can not fail to mention some issues that arise in many women with oral contraceptives.

One of the major concerns of those - a decreased sex drive. Experts explain this by the fact that oral contraceptives affect the hormones in the body (changing the level of testosterone, androgens), but this may not necessarily lead to a decrease in libido. Perhaps the decline in sexual activity is not connected with pills, but with the emotional, the mental state of women with depression.

Next question - weight gain. Almost all oral means of contraception allow weight change. Someone thinner, and someone on the contrary, fullness - it all depends on the individual characteristics of each woman's body. Completeness can be associated with an increase in appetite, or water retention in the body. Therefore prone to overweight women in particular need to follow the diet, play sports, lead an active lifestyle. If there is a tendency to swelling, then this should tell your gynecologist, it is possible that they are associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system, and then the hormone pills are contraindicated. In any case, require careful examination.

And one the most frequent question - what to do if you forget to take a pill.

First, you should immediately take the pill as soon as remembered her, and following the usual time, and secondly, be sure until the month to use other methods of contraception such as condoms. Although the probability of pregnancy occurs only when the interval between tablets to more than 12 hours.