Contraceptive Pills and Its Side Effects - Follow Barrier Methods

Caution: Don’t take following pills with out consult your health professional

These details are “for Information only”

Oral Contraceptives –

 "The Pill"

The Pill is a tablet containing synthetic hormones and taken on a daily basis. When absorbed into a woman’s bloodstream it prevents the release of the egg from the ovary, thickens cervical mucous, which hinders the passage of sperm, and thins the lining of the uterus which minimizes the chances of fertilization. The freedom the Pill gives has been of enormous psychological benefit to women since the 1960's. The pill is available in most countries throughout the world

The combined Pill contains synthetic forms of the hormones oestrogen and progestogen which interfere with the woman's regular 28 day menstrual cycle. When the Pill keeps the hormone level artificially constant, the signal to ovulate is canceled out. Between them, the two hormones stop you from getting pregnant. The main way in which they do this is by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulating) each month.

Oral contraceptives should be taken each day at approximately the same time for maximum effectiveness.

• if the pill is forgotten one day it should be taken as soon as remembered and the normal routine resumed;
• for two days in a row take two the day remembered and two the next;
• if the pill is taken more than 12 hours late at any point during the cycle another form of contraception must be used or intercourse avoided for the remainder of the cycle;
• If three or more consecutive pills are missed the packet for that cycle should be thrown away and a new packet started after the next menstrual period.

It is important to use another form of contraception during the first two weeks of the next prescription.

The Pill's effectiveness can be affected by the following:

• certain antibiotics
• diarrhoea
• forgetting pills
• vomiting

Before the Pill is prescribed a thorough medical examination should be carried out by your health professional to check blood pressure, breasts and pelvis. This form of contraception is not recommended for women who have a history of:

• angina pectoris
• blood clots in the legs or lungs (thrombosis)
• diabetes and heart disease
• high blood pressure
• obesity
• smoking
• tumours in the breast or sex organs
• unusual, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• varicose veins

As the following serious side effects can occur:

• heart attacks (coronary thrombosis)
• strokes
• thrombosis (clotting) in the leg veins, possibly leading to a clot in the lung

Advantages

• No interruption between foreplay and intercourse
• May decrease menstrual cramps and pain
• Highly effective
• Regular menstrual cycle
• Decreased menstrual flow
• Predictable menstrual cycles
• Provides some protection against Tubal infection called PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
• Reduced risks of certain diseases**

Disadvantages

• Side effects
• Changes in body chemistry *
• Reduction in blood levels of folic acid, Vitamins B6, B12, and C***

*side effects include:

• abnormal blood-clotting
• bloating
• breast tenderness or enlargement
• chance of circulatory problems is greater in women who smoke or are over 35
  danger to a developing fetus if oral contraceptives used immediately before pregnancy
• formation of tumours
• gall bladder disease
• headaches
• heart diseases
• improvement or worsening of acne
• increased or decreased sex drive slightly increased risk of breast cancer, cancer of the cervix and a very rare type of liver cancer that has been linked to the Pill
• light or missed periods
• moodiness or depression
• nausea
• spotting between periods
• stroke
• vomiting
• weight gain or loss
• yeast infections

Symptoms may often be alleviated by switching to a different type of pill.

** Reduces risk of:

• benign breast diseases
• developing bowel cancer
• cancer of the endometrium
• iron-deficiency anaemia
• cancer of the womb
• fibrocystic breasts
• iron deficiency anaemia
• ovarian cancer
• ovarian cysts
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

*** Pill users should eat more foods containing these vitamins or take dietary supplements.

Call your medical practitioner immediately should the following occur:

• abdominal pain (severe)
• bad headaches
• chest pain
• coughing up blood
• eye problems (vision loss, blurring, or flashing lights)
• numbness or weakness in arms and legs
• severe leg pain in calf or thigh
• shortness of breath
• shortness of breath

The mini-pill, the progestogen only Pill (POP)

Is not a low dose Pill, but one containing a single hormone, progestogen which thickens the secretions in the cervix making it difficult for sperm to pass. The combined Pill is far more popular than the mini-Pill. Progestogen is an artificially manufactured hormone very like progesterone, one of the female hormones the body produces. The mini-Pill does not contain any oestrogen which is responsible for many of the combined Pill's side effects.

