New Hormones And Lower Doses For Birth Control Pills
Early in the 1960s, the medical hazards posed by high-dose estrogen became apparent. Although these serious events were relatively rare, they developed more frequently in vulnerable women. In response to these problems, restrictions were placed on women who were candidates for oral contraceptive use and the doses of estrogen were reduced. Women with histories of deep venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction, stroke or hypertension were no longer offered pills. The dose of mestranol was reduced first to 100 g, then to 80 g, and later to 50 g. The doses of progestin were decreased to balance the estrogen doses.
With each reduction in the estrogen , a measurable decrease was observed in venous thrombosis .15 Mestranol is a prodrug and requires hepatic cleavage to convert it into its active form ethinyl estradiol. The conversion rate varies between individuals, but 50 g mestranol is generally equivalent to 35 to 40 g EE. EE replaced mestranol in most of the 50 g formulations and in all the sub-50 pills.
Which Types Of Hormonal Birth Control Can Be Used To Delay Periods
Several types of hormonal birth control can be used to reduce the number of periods you have. The best method for you depends on your goals and preferences — for example, whether you want fewer or no periods and whether you want short- or long-term birth control — and your overall health. Talk to your doctor about the following options.
Birth control pills
It’s possible to delay or prevent your period with extended or continuous use of any combined estrogen-progestin birth control pill. Your doctor can recommend the best pill schedule for you, but generally, you skip the inactive pills in your pill pack and start right away on a new pack. However, there are also several types of birth control pills designed specifically to lengthen the time between your periods. Among those currently available in the U.S. are:
Vaginal ring
Like combined estrogen-progestin birth control pills, it’s possible to delay or prevent your period with extended or continuous use of the contraceptive vaginal ring.
Hormonal intrauterine device
DMPA injection
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate is a type of progestin that you receive by injection every 90 days. It is a form of long-term birth control and also reduces or eliminates monthly bleeding. After one year of DMPA injections, 50& percnt to 75& percnt of women report having no periods. The longer you use DMPA, the more likely it is to stop your periods.
Is The Birth Control Pill Safe
Birth control pills should not be used by women who have a history of:
- uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease
- liver tumors or liver disease
- increased blood clotting or stroke risk
- or if currently pregnant
Smoking increases the risk of serious heart side effects when using a combined estrogen and progestin birth control, including the ring or the patch. Combination estrogen and progestin birth control should NOT be used in women over 35 years of age who smoke due to an increased risk of rare but serious side effects, such as heart attack, blood clots, and stroke.
Women should talk to their healthcare professional about their individual risk profile before deciding which birth control method to use. Heart risks linked with the pill increase with:
- family history of heart disease
- number of cigarettes smoked per day.
Let your physician know if you have migraine headaches when discussing birth control options.
The birth control pill does not protect against any form of sexually transmitted disease , including HIV / AIDS. A male latex or female condom should be used in combination with any other form of birth control if protection against STDs is needed.
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Who Cant Take Estrogen
Women who are breastfeeding, have a history of certain cancers, or have blood clotting disorders should not take combination birth control pills.Some women are unable to take estrogen-based contraceptives, and sometimes thats a temporary situation, and other times its lifelong because of health conditions. Lets start with temporary reasons certain women may need to use progestin-only or non-hormonal contraceptive options.Estrogen plays a role in the development of breast tissue and helps produce milk during the postpartum period. Because of estrogens effect on the breasts and potentially on milk supply, breastfeeding women should avoid combination pills that include estrogen . For women with certain health conditions, combination pills are not the best option.The risk of cardiovascular side effects like blood clots or stroke is low with progestin-only pills but is a risk with combination pills containing estrogen. For that reason, people with a history of blood clots, stroke, or blood clotting disorders like Factor V Leiden Syndrome should avoid combination pills .Additionally, women with a history of estrogen-receptor-sensitive cancers should avoid hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen, including breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer . Whether you use a combination pill or a progestin-only pill, you will still be able to prevent pregnancy. Still, its essential to understand how to get started so that you can have a good experience with your birth control.
