Birth Control Pills
Source : Pubdate : 2012/3/27 16:42:00 Author :
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What Is It? Birth control pills are synthetic forms of hormones progesterone and estrogen taken by women to prevent pregnancy. The birth control pill prevents ovulation by maintaining more consistent hormone levels. Without a peak in estrogen, the ovary doesn't get the signal to release an egg, which eliminates the possibility of fertilization and pregnancy.
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How Do Birth Control Pills Work?
Put simply, birth control pills work by regulating your hormones to prevent ovulation, the release of an egg each month. If there is no egg available to be fertilized, you can't get pregnant.
More specifically, here's how it works: At the beginning of each menstrual cycle, levels of the hormone estrogen begin to rise. Estrogen helps thicken the bloody lining of the uterus (endometrium) to prepare for a fertilized egg. Once estrogen levels peak, about 14 days into the menstrual cycle, one of the ovaries releases one or more eggs—this release is called ovulation.
After ovulation, levels of another reproductive hormone—progesterone—rise to help prepare the uterus to receive a fertilized egg by thickening its lining. The egg travels through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus, and if the egg is fertilized and successfully implants itself in the uterine lining, conception (pregnancy) takes place. If conception does not occur, both estrogen and progesterone levels drop, signaling the now thickened uterine bloody lining to slough off or shed, and menstruation begins.
Birth control pills are a synthetic form of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. They prevent ovulation by maintaining more consistent hormone levels. Without a peak in estrogen, the ovary doesn't get the signal to release an egg. Remember that no egg means no possibility for fertilization and pregnancy. The pill also thickens cervical mucus so the sperm cannot reach the egg. It makes the lining of the uterus unreceptive to the implantation of a fertilized egg.
Taking Birth Control Pills
There are a few different ways you can start to take birth control pills. Discuss the pros and cons of the following methods with your doctor:
You can start taking them on the first day of your period, in which case you won't need backup birth control.
You can start taking them the Sunday after your period starts, in which case you will need backup birth control for seven days.
You can start taking birth control pills on the day they are prescribed, in which case you will need to make sure you're not pregnant and you will need to use backup birth control for the first month. If you have a negative pregnancy test and it has been at least 10 to 11 days since you last had intercourse, you can be nearly sure you are not pregnant and it is OK to start the pill.
No matter when you start taking birth control pills, you will need to start each new pack on the same day of the week that you began your first pack. For example, if you start taking your birth control pills on a Monday, you will always begin taking them on a Monday. Keep in mind that birth control pills only work if you take them every day. They do not accumulate or collect in your body, which is why you must take a pill every day! You shouldn't skip pills (on purpose or by accident) or stop taking them, even if you're not having sex often. Also be aware that certain medications, such as certain antibiotics, can make your birth control pills less effective. If you miss a pill for any reason or you're taking a medication that could interfere with your birth control pills, use a backup method for the rest of your cycle. Just remember, don't stop your birth control pills.
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