The Mini-Pill should be taken at the same time of day every day, even when you are menstruating. You may easily get pregnant if you do not take it every day. Even if you are more than three hours late in taking it you could fall pregnant. Set yourself a fixed time of day to take the mini-Pill, maybe suppertime or bedtime. The mini-Pill would probably not be suitable for you if:

• you are unreliable at taking tablets regularly
• you work shift work or in a job such as on an airline where hours are irregular and disrupted

The Mini-Pill is suitable for women:

• who are at special risk of heart disease or strokes (DO NOT TAKE the mini-Pill without consulting a specialist)
• who are breast-feeding mums
• who are over 40 who have been medically advised not to take the Pill
• who are heavy smokers
• who cannot take oestrogen

Doctors may refuse to prescribe the mini-Pill if you:

• are too obese as the mini-Pill may not provide a big enough dose
• have an abnormally high cholesterol or other blood fats
• have breast cancer
• have ever had an ectopic pregnancy
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding

Advantages

• No interruption between foreplay and intercourse
• Can be used when breast feeding as it does not suppress lactation like the combined Pill.
• Fewer side effects than Combined Pill

Disadvantages

• Side effects*
• Has to be taken every single day of the year with no breaks at all, even during your period.
• Not quite as effective as the ordinary Pill (about as effective as an IUD)
• If you become pregnant while taking the mini-Pill the pregnancy might be ectopic (that is outside the womb)

*The side effects are:

• headaches
• irregular periods
• nausea
• ovarian cysts
• periods may stop
• skin spots
• tender breasts

As mentioned above, if you would like to use the contraceptive pill please visit your local health care provider. The pill is available in most countries throughout the world

Implant (Norplant)

Norplant is a relatively new contraceptive method which involves six matchstick-size implants being inserted in the skin of a woman’s inner arm in a fan-like pattern under a local anaesthetic in a simple, almost pain free procedure. These sticks release a continuous low dosage of a synthetic hormone into the bloodstream inhibiting ovulation and thickening the cervical mucous. It causes changes in the lining of the uterus that interfere with the ability of fertilized eggs to implant in the uterus. Norplant is one of the most effective methods of birth control available to women today and is effective for five years, but may be removed earlier if desired

Advantages

• No interruption between foreplay and intercourse
• No inconvenience of a pill
• Implant site is comfortable and barely visible
• Effective within 24 hours after insertion
• Effectiveness rates high
• Can use while breast-feeding starting six weeks after delivery

Disadvantages

• Side effects*
• Implants may be slightly visible

* Side effects include:

• acne
• breast tenderness
• change in appetite
• depression
• dermatitis
• enlargement of the ovaries and/or fallopian tubes
• hair growth or loss
• headaches
• infection at insertion site (rare)
• irregular bleeding s
• nausea
• nervousness
• pregnancies, which rarely occur, are more likely to be ectopic (in the fallopian tubes)
• prolonged menstrual bleeding
• scarring and/or discoloration of the skin at insertion site
• skipped periods
• spotting between periods
• small amount of bleeding each day while using Norplant
• weight gain or loss

Seek immediate medical attention should the following occur:

• arm pain
• blurred vision
• delayed periods after a long interval of regular periods
• expulsion of an implant
• heavy vaginal bleeding
• migraine headaches
• pus or bleeding at the insertion site
• repeated very painful headaches
• severe lower abdominal pain

Implant

This is new on the market and can only be administered by doctors and nurses who have been trained to insert it. Effectiveness rates are difficult to asses because of its newness. To date, however, no women taking part in the research trials has become pregnant. A check up 3 months after the insertion of the implant should be undertaken and the implant should not be left in place for longer than 3 years.

Implanon's active ingredient is Etonogestrel Organon, which is a synthetic form of the naturally occurring female sex hormone, progesterone. In a woman's normal menstrual cycle, an egg matures and is released from the ovaries (ovulation), which then produces progesterone, preventing the release of further eggs and priming the lining of the womb for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels in the body remain high, maintaining the womb lining. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels in the body fall, resulting in a menstrual period.

The etonogestrel implant is injected under the skin of the arm to slowly release the hormone into the body, maintaining a high level of the hormone in the blood. It provides contraception for 3 years but can removed at any time by your doctor or family planning nurse.

Etonogestrel works by tricking the body into thinking that ovulation has already occurred, by maintaining high levels of the synthetic progesterone which prevents the release of eggs from the ovaries. It also increases the thickness of this mucus by affecting the natural mucus at the neck of the womb (cervix) making it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb.

