Oral Contraceptive Pills

Contraception is the method of not to get pregnant. There are numerous ways of contraception like oral contraceptive pills, condoms, female diaphragm, contraceptive foam and jelly, intrauterine devices, emergency contraception, injectable contraceptive medications, abstinence and permanent contraception.

Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP) or simply ‘pills’ are mostly used all over the world. This is an easy and safe way to prevent unwanted pregnancy. All you need to have is motivation and timely intake of the medicine.

There are different OCPs available in the market. Generally it is composed of two hormones – estrogen and progesterone. The ways OCPs prevent pregnancy are –

It prevents the formation of a viable ovum inside the ovary.

It prevents the development of an ovum.

It prevents the sperm to fertilize an ovum.

And lastly, it prevents the ‘nidation’ (deposition of a fertilized ovum inside the uterus).

OCP is very much safe. After regular use of OCP, three among 1000 users will get pregnant. The negative aspect of OCP is that it can not prevent transmission of any Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The concurrent use of condoms is recommended.

Commercially available OCPs have 28 hormonal tablets and another 7 iron tablets. You have to take the 1^st hormonal tablet from the very first day of menstruation. After consuming 28^th hormonal tablets, continue the iron medication. When the pack is finished, start using a fresh pack. Generally all these are mentioned in the medicine pack.

Do not start using OCPs without consulting a doctor. OCPs are notorious for some its side effects. For the high risk patients, OCP can cause high blood pressure, deep venous thrombosis and weight gain. These are some rare and serious complications. Mild nausea, vomiting, headache, and abdominal cramps are common. But, generally OCPs are well tolerated.

The advantages of OCPS are –

Pills are safe and convenient to use.

OCPs decrease the risk of developing ovarian and uterine carcinomas. There are reports on reducing the chance of breast cancer also.

Menstrual cramps are significantly reduced. Endometriosis is also suppressed by OCPs.

Post menopausal women are having lower of estrogen and progesterone in the blood. They are prescribed OCPs to treat this problem (Hormonal Replacement Therapy).

As OCP packs contain 7 iron tablets, it helps to prevent anemia among women.

Women enjoy sex more while on OCPs as they are certain that she would not get pregnant.

Now let us know about the disadvantages of OCPs –

It does not offer any protection from getting a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) including AIDS. The male partner will have to use a condom.

You have to remember to take pills everyday, at the same time.

There are some cases of spotting (bleeding through vagina) among the first time users.

Women may miss her periods. Sometimes menstrual bleeding occurs for a single day only. One has to get the knowledge of it that she may not experience menstrual bleeding at all for initial couple of months.

Headaches, depressions weight gain are some common side effects of OCPs. But these are mild and transitional.

There are some reports of increased chance of having cervical carcinoma. But the rate is very low.

Pill users can not smoke. The combined use will have three to fold increased risk of having high blood pressure and stroke.

To conclude, OCPs are one of the best contraceptives available at the market at present. Careful use of Oral Contraceptive pills will avert unwanted pregnancies.