Nowadays, oral hormonal contraception is one of the most common methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Presence at the pharmaceutical market of a large number of brands of birth control pills, allows choosing the best birth control means for each woman, in view of her specific characteristics.
To protect from an unplanned pregnancy, you can buy in the pharmacy:
• combined oral contraceptive pill s (COCP);
• mini-pills (or POP).
As of today, the most frequently prescribed contraceptives are the COCP. This type of contraception is perfect for women that gave birth and sexually active women of late reproductive age.
COCP contain two synthetic analogues female sexual hormone – estrogen and progestin (known in the UK as “progestogen”). Popular combination birth control pills brands are Yasmin, Natazia, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, Ortho-Novum, Nordette, Cyclessa, Rigevidon, Lizinna, Cilest, Seasonale. List of names for best birth control pills is regularly updated.
Depending on the hormones ratio in the tablets, COCP is subdivided into monophasic and multiphasic ones. Monophasic birth control pills contain the same amount of synthetic hormones. In multiphasic pills, the doses of one or both components vary several times during the menstrual cycle.
When using combination birth control pills, the contraceptive effect is achieved through several ways:
• suppression of ovulation;
• change in composition of the mucus at the cervix;
• modification of the uterine mucosa structure.
Some brands of birth control pills may be used off label. In certain patients, contraceptives can be used not only as a way to prevent pregnancy, but also a means for the treatment of acne in women.
Oral contraceptives can reduce the production of sebum and regulate the sebaceous glands work. They are sometimes useful for weight loss. However, only a doctor should prescribe best birth control pills for the treatment of acne or other diseases.
The main difference between combined oral contraceptive pills and mini-pills is the composition of the drugs. Mini-pills contain only one hormone – progestin and do not contain any estrogen. Alternative name for mini-pills is progestogen-only pill (POP).
Progestin-only birth control pills are supplied to the pharmacies under numerous brands. The most famous are Desorex, Nor-QD, Nacrez, Aizea, Camila, Cerazette, Errin, Heather, Cerelle, and Zelleta.
This group of birth control pills is perfect for sexually active women, including for:
• young nulliparous women;
• women during lactation;
• women who are medically contraindicated to use COCP.
Compared to COCP, not all progestin-only birth control pills suppress ovulation. The action mechanism of this type of contraception is based mainly on the change of quality of cervical mucus and its mucosa.
Under the action of POP, cervical mucus becomes thicker and forms an impenetrable barrier to sperm. The change in the endometrium properties prevents the attachment of a fertilized egg to the walls of the uterus.
There are many brands of birth control pills, which not only effectively prevent unwanted pregnancy, but also are a means for preventing certain gynecological diseases.
However, it should be kept in mind that the best birth control pills do not protect from the sexually transmitted infections and HIV. To protect against the sexually transmitted diseases, it is recommended to use a condom.