Tag Archives: Let’s Talk Contraception

Let’s Talk Contraception: The Mini-Pill or Progestin-Only Pill

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Birth control pills usually contain progestin and estrogen, which are both sex hormones. Progestin-only birth control pills (POPs) are sometimes called the mini-pill because they don’t contain estrogen. If you are concerned about taking estrogens because you have high blood pressure, migraines, heart disease, or a history of blood clots, but still would like to take an oral contraceptive, this may be an option for you. It is also a good choice if you are a new mother and breastfeeding.

Progestin-only pills don’t contain estrogen, making them a good option for some people.

POPs are used in the same way as other birth control pills. They come in packs of 28 pills. You take one pill at the same time each day and after the last pill in the pack is taken, you start a new pack the next day; there is no skipping days. Because there is a slightly greater risk of becoming pregnant on progestin-only pills, you must be very careful to take each pill at the same time each day and never miss a day. If your period is late and you missed one or more pills or took them late, you may need to take a pregnancy test.

The effects of POPs are easily reversible and after stopping these pills your chances of getting pregnant should not be delayed. Continue reading →

Let’s Talk Contraception: What’s the Difference Between Generic and Brand-Name Birth Control?

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Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) have been around for decades, and many are now available as generics. In general, generics cost less than brand-name medications. Despite saving money, some users question whether generic birth control pills are as “good” as brand-name pills. To confuse the situation, new brand-name birth control pills have been developed that specifically claim other benefits in addition to protection from pregnancy, such as treatment of acne. The cost of these brand-name pills is much higher. To understand the generic vs. brand-name debate, it is first important to understand how drugs are developed.

Clinical evidence doesn’t support the idea that generic birth control pills have different failure rates or side effects than their name-brand counterparts.

When a drug is first discovered and developed it goes through a drug review process. This involves many steps: chemistry experiments to discover the active chemical structure of the drug, manufacturing and testing the chemical drug product, inspections of the manufacturing process, and many other developmental studies. Then there are animal studies to check safety and efficacy — and if the drug works without major side effects. Finally, clinical studies are conducted in people; these studies test to assure bioavailability (the amount of time it takes for the body to absorb the drug). These last tests, in animals and people, show bioequivalence. Bioequivalence means the drug must enter the body, be absorbed in the same time frame, and work in the body the same way consistently.

When a new drug is finally approved by the FDA, it has met strict standards regarding its strength, purity, quality, potency, safety, and clinical effectiveness. New drugs are awarded patents for 20 years, but by the time they come to market, much of that time has run out due to all of the testing requirements. Generics are usually less expensive — manufacturers do not need to repeat discovering the drug, nor must they redo animal and human studies to assure the drug is safe and works as intended. The generic companies also do not need to spend as much money on advertising, marketing, and promotion. Continue reading →

Let’s Talk Contraception: Taking Birth Control Pills Properly

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Failure to take birth control pills properly can cause a lot of anxiety, and even lead to pregnancy. For best results, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Oral contraceptives (also known as birth control pills or BCPs) are used to prevent pregnancy. Taken properly, they are about 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. They are even more effective when used in combination with other birth-control methods, such as condoms.

There are many different brands of birth control pills. Most contain a combination of the two female hormones estrogen and progesterone, but there are some BCPs that only contain progesterone. These different brands may need to be taken in slightly different ways and may have different benefits and risks, but whichever type you use, it’s very important to take them properly to get the most benefit.

You cannot take a birth control pill only when you remember to or just after you’ve had a sexual encounter — they must be taken daily.

First of all, it’s important to know which oral contraceptive you are taking. These pills usually come in packs of 21, 28, or 91 tablets and need to be taken daily.

  • Packs of 21: Take one pill each day until all 21 are gone, then don’t take a pill for seven days – this is when you should have your period. After seven days off, start a new pack of 21 pills.
  • Packs of 28: Take one pill each day, and when you finish with the pack start a new pack the next day. Sometimes these packs have pills with different colors that contain different doses of the hormones or inactive ingredients, vitamins, or minerals. They must be taken in order.
  • Packs of 91: The 91-tablet pack is larger and may contain three trays – take one pill each day until all 91 pills have been taken and then start the new pack of 91 pills the next day. Continue reading →