Know the types of birth control pills and ask your questions with experts

Used by thousands of people, the contraceptive pill is one of the main contraceptive methods. Composed, most of the time, by the combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, the pill acts directly on the female reproductive system, reducing the chances of pregnancy. To clarify some doubts on the subject, we talked to gynecologists and obstetricians Maria Wyramara (CRM 22346 | RQE 9548) and Juliana Ribeiro (CRM 152931 | RQE 70719). Check out!

How does the birth control pill work?

As stated in the headline, the contraceptive pill is a drug that focuses on the hormones of the female reproductive system, preventing ovulation.

For a better understanding, Dr. Maria explains that “the menstrual cycle starts from the first day of menstruation, and goes until the last day before the next menstruation. Around the middle of the menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs, which is nothing more than the release of the egg through the ovary, this egg is captured by the fallopian tube and can be fertilized by the sperm, initiating the gestation process “. In this way, the pill “interferes with the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, blocking ovulation”, adds Dr. Juliana.

Regarding the effectiveness of this contraceptive method, the doctor Juliana also states that if the use of the drug has variation in schedules or forgetfulness, its success will be affected, with “7 to 8 cases of failure for every 100 users per year”.

On the other hand, gynecologist Maria says that if used correctly, the effectiveness of the pill increases, reaching only 0.3% chance of failure. “To better explain this value in numbers, in 1 year, for every 1000 women who use oral contraceptives, in the correct way, 3 can get pregnant”, says the doctor.

How to choose the best contraceptive

We asked the professionals what the best contraceptive pill to use, both were categorical in stating that there is no better drug. “There is no such thing as the best contraceptive. There is one that best suits a woman’s needs during that period of life, and that can change over time,” said Juliana.

Contributing to this thought, Maria explained “it’s like a pair of jeans, they’re all basically made from the same type of fabric, but there’s no such thing as a perfect pair of jeans that fits every body type. The suitability will depend on the biotype of each woman”.

Questions about the birth control pill

Used by several women, and with different compositions, many doubts arise about the contraceptive pill, even for those who have been using it for some time. Therefore, we ask for the help of experts to answer the main questions. See below:

What is the correct way to take the birth control pill?

Maria Wyramara (MW): the first contraceptive pack should be started, preferably, on the first, second or third day of menstruation. It is recommended that the use be done daily, always at the same time, to have a good effectiveness.

Does the birth control pill make you fat?

Juliana Ribeiro (JR): the contraceptive pill does not make you fat. However, there is a minor weight gain that may be associated with the fluid retention caused by the drug.

Does the birth control pill prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

MW and JR : The only contraceptive that prevents sexually transmitted infections is the female or male condom.

After how long does the contraceptive pill start to take effect?

JR : the start of prevention will depend on when the patient started using it, for example, if the pill was started on the first day of the cycle, that is, on the first day of menstruation, it is effective from the first pill.

MW : the contraceptive pill, when started from the first day of menstruation, has good contraceptive effectiveness from the first 15 days of starting the contraceptive pack, but as the drug is subject to each woman’s body, consult your doctor.

What happens when a woman forgets to take her birth control pill?

MW and JR : Forgetting to take a pill can lead to failures in the effectiveness of the drug. Depending on the time of forgetting, which pill was forgotten, and how many pills were forgotten, ovulation may not be blocked in that cycle, leading to the risk of an unwanted pregnancy, that is, prevent yourself with other contraceptive methods in this period.

It’s always good to stay informed about the substances you ingest, especially when it comes to medication. We hope to have resolved some doubts. Even so, we emphasize that an evaluation with an expert is necessary.

Types of birth control pill

According to gynecologists, birth control pills are divided into two types. Both types prevent against pregnancy, but act in the body differently. See below:

Combined birth control pill

According to doctors, the combined pill is made up of the synthetic hormones estrogen and progesterone. The combination helps in controlling female hormone levels that cause ovulation. In addition, combined pills are subdivided into monophasic and multiphasic pills. The monophasic ones have the same amount of hormone in all the pills in the pack. The multiphasic ones, on the other hand, seek to reproduce the hormonal variations that occur in each phase of the menstrual cycle.

progesterone birth control pill

Unlike combined pills, progesterone contraceptives do not have estrogen in their composition. The drug also works to prevent pregnancy, and its prescription is made to avoid the side effects caused by estrogen in some people. In addition, its use is extended to lactating, obese and people at risk of thrombosis. Generally, this type of pill has continuous use, with packs of 28 pills.

Regardless of the type, the advantages of the contraceptive pill are diverse. In addition to its contraceptive efficacy, it “may help control abnormal uterine bleeding, improve menstrual cramps, reduce symptoms of premenstrual tension (PMS). Improvement of symptoms correlated with hyperandrogenism due to micropolycystic ovary syndrome”, says gynecologist Maria. In addition, according to Dr. Juliana, the drug also has “ease of use, rapid return to fertility, are widely available, can improve skin, acne, reduced flow, improves colic, prevents ovarian and endometrial cancer.” .

However, like any medicine, the contraceptive pill has contraindications. Dr. Juliana explains that she has “risk of thrombotic, cardiovascular or liver disease events”. And Maria points out: “like any other medication, it has several contraindications and possible side effects”.

For each organism there will be the most suitable pill, with fewer side effects and the right amount of hormones. Therefore, consult a gynecologist.

Experiences with the contraceptive pill

There is a lot of important information about the birth control pill and, of course, the best people to discuss the subject are those who understand it. Therefore, the videos below have some important information. Watch below:

What women want to know about using the contraceptive pill

In this video, gynecologist and obstetrician Débora Tonetti answers some relevant questions about the use of this contraceptive method, used by thousands of women.

How the contraceptive pill works

Specialist in the treatment of endometriosis, gynecologist Fernando Guastella explains how the action of the pill in the female body occurs, revealing some benefits and clarifying doubts.

The biggest myths about the birth control pill

On her channel dedicated to women’s health, Dr. Laura Lucia explains about the biggest myths surrounding the use of the contraceptive pill, revealing whether they are true or not.

The impacts of continuous use of the contraceptive pill

The gynecologist and obstetrician Igor Padovesi, graduated from USP, tells in this video from his channel, about the benefits and risks of the continuous use of the contraceptive pill.

Every body is a body, and every woman is a woman. Always seek the opinion of your doctor to find out what best fits your situation and your body. And if you like this subject, you will also like to check out this article about menstrual cycle.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.