Detail Info - The Pill

The Pill

The Pill is a tablet you take once a day – there are a few different types of pill. The combined pill contains estrogen and a progestin, which stop the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also thickens the cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperms to move freely and reach the egg. The so-called mini pill contains only 1 hormone, a progestin, which offers an alternative to those who cannot or don't want to take estrogen.

In order to be effective you should take the pill at the same time every day, whether or not you have sex. Ask your doctor whether the combined pill is a suitable method of contraception for you based on your medical history and, if yes, which is the best type for you.

How To

Taking the pill is the same as taking other tablets, just pop one in your mouth and swallow. You should swallow the pill at the same time every day, whether or not you have sex. Forgetting to take your pill means it won’t be as effective as it can be and you could find yourself getting pregnant. If you miss 1 or more pills, or start a pill pack too late, have a look into the Patient Information Booklet provided to you with the pill pack. In case of doubt, ask your healthcare provider.

Different pills have different cycles, with some pill types you have to take hormone-free pills during the breaks to maintain continuous intake.

Pros and Cons

  • Highly effective when used as directed
  • It’s easy to use
  • It permits sexual spontaneity and doesn’t interrupt sex
  • It can provide a wide range of menstruation-related benefits such as lighter bleeding, more regular and stable cycles and less painful periods
  • Some pills may have a positive effect on acne
  • The pill can be taken over a long period of time
  • Its effectiveness is user dependent, so you need to take each pill at the same hour and remember to start a new package every month
  • Commonly occurring side effects include nausea, breast tenderness and headache
  • The use of estrogen-progestin combination products increases the risk of blood clots (venous and arterial thromboembolism).
  • These are rare, serious adverse effects.
  • Does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Intrauterine System - IUS

The IUS is a small, soft, T-shaped device with a reservoir containing the hormone progestin that is placed in the womb by your doctor. The IUS works by continuously releasing a low dose of progestin from the intrauterine system into the womb. It thickens the mucus of your cervix, which makes it harder for sperm to move freely and reach the egg and it also thins the lining of your womb. At 99.8% effectiveness, you’re about as protected as you possibly can be by a contraceptive method.

The IUS may be the right option for women appreciating a non-daily routine and who are keen on not getting pregnant.

However, there are some individual risk factors that make an IUS not recommendable to some women. Therefore consult your doctor in order to find out about your individual situation.

How To

The IUS is placed into your womb through the vagina by your doctor in a standard in-office procedure. Right after the placement, you’re highly protected from pregnancy for up to 3 or 5 years, depending on the product. After the IUS is taken out, the contraceptive effect wears off quickly. Hence the IUS provides a rapid return to your fertility.

Pros and Cons

  • It can stay in place for either 3 or 5 years (depending on the type), but can be removed any time.
  • With an efficacy of 99.8%, it’s one of the most effective contraceptive methods
  • It doesn’t interrupt sex
  • Heavy periods can become lighter and less painful
  • Some women may have shorter lighter or less frequent periods, which reduces the chances of becoming anemic
  • Suitable for women who want long-acting reversible contraception for up to 3 or 5 years and wish to avoid daily, weekly or monthly regimens
  • It isn’t affected by other medications
  • Fertility returns quickly once the IUS is removed
  • It requires a trained doctor for insertion and removal. The insertion procedure might be associated with some degree of pelvic discomfort.
  • Irregular bleeding and spotting can be common in the first 6 months of use
  • Some women experience headaches, tenderness and acne after an IUS is fitted
  • It may cause cramps and/or irregular bleeding
  • Small risk of infection at insertion and of expulsion
  • Does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Intrauterine Device - IUD

The IUD might sound a little space age but it just stands for Intrauterine Device, intrauterine meaning inside the uterus. It might look strange but it is a highly effective, small, T-shaped device containing a copper thread or cylinders which is placed in the womb by your doctor. The IUD releases copper ions which immobilizes the sperm and makes it really hard for them to move around in the womb, but does not stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. On the rare occasion a sperm does get through, the IUD body stops a fertilized egg from implanting itself to the lining. Not space age at all – just good sense.

The IUD may be the right option for women appreciating a non-daily routine and who are keen on not becoming pregnant.

How To

Once your healthcare provider has made sure the IUD is a suitable method for you based on your medical history and you’ve decided to use it, there really isn’t much to do.

The IUD is inserted into your womb by a trained doctor where it stays for up to 3 or 10 years depending on the type. You can of course change your mind at any point and your doctor will simply take it out again for you. After the IUD is removed, the contraceptive effect wears off quickly. Hence the IUD provides a rapid return to fertility.

The copper IUD is highly effective, however, it is not a method that is suitable for everyone. This is why, to be sure, discuss the method with your healthcare provider beforehand to make sure it’s right for you.

Pros and Cons

  • It can stay in place for up to 5 or 10 years (depending on the type), but can be removed any time
  • With an efficacy of 99%, it’s one of the most effective contraceptive methods
  • Suitable for women who want long-acting reversible contraception for up to 5 or 10 years and wish to avoid daily, weekly or monthly regimen
  • It doesn’t interrupt sex
  • It isn’t affected by other medications
  • It can also be used as emergency contraception, if inserted within five days after unprotected sex
  • It can be used by women who can’t or don’t want to use hormones It can be used when breastfeeding
  • It can be used when breastfeeding six weeks after childbirth
  • Fertility returns quickly once the IUD is removed
  • It requires a trained doctor for insertion and removal. The insertion procedure might be associated with some degree of pelvic discomfort.
  • It may causes cramps and/or irregular bleeding
  • Some women experience headaches, tenderness and acne after an IUD is fitted
  • Small risk of infection at insertion and of expulsion
  • Does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Contraceptive Implant

The contraceptive implant might sound a little space age initially but really it’s a highly effective, easy to hide contraceptive. About same size than a matchstick, the implant is placed just below the skin of your upper arm where it constantly releases the hormone progestin in small doses from a reservoir into your blood stream. The hormone keeps your ovaries from releasing eggs but also thickens your cervical mucus making it hard for sperm to move around in the womb and fertilize an egg.

The implant may be the right option for women appreciating a non-daily routine and who are keen on not getting pregnant.

How To

After local anesthesia, a trained doctor will numb a small area of your inner upper arm and insert the implant just underneath the surface with a special needle. Once the placement is finalized, there is little or nothing left to do or remember. Seriously, the implant releases small amounts of hormones into your blood over the course of up to 3 years. It is suitable for women who want highly effective long-acting reversible contraception and wish to avoid a daily, weekly or monthly regimen. It can be removed at any time with minor surgery after local anesthesia by a well-trained doctor. Once the implant is removed, the contraceptive effect wears off quickly. Hence the Implant provides a rapid return to your fertility.

Pros and Cons

  • With an efficacy of 99.95%, it’s the most effective reversible contraceptive method available
  • Suitable for women who want long-acting reversible contraception for up to 3 or 5 years and wish to avoid daily, weekly or monthly regimen
  • It doesn’t interrupt sex
  • It can offer an alternative to women who can’t or don’t want to take estrogen
  • It can be used when breastfeeding six weeks after childbirth
  • It may reduce heavy and painful periods for some women
  • It requires a trained healthcare provider for insertion and removal
  • It causes menstrual irregularities in most women
  • It may cause acne, headaches, breast tenderness and weight gain
  • Does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)