What are oral contraceptive pills?
The oral contraceptive pills are birth control pills, containing the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone that help to prevent pregnancy by altering their levels inside the body.
What are the different types of OCP’s?
There are two different types of OCP’s, they are: progestogen-only pills (also known as the mini pill), and the combined pill, which contains both an estrogen and a progestogen. The progesterone only pills are more suited for postpartum women who are breast feeding their baby.
How do they work?
During the first half of the menstrual cycle, estrogen hormone levels increase. This peak causes the pituitary gland (situated in the brain), to release luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This in turn triggers the ovaries to produce an egg/ovum and release it in the process called as Ovulation. This occurs usually around 14 days from the start of the menstrual cycle. By taking the oral contraceptives containing synthetic estrogens, the estrogen levels in the body remain constant/stable. Hence, without this peak in estrogen levels, ovulation does not take place.
The constant progesterone levels in the body as a result of taking oral contraceptives, prevents the thickening of the uterine wall, making it difficult for the ovum that are produced to attach. They also thicken the cervical mucus, making it difficult for the sperms to reach the uterus and fertilize the ovum. These additional mechanisms make it difficult for pregnancy to occur.
What are the benefits of OCP’s?
- Prevents pregnancy
- Protects against cancer of the lining of the uterus(endometrial cancer), ovarian cancer, Pelvic inflammatory diseases.
- May help protect against: ovarian cysts, iron deficiency anemia.
- Reduces: menstrual cramps, menstrual bleeding problems, irregular bleeding.
- There is no delay in return of fertility after taking OCP’s.
- Thay are controlled by woman, can be stopped at any time without
What are the side effects of OCP’s?
Lighter bleeding, Headache, dizziness, Nausea, Mild increase in blood pressure, Very rare: blood clots in deep veins of legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)