Birth Control Options

Lesson 1: Begin at the Beginning

The Pill and Mini-Pill

John Rock and Gregory Pincus began researching and developing the first birth control pill in the 1950's. A few years later, the pill was being tested, and by 1960 it became available to the American market. The first pill, Enovid-10 contained high amounts of both estrogen and progestin, and overtime the side effects of this were realized and the formulations were changed. In the early part of the 1970's the mini-pill, or progestin only pill, was developed and added to the birth control market. Over the years, the formulations have changed and several different types of birth control pill are now available including biphasic and triphasic pills. In the past women between the ages of 35 and 40 were discouraged from taking the pill as their birth control method. However recently it has been said that healthy, non-smoking, women can continue to take the pill until menopause.

The pill, and mini pill, must be taken each day at the same time to be effective in preventing pregnancy from occurring. The pill, containing both estrogen and progestin, prevents pregnancy by stopping the body from producing and releasing an egg each cycle. It also thins the endometrium, uterine lining, so that implantation is difficult and it makes the cervical fluids thicker and hostile to sperm, so they cannot swim or survive long enough to fertilize an egg. The mini-pill is similar in that it also causes the cervical fluids to be hostile to sperm, and by thinning the endometrium. The mini-pill does not prevent the release of an egg each cycle.

The first generation of pill are those with more than 35 mcg of estrogen and progestin higher than 2.5 mg. Second generation pills have an estrogen content of 35 mcg or less and contain the progestin norethindrone or levonorgestrel. Third generation pills contain one of the following progestins; norgestimate, desogestrel, or gestodene.

Because the pill and mini-pill do not contain natural hormones, side effects can and do happen to users. The most common mini-pill side effects include: breakthrough or irregular bleeding, headache, dizziness, nausea, and breast tenderness. Common combination pill side effects include: breakthrough bleeding, mood swings, nausea (and vomiting), weight gain or loss, darkening of the skin in patches, breast tenderness, depression, and changes in libido. Serious warning signs include: sharp chest pains, pains in the lower legs, breast lumps, sudden and severe headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, changes in or sudden loss of vision or speech, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (usually accompanied by a fever).

The mini-pill, with perfect use is over 99% effective, but with typical use, it is 93% effective in preventing pregnancy. The combination pill, if used perfectly is 99.9% effective. With typical use the combination pill is 97% effective.

Cons of the pill and mini-pill can be extensive, but some of the main cons include; must be taken daily at the same time, the side effects, does not protect against STDs, needs a prescription, and some medications and herbs will decrease the effectiveness. The pros to using the pill or mini-pill are just as vast. One of the biggest pros: you can usually expect lighter periods with less PMS. Other pros; very effective if taken correctly, reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, fully reversible, can slow or stop the progress of endometriosis, may clear up acne, and can cause an increase in breast size.

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