How Pandia Health Can Help
Pandia Healths mission is to make womens lives easier by providing FREE delivery of birth control to all 50 states. Our expert doctors can write you a new prescription if you live in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MI, NV, TX, TN, PA, WA, or WY. We can also help you transfer your current prescription to our pharmacy.
With Pandia Health, its time to say goodbye to pill anxiety in knowing that you will never run out of birth control on our watch. today so you can #SkipTheTrip to the pharmacy and have that #PandiaPeaceOfMind.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article intend to inform and induce conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Pandia Health, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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What Is The Mini
The progestin-only or mini-pills contain only norethindrone or drospirenone and each pill is active . When you finish one pack of progestin-only pills, you start another pack the next day. With progestin-only pills you will either get your period in the fourth week, get no periods, or have spotting during the month. Your periods may be heavier or lighter. Do not stop taking your progestin-only pills.
Examples of progestin-only pills include:
- Camila
See other progestin-only birth control options
Who Can Use The Combined Pill
If there are no medical reasons why you cannot take the pill, and you do not smoke, you can take the pill until your menopause. However, the pill is not suitable for everyone. To find out whether the pill is right for you, talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist.
The pill may not be right for you if you:
- are pregnant
- smoke and are 35 or older
- stopped smoking less than a year ago and are 35 or older
- are very overweight
The pill may also not be right for you if you have :
- blood clots in a vein, for example in your leg or lungs
- stroke or any other disease that narrows the arteries
- anyone in your close family having a blood clot under the age of 45
- a heart abnormality or heart disease, including high blood pressure
- severe migraines, especially with aura
- breast cancer
- disease of the gallbladder or liver
- diabetes with complications or diabetes for the past 20 years
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What Is The Best Birth Control Method Overall
Most women who want to protect themselves from pregnancy get a prescription for the pill. Yet there are other forms of contraception, like the IUD for example, that last longer and are even more effective. The pill is a short-term method that suits many people, though you’d have to remember to take the pill every day.
Ultimately, the best birth control for you depends on many things and could change over time. The Office on Women’s Health says there is no best method of birth control for every woman, but that you should consider things like:
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Whether you want to get pregnant soon or in the next few years
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Possible side effects
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Your overall health
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How comfortable you are with the method, such as having to take a pill everyday
We’ve come a long way from one birth control pill option. The number of brands of pills might be a little overwhelming, but we hope that this article will give you confidence when you talk to your doctor. With so many brands of pills and combinations of different ingredients, there is truly a birth control option out there for almost everybody who’s eligible to take it. The best birth control pill is the pill that works best for you!
What Is The Best Birth Control Pill For Teens
Out of the two types of birth control pills , it’s more common for teens to take a combined birth control pill. The American Academy of Pediatrics says the mini-pill is not recommended as the first choice for teens. Combination birth control pills can be a good option for adolescents who can remember to take it every day.
Though the pill is easy to use, there are other methods of birth control that might be even more convenient for young women. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the IUD and the arm implant should be the first-line choice for young women who are sexually active. These methods could serve teens best, because they’re busy, and unlike the pill, you don’t have to remember to take it every day.
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How To Choose The Best Birth Control Pill For You
Because every woman is different, your body may tolerate some brands of birth control pills better than others.
Here are a couple of steps we suggest you consider when thinking about what birth control is best for you:
What are the side effects? Most doctors recommend staying on a new birth control pill for at least 2-3 months. However, different women experience different side effects, so if you try one and it’s not the right fit, be sure to tell your doctor so you can try a different pill.
What hormones would work best in my body? Most doctors will probably recommend a combined contraceptive, but if estrogen is a concern , you may want to consider a progestin-only pill.
Is it name-brand or generic? In general, when you are looking at name-brand birth controls, they will be more expensive. Depending on your insurance or budget, you may want to ask about the generic version of birth control
Why do I want to be on birth control? If you are simply looking for a contraception method, the pill you choose may be different from if you are looking for birth control for acne, or PMDD, etc. Be mindful of the fact that the pill does not protect against STDs.
What if I’m still not sure? Birth control is different for everybody, if you have any questions you should contact your doctor, or sign up for Pill Club to get in touch with an expert.
