Oral Contraceptives and the various brands
For many females who decide to choose a birth control pill brand, it can prove to be a very confusing process. Why? There are so many Birth control pills brands to choose from and there are certain things to take into consideration such as the level of dosage and how it interacts with your body; among other things.
There are various types of birth control pills:
Prostegin-based pills do not consist of estrogen. They are specifically made for women who are breast feeding. Estrogen is absent because of its ability to reduce the production of milk. Women with specific health issues such as migraine headaches and heart disease, for example, will benefit from these pills.
Combination birth control pills, for example consists of estrogen and progestin. These are labeled single-phasic, bi-phasic and tri-phasic and this depends on whether the hormone level remains constant during the first 21 days of your monthly periods or if it changes.
A single-phasic birth control pill has the same level of dosage in all 21 pills enclosed in the pack. However, the remaining 7 pills do not contain any hormones. They are included specifically to maintain the daily routine of taking the pills.
Bi-phasic birth control pills have two progestin levels and tri-phasic birth control pills have three levels. For the tri-phasic pills, the level of dosage changes during the first 21 days. Of course, the level of estrogen remains constant. The hormone levels and the way that they are administered also change depending on the brand.
Emergency birth control pills are not for regular use as other contraceptives. They are FDA approved to be used after a night of unprotected sex. It is easily obtainable over the counter as long as you are 18 years or older.
Most doctors recommend that when you change from one brand of birth control to the next, it is wise to use a condom in conjunction with the birth control pill for added safety against unwanted pregnancy.
You may have heard about emergency oral contraceptive pills. What are these? These are different from the normal birth control pills that you take on a daily basis. These are used in an emergency when the woman has forgotten to use a condom, for example or may have experienced an incident of rape. You may have heard the term, ‘morning after pills.” Even though, the term indicates that it should be taken the morning after an unprotected sexual encounter, it can be taken up to 72 hours after. These are not to be confused with abortion pills.
Specific birth control pills brands:
Yasmin is one of the popular combination birth control pills that have a 99% success rate of preventing pregnancy as long as it is taken correctly. These birth control pills prevent female ovulation and make it more difficult for the sperm to become attached to the uterus. It is also known to shorten your monthly periods.
Seasonique is also a combination birth control pill. Taking this pill prevents you from experiencing a monthly period. Like other birth control pills, you take one pill every day. Your body no longer releases eggs.
Loestrin 24 FE is a combination birth control pill that has a low dosage level. It consists of 24 days of combined hormone therapy. Like Seasonique, it prevents the body from releasing eggs.
Kariva is also considered an emergency contraceptive. It is able to make your monthly periods become more regular. It reduces blood loss and painful periods. It is also used to treat acne especially in younger females.
For a lot of women, the single-phasic birth control pill has proven to be the best first choice. All the combination birth control pills consist of both estrogen and progestin so they will be more effective in pregnancy prevention.
Lybrel is a low dose, continuous, non-cyclic combination oral contraceptive. It’s created to distribute a progressive dose of hormones every day. This pill will entirely stop your period for a full year. Lybrel is the first and only birth control pill that is also made to stop women’s monthly periods.
Jolessa contains female hormones (progesterone and estrogen) that keep your body from ovulating. This product also makes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus.
Plan B One-Step is an emergency contraception drug. It includes two emergency contraceptive pills which should be taken separately with a 12- hour distance or at the same time. Plan B One-Step is NOT effective after a woman is already pregnant so it’s not an abortion pill.