Birth control pills are a form of contraceptive that prevents you from getting pregnant. Women take a little tiny pill every day at the same hour by mouth. The Pill is only available by prescription from your Doctor.

How Does The Pill Work?

Basically, the pill contains hormones to help prevent pregnancy. Most birth control pills have synthetic progestin and estrogen hormones. Pills that contain both these hormones are also referred to as the ‘combined pill’. This is by far the most common choice for women. The mini pill has just one hormone progestin. Women who are breastfeeding or have certain special conditions might be prescribed to this method.

The combined pill works in three ways. It first starts off by preventing the body from releasing an egg into the ovary. If an egg were to be released, then as a further safety precaution it would thicken the cervical mucus to make it harder for the sperm to attach to the egg. And finally, the pill will also thin the lining of the womb to make it almost impossible for an egg to attach itself to the wall.

The mini pill is similar to the combined pill because it also thickens the cervical mucus as well as changes the lining of the womb. In some brands though, it does not stop your body from releasing an egg.

How Effective Is The Pill?

The effectiveness of various birth control methods is always a concern, but in most cases the pill is 99% effective. Depending on the combined pill brand, women can take the pill within a 12 hour window before it’s considered a missed pill. Of course, you should always try and take it at the same time every day in order for the pill to be most effective. This time window helps you give yourself a little more time in case you have forgotten your pill pack at home.

The mini pill is 95% effective but it should be taken at the same time every day. There is a small time window with the mini pill only 2 to 4 hours depending on brand. Women will have to be extra careful not to miss this time window while on the mini pill.

What Can Make The Pill Less Effective?

Aside from not taking the pill at the same time every day, there are certain medicines that can interfere with this form of birth control. Some of them include:

Antibiotics, especially ones that contain rifampin
Medicines that are taken for yeast infections
Anti-seizure medicines
HIV medicines
St. John’s Wort

When your doctor is prescribing you new medicine, always talk to him or her about how it could compromise the effectiveness of your birth control.

The pill might not work as well for obese or overweight women.

If you have vomited or had diarrhoea due to sickness after taking your pill, then the effectiveness may be reduced.

How Do I Take Them?

The combined pill can come in a 28-day or 21-day pack. Both packs have only 21 active pills that help prevent pregnancy. The last seven pills in the 28 pack are just reminder pills for you to continue your pattern. They contain no hormones, so if you miss any of the last seven, do not worry.

With the 21-day pack, you take a pill every day for 21 days and then wait seven days to start your new pack. During this seven day wait, you will start to have your period, but you will still be protected from pregnancy.

For women looking to reduce their periods, there are special combined pills that you can take for a longer period of time. This can reduce the menstrual bleeding from 13 times a year to 4. Talk to your doctor for specific brands.

The mini pill comes in 28-day packs and all of those pills are active. Your period happens on the fourth week.

For More Information:

See your local GP for more information. There are lots of terrific websites around that can give you even more information.

http://www.whatcontraceptiveareyou.com.au/

http://www.thewomens.org.au/ThePill