This medicine will not protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted diseases, so you should use a condom to provide this protection. In women who are heavier than normal, the contraceptive effect of this implant may not last for 3 years. Also consult your doctor if you are to be immobilized for a long time due to surgery or illness.

Implanon should be used with caution in people with a history of:

• blood clots in the blood vessels (thromboembolism)
• breast cancer
• decreased liver function
• diabetes
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• a tendency to suffer from irregular yellowish-brown skin patches on the face and other areas often due to pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives (chloasma) - avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation whilst using this implant

Implanon should not be used in:

• a type of cancer affected by progestogens
• blood clots in the blood vessel (thrombosis) that may travel through the vessels (thromboembolism)
• current or previous severe liver disease
• pregnancy or suspected pregnancy (may be present in breast milk)
• vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
• allergy to one or any of its ingredients (stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction)

Advantages

• No interruption between foreplay and intercourse
• No inconvenience of a pill
• Implant site is comfortable and barely visible
• Effective within 24 hours after insertion
• Effectiveness rates high

Disadvantages

• Side effects*
• Implants may be slightly visible

*Side effects include:

• abdominal pain
• abnormal or irregular menstrual bleeding
• acne
• breast tenderness or pain
• bruising at site of implant
• changes in sex drive
• depression
• difficult and painful menstruation (dysmenorrhoea)
• hair loss (alopecia)
• headache
• increased risk of breast cancer
• irritation, pain or itching at site of implant
• rise in blood pressure
• weight gain

The etonogestrel implant's contraceptive effectiveness may be reduced if taking the following medicines:

• Rifamycins such as Rifabutin and Rifampicin
• antiepileptic medicines such as Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital and Primidone
• Griseofulvin

Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines as a barrier method of contraception such as condoms may be required

Injection

Depo-Provera

Depro-Provera is a highly effective form of contraception. An injection of a progestogen hormone which is slowly released into the body is given once every three months. This prevents ovulation and interferes with eggs leaving the ovaries, as well as causing a thickening of the cervical mucus and changes in the lining of the uterus which prevents sperm from entering the uterus.

Before commencing Depro-Provera a medical examination is required to check blood pressure, breasts and pelvis the injection is given in the buttocks or upper arm. Depro-Provera begins to give protection against pregnancy within 24 hours of the first injection, which must be given within five days of the beginning of a period unless the woman has been using the Pill or an IUD. As the effect slowly wears off over time protection from pregnancy after the 3 month mark is not assured.

Noristerat is a similar injection which gives contraceptive protection for eight weeks.

At the present time Depo-Provera is far more widely used than Noristerat.

You should not have injections if you:

• have any type of heart disease
• have breast or womb cancer
• have liver disease or jaundice
• have sickle cell anaemia
• have suffered from bad depression
• might be pregnant

Advantages

• No interruption between foreplay and intercourse
• No inconvenience of a pill
• Highly effective
• Elimination of monthly periods after extended use
• May give some protection against cancer of the womb
• Protects against cancer of the lining of the uterus and iron deficiency anaemia
• Can be used while breast-feeding immediately after delivery

Disadvantages

• Side effects*
• Side effects cannot be neutralized or reversed should side until the effects wear off after 3 months
• It takes an average of 9-10 months to fall pregnant after ceasing injections
• Some prescribed medicines adversely affect the contraception injection's effectiveness
• Not effective against sexually transmitted infection
• Return of regular periods and fertility may be delayed for up to a year after the last injection
• Side effects not reversed until medication wears off (up to 12 weeks)
• May cause delay in getting pregnant after shots are stopped

*Side effects include:

• abdominal pain
• acne
• depression
• dizziness
• fluid retention
• headache
• increased appetite
• increased or decreased sex drive
• increased risk of blood clots or stroke
• irregular periods
• menstrual changes
• mental depression
• mild hair loss
• pregnancy symptoms
• pregnancies, which rarely occur, are more likely to be ectopic (in the fallopian tubes)
• prolonged menstrual bleeding
• small increased risk of breast cancer
• spotting between periods
• stomach aches
• tender breast
• very little bleeding or no bleeding at all
• weakness
• weight changes

Seek immediate medical advice should you have:

• bad headaches
• blurred vision
• chest or abdominal pain
• excessive bleeding
• numbness
• pain, pus or bleeding at injection site
• severe leg pain

Please Note

This article is for information only. Dont take any medicines/ procedures without consulting the Doctor or Specialist – We are not responsible for the effects

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