Combination Birth Control Pills
With typical use, low-dose birth control pills are 92% effective at preventing unintended pregnancy. These can be taken as generic or name brand pills. Both types have the same amount of effectiveness. The most popular brand name, low-dose combination pills include Yaz, Ortho-Novum, Aviane, , Yasmin, and Levlen.
In most cases, women will take 21 days of active pills followed by a seven-day break where only placebo pills are taken. It is during this break that a withdrawal bleed will occur. However, it is safe for women to take the active pills continuously to prevent this bleed.
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Is Low Dose Birth Control And The Mini
Short answer: no. The mini pill is another form of oral contraceptive. Unlike low dose combination pills, mini-pills contain progestin only. There is no estrogen in them.
The primary way progestin only pills work is by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine wall. Occasionally they prevent ovulation, according to the Mayo Clinic, but thats generally attributed to the estrogen in combination pills.
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How Are Very Low
Very-low-dose birth control pills are usually started on the first Sunday after your period starts. If youâre perimenopausal but you arenât having regular periods, you can probably take a hormone called medroxyprogesterone acetate to start your period. These pills are taken for 21 days in a row and then not taken for seven days. During the seven days without medicine, your period will start. Seven days later , youâll start taking the very-low-dose oral contraceptives for another cycle .
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Oral contraceptives come in packets of 21, 28, or 91 tablets to take by mouth once a day, every day or almost every day of a regular cycle. To avoid nausea, take oral contraceptives with food or milk. Take your oral contraceptive at the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take your oral contraceptive exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.
Oral contraceptives come in many different brands. Different brands of oral contraceptives contain slightly different medications or doses, are taken in slightly different ways, and have different risks and benefits. Be sure that you know which brand of oral contraceptives you are using and exactly how you should use it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a copy of the manufacturerâs information for the patient and read it carefully.
If you have a 21-tablet packet, take 1 tablet daily for 21 days and then none for 7 days. Then start a new packet.
If you have recently given birth, wait until 4 weeks after delivery to begin taking oral contraceptives. If you have had an abortion or miscarriage, talk to your doctor about when you should begin taking oral contraceptives.
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Reasons To Stay Clear Of Low
Alas, there are downsides to low-dose birth control, too. The biggest one is that you must take it every day for it to effectively prevent pregnancy. Theres no wiggle room on this one.
Other downsides include:
- Some people have side effects like decreased libido, headaches, bloating, nausea, or breast tenderness. The good news is these may lessen over time.
- All birth control pills come with a risk of heart attack, blood clots, or strokes. People who smoke or have certain medical conditions are more likely to have these side effects.
- The minipill can cause spotting .
Additionally, certain medications decrease the effectiveness and make you vulnerable to an unwanted pregnancy. These include:
If you take any of these above medications, your healthcare provider might suggest another way for you to prevent pregnancy.
You can take your low-dose birth control in different dosages. There are two types of dosing: conventional and continuous/extended cycle.
Birth Control Pills: High Versus Low Dose Oral Contraceptive Pills
Both high and low dose birth control pills are effective ways to prevent pregnancy and each has risks. Consult your physician to know which one is best for you.
Starting birth control pills? Birth control is one of the most celebrated and controversial topics in the history of man.
Though threats of overpopulation are real, the concept of birth control still remains one of the taboos of modern society. In almost all eras and generations, people have always had opposing beliefs on it.
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What Are The Alternatives For Low Dose Birth Control
If low dose birth control isnt the best option for you, there are multiple non-hormonal methods to choose from.
The copper IUD, Paraguard, does not contain any hormones but still prevents pregnancy. Unlike birth control pills you need to see a healthcare professional to have it inserted or removed making it a good option for a person not looking to get pregnant in the near future.
Some women choose to use the fertility awareness method to track their ovulation cycles and avoid intercourse during fertile windows or use protection such as condoms during this time.
However, this method isnt reliable. Fertility awareness is only 76% effective at preventing pregnancy, and even if you know when you ovulate, you can get pregnant anytime during your menstrual cycle .
What Is Considered Low Dose Birth Control
Most pills prescribed today have around 30-35 micrograms of hormones. Any pill that has less than 30 micrograms is considered low dose. At Pandia Health, we do not recommend these pills for individuals under the age of 30, as they can have a negative impact on bone density.