After A Miscarriage Or Abortion
If you have had a miscarriage or abortion, you can start the pill up to 5 days after this and you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start the pill more than 5 days after the miscarriage or abortion, you’ll need to use additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days.
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How Hormones Work In The Brain And Body
In order to feel happy and healthy, you need to have balanced hormones. Here is some important information to note about the differences between natural and synthetic hormones.
Natural hormones bind to specific receptors and keep your body in balance:
- Estrogen binds to the estrogen receptor.
- Progesterone binds to the progesterone receptor.
- Testosterone binds to the testosterone receptor .
- There is no cross-reactivity.
Synthetic progesterone acts differently on the body:
- Progestins do not limit binding with just the progesterone receptor, but many other receptors as well.
- When a synthetic hormone binds to the wrong receptor, that receptor may convey inaccurate signals, which throws the body off balance.
Because synthetic hormones may bind to the wrong receptors, birth control pills may cause hormone imbalances and detrimental side effects. Not all women experience these problems, but for those that do side effects can be quite miserable.
What Drugs Are In Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptives are medications that prevent pregnancy. They are one method of birth control. Oral contraceptives are hormonal preparations that may contain combinations of the hormones estrogen and progestin or progestin alone.
Then, what is the most common birth control pill?
The most popular is the birth control pill, including combination pills with estrogen and progestin, and the progestin only pill.
Also, what does birth control contain? Birth control pills contain man-made forms of 2 hormones called estrogen and progestin. These hormones are made naturally in a woman’s ovaries. BCPs can contain both of these hormones, or have progestin only.
Keeping this in consideration, what are the brands of birth control pills?
Common combination pill brand names include:
- Alesse.
- Desogen.
What hormone is in birth control pills?
Oral contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy. Estrogen and progestin are two female sex hormones. Combinations of estrogen and progestin work by preventing ovulation .
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Progesterone Only Birth Control Pills
There are some birth control pills without estrogen. These are called mini-pills and contain synthetic progesterone called progestin. Some women use these because they are breastfeeding or they cant take estrogen in the combined pill because they suffer migraine headaches or have a high risk of blood clots or heart disease.
Taken daily, the synthetic progestin:
Suppresses ovulation by stopping the production of the Luteinizing Hormone in your pituitary gland.
Triggers changes in the lining of the uterus, so that it is harder for an egg to implant there.
Causes a thickening in cervical mucus, which then makes it difficult for sperm to travel far enough to fertilize an egg.
Unlike the combined pill, the progestin-only mini-pill gives shorter birth control protection. If you miss a dose or even take it later than usual, you may not be covered for contraception, and you may also experience breakthrough bleeding.
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What Are Some Common Names Of Birth Control Pills
Examples of combination birth control pills include:
See a full list of combination birth control pills here.
A monthly period still occurs with the traditional, combination birth control pills. Women may also choose the extended or continuous dosing birth control pill, in which a period only occurs 4 times a years or is completely eliminated . It is also possible to completely eliminate periods by taking only the active pills continuously from a combination birth control pill package, and skipping the inactive pills. Ask your healthcare provider if this would be a good option for you.
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Can I Take The Pill If I’m Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers should avoid the estrogen in combined hormonal birth control as it may reduce milk supply. Birth control options for breastfeeding women include:
- IUDs
- Swelling or pain in the legs
- Chest pain, heart attack, blood clots, stroke
Other warnings and side effects exist for birth control pills. It is important to review the specific consumer information for the birth control of your choice and discuss any questions or concerns with your healthcare provider. Generic options of birth control pills may be available check with your pharmacist for cost-savings.
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin and herbal supplements. Certain medications may make your birth control less effective. Be sure you have complete drug interaction review each time you start a new medication.
Is There A Link Between Birth Control Pills And Higher Breast Cancer Risk
The need for safe, effective birth control is shared by many women around the world. More than 10 million American women use birth control pills. Besides effectively stopping unwanted pregnancies, birth control pills also help control other conditions, such as acne, PMS, heavy periods, and mood swings. Research also has shown that birth control pills can slightly lower the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
Effective, uncomplicated birth control is important for many women. But its also important that birth control be safe. There are concerns that because birth control pills use hormones to block pregnancy they may overstimulate breast cells, which can increase the risk of breast cancer.
