Birth Control Pills: All You Need To Know

What is birth control?

Birth control is the taking of one or more extra precautions, devices, or most popularly medications in order to purposely prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy after sexual intercourse.

It is being said that in today’s society these methods of birth control are considered to be an essential component of family planning. The idea of birth control is to prevent initial fertilization, rather than get into a situation of abortion, which is actuality the termination of an already established pregnancy.

History of birth control

In 200 AD, Greek gynecologist Soranus said that women become fertile during ovulation. He suggested some birth control tips for women to avoid unwanted pregnancy like smearing olive oil, pomegranate pulp, ginger, or tobacco juice around vagina to kill sperm; drinking water used by blacksmith to cool hot metals; and jumping 7 times backward after sexual intercourse.

Historical perspective

Many birth control methods like ayurvedic treatments were used centuries ago (aside from sexual abstinence). Also, there are some historical records of Egyptian women who were using some herbal or acid substances like crocodile dung, or lubricants like honey or household olive oil as vaginal suppository, which they might have found effective at killing sperm.

Commercial use of birth control methods

However, commercial use of birth control method started in 1960 in the form of birth control pills. It was in 1950, when Planned Parenthood Federation of America invited biologist Dr. Gregory Pincus to develop oral contraceptive pill that would be harmless, universally acceptable and safe for husband and wife.

After undergoing many tests with more than 6,000 women in Puerto Rico and Haiti, it was 1960 when the first commercially produced birth control pill called Enovid-10 was introduced to women in USA.

This first oral contraceptive was made with two hormones Estrogen (100 to 175 microgram) and Progestin (10 mg). They were proved to be 99% effective if taken as directed. It is estimated that more than 13% of women in US between the ages of 15 and 49 are relying on birth control pills.

Why is birth control controversial?

Birth Control is a controversial issue no matter how it’s looked at. The major controversy here lies I think in the underlying issue of abstinence over sex for pleasure. Also, remember that religion plays an important role in influencing decisions about the use of contraceptives.

Controversy is everywhere but more so in the methods of birth control. Actually, birth control prevents the implantation of an embryo if fertilization occurs. This is commonly known as the “morning after pill”.

Family planning facilities have greatly helped to reduce the birth rates in developing countries. Family planning has many advantages.

In the past, the most common forms of birth control were barrier methods, which we know today as “condoms”, and also the attempt to have intercourse with a woman during a “non-fertile” time. The latter method might have proved to be a good idea. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that scientists were actually able to sort out the rhythm of the menstrual cycle.

But with the inconsistencies of menstrual cycle rhythm in every individual, this method of having intercourse during the non-fertile time was completely unreliable.

If Birth Control is an issue on your mind, I would recommend taking more time to research and figure out what it means to you, and which method is right for your individual situation.

Is there need for birth control in today’s world?

Two major factors come to mind when thinking about the need for birth control. One is reduction of world’s rapid population growth. The other is fight against HIV/AIDS scourge.

With the rapid growth of the population in the world as well as the increased sense in general awareness for HIV/AIDS, many have been forced to think about birth control methods.

Birth control helps slow rapid growth of world’s population

The current world’s population is estimated to be around 7.6 billion with annual growth of 82 million and hence, it is estimated to reach between 9.4 and 10.2 billion by year 2050.

In next two decades, world’s two highly populous countries, China & India are expected to reach the population of 1.5 billion each, which is more than one third of the total world population of that time. It is an alarming situation for the world to control this “population explosion”. Therefore, United Nations are urging countries especially highly populated countries to control their population.

A survey report on family planning methods showed that 137 million women were not using any contraceptive at all. Findings also showed that 64 women were using less effective birth control measures.

So if these women were helped with adequate modern contraception, 67 million unintended pregnancies, 23 million of unplanned births, 36 million induced abortions and 76,000 maternal deaths each year could have been avoided.

Birth control helps combat HIV/AIDS

Besides population, HIV/AIDS is also very important factor forcing the need for birth control. It is estimated that the world has about 36.9 million people having AIDS or infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of HIV infection globally. For example, sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 71 percent of the global burden of HIV infection. About ten countries account for about 80 percent of the people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

Birth control methods including consistent use of condoms, have therefore become imperative to control further spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, particularly in these countries.

There are many birth control methods in use today. Examples include:

Barrier methods – male/female condoms

Oral contraceptives (pills)

Injectable contraceptives (Depo-Provera, noristerat)

Implants

Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD)

Permanent forms of birth control such as vasectomy, bilateral tubal ligation and essure.

Birth control pills

This article however focuses on oral contraceptives, given their primacy in effective birth control worldwide.

Birth control pills are highly effective. For example, the CDC estimates that the progestin-only pill and the combination pill have only 9% failure rate with typical use.

Types of birth control pills

Unlike the decades old oral contraceptive pills (which had higher number of hormones), today’s birth control pills are in low-dose forms with health benefits. So, women can take birth control pills with much fewer health risks.

What are the three types of available birth control pills?

1. Progestin only pills (POP)

It is also known as “mini-pill” containing no estrogen. It is recommended for breastfeeding women because estrogen reduced milk production. This POP pill works by thickening the cervical mucus and thus preventing sperm to enter uterus

2. Combination pills

The widely known birth control pills are having combination of two hormones progestin and estrogen. These types of oral contraceptive pills come with the pack of 21 “active pills” and 7 “placebos”, which do not contain any hormones. These are, in fact, known as “reminder pills”

These combination pills are further sub-divided into three types of pills due to the level of two hormones progestin and estrogen.

i) Monophasic control pills

Here, every active pill contains the equal number of progestin and estrogen. The other seven pills are placebo having no hormones. Menstruation starts when these placebo pills are taken.

ii) Multiphasic birth control pills

They are also known as biphasic or triphasic oral contraceptive pills due to different levels of hormones in active pills. These pills are required to be taken at specific time in its entire pills schedule. Multiphasic birth control pills help in offsetting the risks of oral contraceptives.

iii) Continuous birth control pills

It is also known as 365 days pills to be taken continuously throughout the year without stopping. This is the new entry of oral contraceptive pills in the birth control market.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lybrel (Amethyst), which is the only continuous birth control pill approved so far and available for general women use.

Women do not get menstrual period while they are under the treatment with Lybrel, however, they might find some breakthrough bleeding or spotting, particularly at the initial stage.

3) Emergency pills

Also known as “morning after pills”, these are designed for immediate pregnancy protection after the unprotected sex. It is highly recommended to take emergency pills within 48 hours and maximum 72 hours to be effective in avoiding pregnancy. These are different from usual oral contraceptive pills where you plan your birth control much in advance.

Further, emergency pills are also taken when the women are sexually assaulted. FDA has approved Plan B as the safest emergency pills. Due to OTC (over the counter) approval by FDA for women above 18 years, Plan B can now be ordered behind pharmacy counter.

Conclusion

Birth control pills have many benefits. For example, they offer protection against pregnancy. Therefore, you do not have to worry about getting pregnant during intimacy, provided you are properly taking contraceptive pills.
They’re highly effective and protect against pregnancy better than most other birth control methods.

Also, birth control pills help regulate your menstrual cycle. So it is helpful for women having heavy or irregular periods.
Finally, They’re fully reversible. Therefore, your cycle will return to normal when you stop taking them. You can then get pregnant if you wish.

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