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Birth Control
needs, methods and information available for today’s women
Know the
need, history and types of birth control pills available to prevent unplanned
pregnancy
Need for birth control in today’s world :
With
the rapid growth of the population in the world as well as the increased sense
in general awareness for HIV/AIDS, has forced to think on birth control methods.
The current world’s population is estimated to be around 6.4 billion with annual
growth of 76 million and hence, it is estimated to reach 9 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 i.e more than one third of
the total world population of that time. It is alarming situation for the world
to control this “population explosion”. Therefore, United Nations are urging countries
specially highly populated countries to control their population.
As per
the survey report for birth control methods if applied in 169 countries, 137 million
women willing to delay their contraceptives, 64 million women are using less effective
birth control measures. If these women are helped with adequate birth control
treatment (like pills, condoms), 23 million of unplanned births, 22 million induced
abortions and 1.4 million infants could be avoided as estimated by United Nations
Population Fund.
Besides population, HIV/AIDS is also very important factor
forcing the need for birth control. An estimated, world has 38 million people
have either AIDS or infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In seven
African countries, one out of 5 adults is infected with HIV. Birth control methods
are, therefore, become imperative to control further spread of HIV/AIDS, particularly
in these countries. The population in these countries is projected at 35% lower
by 2025 free from HIV/AIDS. It will further reduce the total life expectancy by
an average of 29 years in these countries.
History of Birth Control
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 the sexual intercourse. Many birth control methods like ayurvedic
treatments used centuries ago (aside from sexual abstinence). However, there are
some historical records of Egyptian women are found who were using some herbal
or acid substances like crocodile dung or lubricants like honey or household olive
oil as vaginal suppository, which they may have found effective at killing sperm.
However,
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)
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 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.
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.
Please visit at birth control pills and
birth control to know more about birth control, methods,
options and treatment available to avoid unplanned pregnancies. The above article
is for general information on possible acne treatment by birth control pills and
should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor
or physician for treatment purpose.
