Oral Contraceptives

"The Pill" is a tablet, taken daily which contains synthetic hormones which, when absorbed into a woman’s bloodstream, work to prevent the release of the egg from the ovary. Oral contraceptives also work to thicken cervical mucous, this hindering the passage of sperm, and to thin the uterine lining, so as to minimize the chances of implantation in the uterus if an egg were to be fertilized. For oral contraceptives to be effective, a woman must take a pill each day at approximately the same time.

Three types of oral contraceptives are currently available from the Health Center: Triphasial, Lo-Ovral and Orthocept. The cost is $7 per cycle, which must be paid when the pills are received from the Health Center.

If you forget . . . .

If a woman forgets to take a pill one day, she should take it as soon as she remembers and resume her normal schedule. If she forgets for two days in a row, she should take two the day she remembers and two the next. If a pill is taken more than 12 hours late at any point during the cycle, another form of contraception must be used or intercourse avoided for the remainder of the cycle. If three or more consecutive pills are missed, the remainder of the packet for that cycle should be thrown away and a new packet started after the next menstrual period. Another form of contraception must be used through the first two weeks of the next packet.

Oral contraceptives are not for everyone, and a thorough medical exam is required before a physician will prescribe the Pill. This form of contraception is not recommended for women who have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease, blood clots in the legs or lungs, angina pectoris, tumors in the breast or sex organs, or unusual, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.

Advantages:

Oral contraception is one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy.
Many women prefer this method because they find it convenient, relatively problem-free and it requires no pause between foreplay and intercourse.
Physical benefits of using oral contraception may include a more regular menstrual cycle, decreased menstrual flow, less cramping and predictable cycles.
Some studies have shown reduced risks of benign breast disease, ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cancer of the endometrium, and iron deficiency anemia for women us ing oral contraception.

Disadvantages:

It involves changing body chemistry through the addition of synthetic hormones, something to which some women object.
There may be a reduction in blood levels of folic acid, and Vitamins B6, B12, and C, so Pill users should eat more foods containing these vitamins or take dietary supplements.
Some women on the pill may experience side effects including weight gain or loss, bloating, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness or enlargement, headaches, moodiness or depression, yeast infections, spotting between periods, improvement or worsening of acne, and increased or decreased sex drive. These problems are usually not dangerous and vary from woman to woman. They often may be alleviated by switching to a different type of pill.
There are several serious but rare side effects from the Pill which include circulatory disorders (abnormal blood-clotting, heart disease and stroke), formation of tumors, gall bladder disease and danger to a developing fetus if oral contraceptives we re used immediately before pregnancy. The chance of circulatory problems is greater in women who smoke or are over 35.