Which birth control pill is best

The vaginal ring also a combined contraceptive is a small plastic ring placed inside the vagina for 3 weeks. You leave it in for 21 days, then remove it and have a 7-day ring-free break.

You will remain protected against pregnancy during the ring-free break. You then put a new ring in for another 21 days. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of putting it in and taking it out yourself, this might not be the best contraceptive for you. All the types of contraceptive pill mentioned, as well as the patch and vaginal ring, are available through our convenient online service.

Alternatively, you can book an appointment with your GP or family planning clinic to get a prescription. Online Doctor Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm Sat: 9am-1pm. Contact us. By clicking submit you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions. Click and collect in as little as 60 mins Choose collection at checkout and you can usually collect your treatment in as little as 1 hour from your local LloydsPharmacy. Men's health Main menu Men's health Erectile dysfunction Erectile dysfunction subscriptions Hair loss Premature ejaculation.

Customer services Phone: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm Sat: 9am-1pm. On this page. By Dr Mitra Dutt. Is the combined pill right for you? This is because it usually: gives you regular periods reduces period pain and heavy periods may help to relieve premenstrual symptoms The combined pill is the most common type of contraceptive pill.

The most common brands of the combined contraceptive pill are: Microgynon Cilest Rigevidon Yasmin Although the combined pill suits most women, if any of the following apply to you you should consider another type of contraceptive pill.

Is the mini pill right for you? Have you experienced side effects on the combined pill? Side effects of the combined pill which can be reduced by using a low dose pill include: nausea headaches sore breasts Do you have acne? Some people prefer extended cycles because they only bleed once every 3 months. Studies show that continuous use is safe for up to 12 months.

According to DailyMed , triphasic birth control pills contain 21 days of active hormonal pills with different doses of estrogen and progestin each week. An example of a triphasic birth control pill is Ortho Tri Cyclen. Each pill contains 35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, but the dose of norgestimate increases each week. Manufacturers of triphasic birth control attempted to reduce side effects by mimicking the natural fluctuation in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle.

However, healthcare professionals are leaning away from triphasic birth control as, according to a study , they do not appear to be any more effective than monophasic birth control.

Many healthcare professionals prefer to prescribe monophasic birth control pills. These are birth control pills that provide the same level of hormones for 21 days, followed by 1 week of placebo. A person can learn more about monophasic birth control here. This method of birth control is appropriate for those who cannot tolerate estrogen or who cannot take estrogen.

Micronor , which contains norethindrone and Slynd , which contains drospirenone, are progestin-only birth control pills. Doctors may prescribe lower doses of ethinyl estradiol to reduce the side effects of estrogen. According to a review article , one side effect of taking estrogen is an increased risk of developing blood clots.

However, the chance is typically low. Doctors also do not recommend that those over 35 years old who smoke take birth control because of an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Forgetting to take a birth control pill may increase the chance of pregnancy. If a person misses a pill, they should speak with a doctor or pharmacist. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , barrier methods, such as a condom or dental dam, are more effective in preventing infections.

A person can learn more about the side effects of birth control pills here. Some people prefer birth control methods that do not require remembering to take a pill every day. The OWH list the following birth control options:. People have many different options when choosing a birth control pill. Depending on their desires, they can choose a combination pill that prevents pregnancy and minimizes side effects.

A doctor will be able to help a person decide which type of birth control pill is most appropriate for them. If a person experiences side effects from one pill, it does not mean they will have the same experience with another birth control pill.

If side effects occur, a doctor can help a person choose another effective birth control pill that will have fewer side effects. There are many safe and effective birth control options available for people who do not want to get pregnant.

We debunk common myths about birth…. Although some forms of birth control are nearly percent effective, they can fail sometimes. In this article, we explain why different types of…. Plenty of anecdotal evidence suggests that people might develop depression and mood changes when taking birth control. Find out what the research says…. Birth control pills are some of the most popular contraceptives. And for good reasons — they're effective and easy to use. The variety of birth control pills available, though, can seem daunting.

Fortunately, they can be sorted into just a few categories to make it easier to understand your options. Combination birth control pills come in different mixtures of active and inactive pills, depending on how often you want to have periods:. Combination birth control pills are also categorized according to whether the dose of hormones in the active pills stays the same or varies:.

Most combination birth control pills contain 10 to 35 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol, a kind of estrogen. Women who are sensitive to hormones may benefit from taking a pill that contains a dose of estrogen at the lower end of this range.

However, low-dose pills may result in more breakthrough bleeding — bleeding or spotting between periods — than higher dose pills. Combination birth control pills prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg. They also slow an egg's progress through the fallopian tubes, thicken cervical mucus and thin the lining of the uterus endometrium.

All of these actions help keep sperm from joining the egg. The minipill slows an egg's progress through the fallopian tubes, thickens cervical mucus and thins the endometrium — all of which help prevent sperm from reaching the egg.

The minipill sometimes also suppresses ovulation. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and any medications you take to determine which birth control pill is right for you. You have many options for birth control. If you choose to take birth control pills, work with your health care provider to decide which type of birth control pill is right for you.

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