The hormone estrogen helps during the process of gaining bone density by inhibiting bone resorption . According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, young adult females who used birth control pills with estrogen levels below 30 micrograms had lower bone mass density around the spine. Similarly, a study conducted by the Group Health Research Institute found that women under 30 who took lower-dose birth control experienced smaller gains in bond density compared to those who took a dose above 30 micrograms. While its impossible to develop conclusions based on small-scale results, low dose birth control should still be prescribed with caution to ensure healthy bone density.
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Progestins And The Risk For Blood Clots
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition where blood clots develop in the veins , and can be life-threatening if they travel to the lungs, heart, or brain.
Progestin-only methods are generally not thought to increase risk for blood clots . But when combined with estrogen in combined hormonal birth control, the type of progestin may make a difference in the risk for blood clots .
A large study in Denmark showed that people using birth control containing the progestins desogestrel, gestodene, and drospirenone were twice as likely to develop a blood clot in a vein than people using birth control containing levonorgestrel . Another study that combined data from six studies did not find a connection between progestin type and the risk for blood clots .
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How Is Low Estrogen Diagnosed
Diagnosis and treatment of low estrogen can help prevent many health issues.
If youre experiencing symptoms of low estrogen, talk with your doctor. They can assess your symptoms and make a diagnosis if needed. Early diagnosis may help prevent further complications.
During your appointment, your doctor will discuss your family health history and assess your symptoms. Theyll also perform a physical exam. Blood tests will likely be needed to measure your hormone levels.
Your follicle stimulating hormone levels may also be tested to determine whether your estrogen is low if youre experiencing:
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What Are Your Options For Low Dose Birth Control
Low dose birth control pills come as a combination pill, which contains a form of estrogen and synthetic progesterone , or the progestin-only mini pill.
The combination pills usually contain under 35 mcg of estrogen and varying amounts of progestin . These pills are available under many different brand names, such as Yaz, Yasmin, Loestrin Fe, and Ortho-Novum.
The mini pill, on the other hand, only contains progestin. Women who are breastfeeding or anyone with a history of blood clots, as well as cigarette smokers over the age of 35 should not take estrogen as this can increase your risk of blood clots so progesterone-only birth control may be a better choice .
Theres a reason that people dont choose progestin-only pills right off the bat, though. Without estrogen, you may notice more breakthrough bleeding .
Because of the way progestin-only pills work, you need to be really good at taking them at the same time every day, even more so than combination pills. Missing a dose can put you at higher risk of pregnancy than estrogen-containing options .
Oral Contraceptive Pills Meet The Fdas Standards For Otc Sale
As mentioned above, the FDA process was designed to demonstrate that consumers can accurately understand and follow OTC labels. According to ACOG, the potential toxicity of the medication and whether the medication can benefit consumers without endangering their safety are the main factors the FDA considers to make a medication available OTC. Labels and instructions must be understandable without the presence of a health care provider. Packaging must also outline the benefits and risks to the users health. Leading medical organizations have reaffirmed that a prescription is not clinically necessary for access to the pill. It is not toxic, not addictive, and has no risk of overdose, meeting the FDA criteria for OTC access. In fact, other OTC medications to relieve cold, flu, and allergy symptoms carry higher risks.
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What Is The Difference Between 21
Theonly difference between the 21- and 28-day birth control pills is that the 28-day includes either seven inactive sugar pills or seven iron pills. If youre taking a 21-day birth control pill, youll take the pill for three weeks, and then skip a week before starting a new pack. For 28-day pills, youll start a new pack immediately after finishing your last one.
Types Of Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills contain man-made versions of hormones, estrogen and one of a dozen different types of progestin. Women naturally produce estrogen and progesterone. There are three main kinds of birth control pills: combined estrogen-progesterone, progestin-only, and continuous or extended cycle pills. There are many varieties of each type of pill, from brand names to generic, with dosing available in 28, 90, or 365-day active pill cycles. Different brands contain the same hormones, they are just given different names by different manufacturers. Which specific pill is best for you depends on your bodys needs, plus the recommendation of your healthcare provider.
Heres a brief explanation of the various types of pills on the market and how they work:
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