The concern is greater if youre at high risk for breast cancer because of:
- a strong family history of the disease
- past breast biopsies showing abnormal cells
- you or someone in your family has an abnormal breast cancer gene
If youve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you SHOULD NOT use contraceptives that use hormones. Thats because theres evidence that these medicines might increase the risk of the cancer coming back .
The study was published in the Aug. 1, 2014 issue of Cancer Research. Read the abstract of Recent Oral Contraceptive Use by Formulation and Breast Cancer Risk among Women 20 to 49 Years of Age.
While these results sound very alarming, its important to know three things:
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Which Birth Control Pills Have The Most Estrogen
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Should I Avoid Certain Medications While Taking The Pill
You should always check with your healthcare provider before taking any new medications or herbal supplements. Certain drugs can make the pill less effective and increase your chances of getting pregnant. These products include:
- Antiseizure medications.
- Herbal supplements, such as St. Johns wort.
- Medications used to treat HIV.
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Types Of Birth Control Without Estrogen
Not only are our birth control needs individual, but they also change throughout our fertile lifetimes. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of seven birth control options without the hormone estrogen. Whether you cant or dont want to use estrogen, or are looking to go entirely hormone-free, read on to discover our list of 7 types of birth control without estrogen
Low Serotonin & Melatonin
When we think of hormonal health, neurotransmitter hormones like serotonin and melatonin usually dont take center stage. But they play an equally important role in keeping our body balanced as our main sex and thyroid hormones.
Serotonin helps to keep our moods balanced and regulating our appetite. Melatonin is the king of sleep. And without enough of these hormones, youll likely have trouble falling or staying asleep.
These two hormones also work together in the body. A process known as methylation converts serotonin to melatonin in the gut. When serotonin levels are low, youre more likely to also be deficient in melatonin.
Which is, unfortunately, often the case when it comes to hormonal birth control use.
The Pill has been shown to deplete levels of vitamins B12 and B6. Both of these vitamins are important cofactors in the production of serotonin.
Without enough B vitamins, you cant make enough serotonin. And without enough serotonin, you wont have enough melatonin. This leaves you more susceptible to feelings of anxiety, fatigue, and depression.
Pill-Related Depression
The connection between hormonal birth control and depression is real. And it goes far deeper than The Pills effects on serotonin and melatonin.
One study found that women who used hormonal birth control were 23% more likely to suffer from depression than women who didnt use The Pill.
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Does The Pill Protect Against Stds
Nope. The pill is really good at preventing pregnancy, but it wont protect you from sexually transmitted infections.
Luckily, using condoms every time you have sex really lowers your chances of getting or spreading STDs. Condoms also protect against pregnancy so using condoms + birth control pills together gives protection from STDs AND awesome pregnancy-preventing power.
Who Should Refrain From Consuming Low
If you fall under any of the following categories, low dose birth control options may not be a good idea for you:
- If you are a woman over 35 years of age and you also smoke.
- If you are pregnant.
- If you suffer from migraines with aura.
- If you presently have or have had breast cancer.
- If you have a family history of stroke, heart disease, or blood clots.
- If you suffer from hypertension .
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Best Birth Control Pill For Weight Loss
The birth control pill Yasmin is the only birth control pill that has this effect. It is not marketed as a weight loss pill, and women can only expect to lose maybe a pound or two in excess water. As always, making smarter diet choices and exercising are the only ways to prevent weight gain or promote weight loss.
With period cravings, it can be easy to eat all the food in the world. Of course you can eat the chocolate, but it is all about balance. We have some great delicious snacks that can help you beat the period munchies. Pandia Health is all about helping you live your healthiest, most fulfilling lifesnacks included!
Which Birth Control Pills Have The Least Side Effects
Over time the pill has improved and has fewer side effects while still being effective. The Office on Women’s Health says that the pill is safe for most women.
That said, there are birth control pills that are considered low-dose, like Lo Loestrin Fe mentioned above. However, women still report side effects from taking Lo Loestrin Fe, like headaches, nausea, and bleeding between periods .
The other type of birth control pill is called a mini-pill and only has 1 hormone, progestin. Mini-pills are usually prescribed if you’re sensitive to the effects of estrogen. The level of the hormone progestin is lower than the progestin level in combined birth control pills.
Though the side effects of birth control pills are generally the same, regardless of the brand or type, every woman’s experience of taking hormonal birth control is different.
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