Birth control pills contain estrogen and progesterone and stop ovulation in a woman who takes them for 21 days. In addition, by thickening the cervical secretions, they reduce the entry of sperm into the uterus and make the inside of the uterus unsuitable for pregnancy. In the first month after the drug is stopped, everything returns to its original state, and the chance of pregnancy starts again.
According to the figures from the World Health Organization, the success rate is 99.7%. If there is a usage error, the failure rate increases. It should not be forgotten that the effect of birth control pills may decrease in women who use drugs continuously for other reasons. These include epilepsy drugs, some antibiotics, some fungicides, and antiviral drugs.
Hormonal Methods
Hormonal methods, as the name suggests, prevent pregnancy by affecting the hormonal balance in your body. These:
Birth control pill
Birth control pills prevent the woman from ovulating by regulating the hormone balance properly. In this case, pregnancy does not occur because the formation of the egg to be fertilized by the sperm cannot be achieved. It is one of the most preferred birth control methods. With regular use of pills, contraception is up to 99% effective.
When couples want to have a baby, they can stop using the pill. After stopping the use of the pill, the factors that prevent ovulation disappear, and there is no problem that will prevent pregnancy. Although the pills prevent pregnancy, it has been observed that they can be effective in the regulation of menstruation and in the treatment of ovarian cysts.
Benefits of Birth Control Pills
Proven benefits include:
- They reduce ovarian cancer. This decrease is 20% for those who have used it for 5 years and 50% for those who have used it for 15 years.
- It reduces uterine cancer.
- It treats bleeding irregularities.
- It reduces excessive menstrual bleeding and prevents anemia.
- It reduces painful menstruation.
- It reduces ovarian cysts.
- It reduces breast disease.
- It reduces the risk of colon cancer.
Can anyone use birth control pills?
It is not suitable for every woman to use. People who find it inconvenient to use birth control pills can be listed as follows:
- Those in the postpartum period: 6 weeks for breastfeeding, 3 weeks for non-breastfeeding
- People over 35 who smoke at least 15 cigarettes a day
- Those with hypertension (160 mmHg systolic or 100 mmHg diastolic)
- Those with a history of venous thromboembolism or pulmonary embolism
- Those with ischemic heart disease
- Those with a history of cerebrovascular accidents
- Those with migraines with aura
- Active breast cancer patients
- Diabetic patients with retinopathy, nephropathy, or neuropathy
- People with diabetes over the age of 20
- Those with severe cirrhosis and liver tumors
- Viral hepatitis patients
- Those with certain genetic conditions that predispose them to clotting
Other birth control methods can be listed as follows:
- Spiral
- protection pin
- implants
- birth control patch
- the next day's pill
- condom