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 (the 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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