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Types of birth control pills women should know
Know the different types of birth control pills available for today’s women best suitable for their health.

Commercial use of birth control method started in 1960 in the form of birth control pill. 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 under going 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. With estimation, more than 18 million women in US are relying on birth control pills

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.

Generally there are three types of birth control pills available

1. Progestin only pills (POP)
2. Combination birth control pills
3. Emergency 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

Advantages of using POP
- like other birth control pills, it helps in reduced menstrual cramps, pain and blood
- as estrogen reduces the milk production, it can be used by breast-feeding women who have given the birth soon.
- help in reducing acne
- due to absence of estrogen, this “mini-pill” is better than other birth control pills for smoking women above 35 years, however, care should be taken

Disadvantages of using POP
- amenorrhea i.e. absence of monthly period
- blood dots in the legs, lungs, heart or brain
- irregular or heavy bleeding and spotting during the days of intramenstrual period
- headaches & abdominal pain
- may be less effective than combination oral contraceptive pills

2. Combination birth control 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 birth 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 trphasic 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 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 the year. This is the new entry of oral contraceptive pills in the birth control market. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lybrel, 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 of Lybrel, however, they might find some breakthrough bleeding or spotting, particularly at the initial stage.

Advantages of combination pills:
- no interruption of intercourse
- It helps in reducing acne and special pills like Ortho Tri-cyclen has found to be very effective in controlling acne
- It helps in reducing the cramps, gaining shorter and lighter periods and more regular cycles
- It reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs outside the uterus mostly in the fallopian tubes, which could be very dangerous and life-threatening.
- It reduces the risk of development of benign cysts or lumps in the breasts.
- It may reduce bone density loss
- it may reduce symptoms of endometriosis (Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue—which normally lines the uterus—in other parts of the body. Endometriosis typically grows in the abdominal cavity and most often attaches to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, outer surface of the uterus, bowels, or other abdominal organs. Endometriosis growths, called implants or lesions, often bleed during menstruation, causing pain. They may also develop scar tissue (adhesions) that can interfere with an organ's normal function. Scar tissue can also cause pain and difficulty becoming pregnant (infertility). Endometriosis can be treated with medicines or with surgery to remove implants and scar tissue.

Disadvantages of combination pills:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, weight gain could be possible
- breast tenderness may occur
- it may change menstrual cycle.
- user may find difficulty in wearing contact lenses and experience blurred vision
- It may change the mood
- weakness and numbness in arms and legs, particularly on one side could be possible.

3) Emergency birth control 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 than usual oral contraceptive pills where you plan your birth control much in advance. 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.

Advantages of emergency pills :
- can be taken within 72 hours if encountered unprotected sex
- FDA-approved Plan B is now available “over-the-counter” for women above 18 years
- it can be used during emergency like condom breakage, missed oral contraceptives, sexual assault or forced sex

Disadvantages of emergency pills :
- timing is crucial in using emergency pills. It must be taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex but better to take within 72 hours to be effective. Sooner is always better
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, weight gain could be possible
- breast tenderness may occur
- it may change menstrual cycle.

For further information on birth control patches, please visit at birth control pills and birth control to know more about birth control patches, ortho evra and other birth control methods and options. he above article is for general information on usage of birth control patches effectively and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or physician for treatment purpose.