Hormonal Contraceptive Methods prevent pregnancy by interfering with ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation of the fertilized egg.
Oral Contraceptives — Combined pill (“The pill”)
The pill contains the hormones oestrogen and progestin. It is taken daily to keep the ovaries from releasing an egg. The pill also causes changes in the lining of the uterus and the cervical mucus to keep the sperm from joining the egg. Since there are many types of oral contraceptives available, always talk with your doctor about which one is best for you.
Your doctor may advise you not to take the pill if you:
– Are older than 35 and smoke
– Have a history of blood clots
– Have a history of breast, liver, or endometrial cancer
– Need to be on antibiotics. Antibiotics may reduce how well the pill works in some women. Talk to your doctor about a backup method of birth control if you need to take antibiotics.
– If you are planning to breastfeed as they interfere with production of milk.
Common side effects include: Dizziness, Upset stomach, Changes in your period, Changes in mood, Weight gain, High blood pressure, Blood clots, Heart attack, Stroke, New vision problems
Oral contraceptives (progestin-only pill, or “mini-pill”)
These are pills that contain low doses of synthetic progestin. They can be used by a woman who is breastfeeding as they do not interfere with the production of milk. They work chiefly by:
– Causing cervical mucus to become too thick for sperm to reach the uterus. (This is probably the most important mechanism.)
– Suppressing ovulation. (This does not occur in all cases.) In addition, these pills alter fallopian tube motility (slowing the movement of the ovum toward the uterus) and cause the lining of the uterus to become less rich in blood vessels and unprepared for a fertilized egg to implant.
Common side effects include: Spotting or bleeding between periods, Weight gain, Sore breasts
The Patch
This skin patch is worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, outer arm, or upper body. It releases the hormones progestin and oestrogen into the bloodstream to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs in most women. It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg. You put on a new patch once a week for 3 weeks. You don’t use a patch the fourth week in order to have a period.
Common side effects include: Dizziness, Upset stomach, Changes in your period, Changes in mood, Weight gain, High blood pressure, Blood clots, Heart attack, Stroke, New vision problems
Shot/Injection
This is a birth control shot often called by its brand name Depo-Provera. With this method you get injections, or shots, of the hormone progestin in the buttocks or arm every 3 months. The birth control shot stops the ovaries from releasing an egg in most women. It also causes changes in the cervix that keep the sperm from joining with the egg. The shot should not be used more than 2 years in a row because it can cause a temporary loss of bone density. The loss increases the longer this method is used. The bone does start to grow after this method is stopped. But it may increase the risk of fracture and osteoporosis if used for a long time.
Common side effects include: Bleeding between periods, Weight gain, Sore breasts, Headaches, Bone loss with long-term use
