.: About the Oral Contraceptive Pill
Oral contraceptive pills (OCs) are one of the most researched and reliable forms of birth control available. "The Pill" has been a popular choice of contraception for women of all ages for the last 40 years! But is the Pill right for you or is something else better?
Since the oral contraceptive pill is only available by prescription from your health care provider, he or she will help you determine if the Pill is right for you.
.: An Ideal Birth Control Choice
For many women, the Pill is the ideal birth control choice. When used as directed, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) offer approximately 99% protection against pregnancy. With typical use, combined oral contraceptives offer about 99% protection against pregnancy.
All birth control pills contain a progestin -- a synthetic form of the natural female hormone progesterone. Combination OCs also contain estrogen, and in this country, all combination OCs use the estrogen ethinyl estradiol. Today, there are about 60 different OCs available in the United States.
.: Development Trends
The major trend in the development of OCs since their U.S. introduction in the early 1960s has been to find the lowest dose of hormones that will prevent pregnancy without allowing too much breakthrough bleeding or spotting -- an aspect of hormonal contraception called cycle control. The estrogen dose in the first OC available in this country was huge at 150 micrograms (mcg) and the progestin dose a hefty 9.85 milligrams (mg).
Today, 40 years later, the typical combination pills use 35 mcg or less of estrogen and between 0.1 and 1.5 mg of progestin. Cyclessaź has only 25 mcg of estrogen, yet maintains excellent cycle control and efficacy.
1 Managing Contraception, 2001, 2002, Hatcher, R.A. et al.
OCs do not protect against HIV (AIDS) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. The use of OCs is associated with increased risks of several serious side-effects, including thromboembolic diseases. Some studies suggest that this risk is slightly increased by OCs containing desogestrel; additional studies do not support this finding. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side-effects; women who take OCs are strongly advised not to smoke.
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