Mechanism of action of contraceptive pills

Contraceptive pills are oral medications to prevent pregnancy from occurring. This is one of the most effective and convenient methods of end-to-end contraception. Understanding the mechanism of action as well as the side effects of the contraceptive pill will help us have a certain basis to choose the right medicine for us.

1. Contraceptives

Contraceptive pills have 2 types:

  • Combined contraceptive pill : Isa synthetic drug of 2 hormones estrogen and progestin;
  • Progestin-only contraceptives: The drug contains only the hormone progestin without estrogen, also known as minipill. This drug may be useful in cases where women cannot use estrogen for health or other reasons.

Not all drugs are suitable for the state of health of the woman, therefore you should rely on the advice of a doctor. Some factors that may affect the choice of contraceptives include:

  • Menstrual conditions;
  • Is it a breastfeeding subject?
  • Cardiovascular health;
  • Other chronic diseases may have;
  • Other medications are taking.

Contraceptive pills when taken correctly can achieve contraceptive efficiency of up to over 90%. However, it does not protect women from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

Contraceptive pills

Choose your contraceptive pill thoroughly

2. Mechanism of action of contraceptive pills

Pregnancy is defined as when a woman's egg (released from the ovaries) is fertilized by a man's sperm. The egg after fertilization will nest inside the uterus, where it receives adequate nutrients to gradually grow into a baby. Hormones in the woman's body will prevent further ovulation from occurring and prepare the body for acceptance of fertilized eggs.

Based on this mechanism of pregnancy, the contraceptive pill works as follows:

Combined contraceptive pills

The combined contraceptive pill works in 2 ways. First, it prevents ovulation from occurring, that is, causing the ovaries to no longer release eggs monthly. Besides, it also thickens the mucus in the cervical – this substance has the effect of helping sperm move easily to the uterus and fertilize with eggs. Thickening mucus will prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

Progestin-only contraceptives

This drug also works in various ways, but mainly thickens the lining of the uterus so that sperm cannot meet the egg; thinning the lining of the uterus so that even if the egg is fertilized, it is less likely to nest in the uterus.

This drug is valid only when you drink regularly every day at the same time frame, if taken later than 3 hours, another contraceptive must be taken. So if you can't be sure you'll always take your medication on time, you shouldn't take it this way.

Contraceptive pills contain only progestin that do not contain estrogen, so it can be given to breastfeeding mothers. The drug does not affect the amount of milk secreted as well as the quality of milk.

Contraceptive pills

Progestin-only contraceptives used for breastfeeding mothers

3. How effective is the contraceptive pill?

If used properly, the contraceptive pill can be very effective. Both combination drugs and progestin-only drugs have a failure rate of 9% when used in practice. That means nine in every 100 women who use the drug will become pregnant.

To achieve the best contraceptive effect, the progestin-containing drug must be taken in the same timeline and be skewed only by a maximum of 3 hours a day. The combined drug is more flexible, the time of drinking can deviate from each other for up to 12 hours a day and still have the effect of protecting the body from pregnancy.

It should be noted that some of the following drugs can reduce the contraceptive effect of the contraceptive pill:

  • Rifampin (an antibiotic);
  • Some HIV medications such as lopinavir and saquinavir;
  • Some anti-kinh drugs such as carbamazepine and topiramate.

In addition, contraceptive pills are also less effective if taken when you have diarrhea or vomiting.

Advantages of combined contraceptives

Contraceptive pills for menstrual disorders

4. Benefits of contraceptive pills

Contraceptive pills have a number of benefits:

  • Prevent pregnancy 24/7, help you no longer have to worry about unsymed pregnancies during intersable;
  • Has a better contraceptive effect than most other methods of contraception;
  • Helps regulate menstruation: Especially useful for women with irregular menstruation or menstruation ;
  • Easily return to normal: If you stop taking the drug, the menstrual cycle will return to normal and you can get pregnant soon after.

Combined contraceptive pills can have an effect against the following pathology phenomena:

  • Acne;
  • Extra-intra-uterus pregnancy;
  • Osteoporosis;
  • Mammary fibroids;
  • Endometrial cancer;
  • Anemia;
  • Cramps during menstruation.

Contraceptive pills containing only progestin in addition to effective contraception are safer for women with the following characteristics:

  • Estrogen therapy cannot be used;
  • Smokers;
  • People over 35 years old;
  • People with a history of thrombosis;
  • The one who's breastfeeding.

What diseases should women periodically check

Talk to your doctor about how to take your medication properly

5. Disadvantages of contraceptive pills

Contraceptive pills cannot protect women from sexually transmitted diseases if they do not take additional condoms.

Also another disadvantage of the contraceptive pill is that it requires users to remember to take the pill on time every day, always have a new package available to replace as soon as the old package has just run out to ensure not to miss any one pill. If this happens, the risk of pregnancy increases.

Besides, some side effects of contraceptive pills are also noted in women such as:

  • Decreased libido;
  • Nausea;
  • Abnormal bleeding;
  • Breast pain.

These manifestations may disappear after a few months of use of the contraceptive pill. But if they do not disappear, you need to contact your doctor for examination and advice on whether to switch to another drug.

Another more serious risk of using contraceptives – especially coordinated medications – is an increased risk of blood clots, leading to:

  • Formation of deep vein thrombosis;
  • Heart attack;
  • Stroke;
  • Pulmonary embolism.

However, in general, the risk of blood clot formation when using any contraceptive pill is quite low. According to the American Society of Obstetricsand Gynecology, of the 10,000 women, up to 10 will have a blood clot after taking a combined contraceptive pill for 1 year. This risk is still lower than the risk of blood clot formation during pregnancy and immediately after birth.

Knowledge of the mechanism of action of the contraceptive pill as well as its side effects and risks will be the basis for women to consider before deciding whether to take them or not, if any, which one to take. To ensure the effectiveness of contraception while still safe for health, you should see a doctor for the most complete advice.

For direct advice, please click hotline number or register online HERE. In addition, you can register for remote consultation HERE

Reference source: webmd.com; healthline.com

SEE MORE:

  • How long does breastfeeding stop after taking the emergency contraceptive pill Maxx Victoria?
  • Non-enderthormonal birth control options
  • Delay the menstrual cycle with end-of-end contraceptives

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

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