What Birth Control Has Estrogen And Progestin

How To Suppress Menstrual Bleeding

Understanding the physiological steps of menstruation helps to direct effective treatment protocols .

• ACOG Committee Opinion recommends multiple therapies to manage acute AUB in adults and reaffirmed for adolescents

• IV conjugated equine estrogen

• Monophasic OCPs with 3050 g ethinyl estradiol

• Tranexamic acid

• Medroxyprogesterone acetate

How Do Progestins Differ From Natural Progesterone

Before we get into potential side effects of progestins, some important background info.

If you are wondering whether to take a progestin-containing birth control or medication, itâs important to know about the different kinds of progestin and how they might affect your body.

Progestins are created in a lab, usually starting with a hormone as a building block. Most progestins are created from testosterone, some from progesterone, and one is a type of spirolactone .

Progestins are sometimes grouped in generations, which refer to how long they have been on the market. A more useful classification system to understand their effects is to group them by structure based on the hormone from which they were created .

The chemical structure of progestins is different from natural progesterone. These small changes in shape will impact the way they interact with hormone receptors in your body.

Progestins may attach to more than just progesterone receptors in the body.

Progestins may also bind to receptors for:

• other hormones, like mineralocorticoids, or glucocorticoids

If progestins bind to these receptors, they can cause different side effectsâdepending on whether the progestin activates or blocks the receptor .

Estrogens And Progestin Pills

Birth control pills contain a combination of estrogen and progestin.

Estrogens and progestin pills are taken by women to prevent pregnancy. They work by preventing ovulation. Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. Estrogens are also used in menopausal hormone therapy.

Progestin is a synthetic form of natural progesterone that is used in hormonal birth control pills, emergency contraception, and for menopausal symptoms.

Estrogens and progestin pills include:

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The Crucial Difference Between Progesterone And Progestins

Progestins such as drospirenone, levonorgestrel, or medroxyprogesterone are not progesterone.

Thats because progesterone is not a generic term like estrogen. Instead, progesterone refers only to the hormone made by the corpus luteum or taken as oral micronized progesterone.

Consider the structural difference between progesterone and the progestin drug levonorgestrel, which is used in many oral contraceptives, implants, hormonal IUDs, and the morning-after pill.

Can you spot the difference?

Levonorgestrel is actually more similar to testosterone than it is to progesterone, which is why it can cause hair loss and weight gain.

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Which Type Of Birth Control Pill Is Best For You

Theres no best birth control pill for everyone. In fact, theres no best birth control pill period. The best birth control pill is subjective, and all depends on you. Combined birth control pills and progestin-only pills both offer a range of unique advantages and disadvantages, meaning that one type of pill could be a better match for your needs, lifestyle and health than the other.

As with anything contraceptive-related, the best tactic is to talk to your doctor about your needs and expectations. Theyll be able to choose a form that offers the protection you need while helping you avoid any health risks and adverse birth control side effects.

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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the packet it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Extended Cycle Birth Control Pills

Each packet of extended cycle pills, such as Seasonique, contains 12 weeks of combined hormonal birth control. Packets also contain 1 week of placebo or low-dose ethinylestradiol.

Some people prefer this approach because it means they only get a period every 3 months. People wishing to delay their period longer using this method can do so safely for up to

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Things To Keep In Mind

If you opt for the minipill, it is very important that you take it at the exact same time every day. The Depo-Provera shot must be given every four months. Another thing to consider before starting a progestin-only method is whether you hope to become pregnant in the future. Fertility returns right away after you discontinue some of these methods , while it may take several months with others .

Where Can I Get Birth Control Pills

A person needs a prescription from a doctor. They can get the pills:

• Online. Several retailers offer birth control pills online with valid prescriptions. Some companies have doctors on staff who provide consultations and prescriptions.
• At pharmacies. Most pharmacies have common types of birth control pills in stock. Learn about the best OTC birth control here.
• Clinics. Several low- or no-cost clinics offer birth control pills to people without insurance or with insufficient coverage.

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How To Choose The Best Birth Control Pill For You

Because every woman is different, your body may tolerate some brands of birth control pills better than others.

Here are a couple of steps we suggest you consider when thinking about what birth control is best for you:

What are the side effects? Most doctors recommend staying on a new birth control pill for at least 2-3 months. However, different women experience different side effects, so if you try one and its not the right fit, be sure to tell your doctor so you can try a different pill.

What hormones would work best in my body? Most doctors will probably recommend a combined contraceptive, but if estrogen is a concern , you may want to consider a progestin-only pill.

Is it name-brand or generic? In general, when you are looking at name-brand birth controls, they will be more expensive. Depending on your insurance or budget, you may want to ask about the generic version of birth control

Why do I want to be on birth control? If you are simply looking for a contraception method, the pill you choose may be different from if you are looking for birth control for acne, or PMDD, etc. Be mindful of the fact that the pill does not protect against STDs.

What if Im still not sure? Birth control is different for everybody, if you have any questions you should contact your doctor, or sign up for Pill Club to get in touch with an expert.

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Precautions While Using Estrogen And Progestin Oral Contraceptives

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure estrogen and progestin oral contraceptives does not cause unwanted effects. These visits will usually be every 6 to 12 months, but some doctors require them more often.

Tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking estrogen and progestin oral contraceptives before any kind of surgery or emergency treatment. Your doctor will decide whether you should continue taking estrogen and progestin oral contraceptives.

The following medicines may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. You should use an additional method of birth control during each cycle in which any of the following medicines are used:

Check with your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Vaginal bleeding of various amounts may occur between your regular menstrual periods during the first 3 months of use. This is sometimes called spotting when slight, or breakthrough bleeding when heavier. If this should occur:

• Continue on your regular dosing schedule.
• The bleeding usually stops within 1 week.
• Check with your doctor if the bleeding continues for more than 1 week.
• After you have been taking oral contraceptives on schedule and for more than 3 months and bleeding continues, check with your doctor.

Missed menstrual periods may occur:

Check with your doctor if you miss any menstrual periods so that the cause may be determined.

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Dangers And Side Effects

If you get pregnant while taking the minipill, it can cause problems. Youâre more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. This is when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, such as in a fallopian tube. You wonât be able to continue with your pregnancy, and you may need surgery to remove the fetus.

Possible side effects of the minipill include:

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What Warning Signs Should I Know About

Most people on the pill wont have any problems at all. But just in case, its good to know what the signs of a serious issue are.

See a doctor or nurse right away if you have:

• sudden back/jaw pain along with nausea, sweating, or trouble breathing

• chest pain or discomfort

• achy soreness in your leg

• trouble breathing

• severe pain in your belly or stomach

• sudden, very bad headache

• headaches that are different, worse, or happen more often than usual

• yellowing of your skin or eyes

You can always call a nurse or doctor, like the ones at your local Planned Parenthood health center, if you have questions or youre worried about any health issues.

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Precautions While Using Estrogen And Progestin Combination

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure estrogen and progestin combination does not cause unwanted effects. These visits will usually be every year, but some doctors require them more often.

It is not yet known whether the use of estrogens increases the risk of breast cancer in women. Therefore, it is very important that you regularly check your breasts for any unusual lumps or discharge. Report any problems to your doctor. You should also have a mammogram done if your doctor recommends it. Because breast cancer has occurred in men taking estrogens, regular breast self-exams and exams by your doctor for any unusual lumps or discharge should be done.

Tell the doctor in charge that you are taking estrogen and progestin combination before having any laboratory test because some results may be affected.

Estrogen And Birth Control Pills

The birth control pill is 99% effective with perfect use, which makes it one of the most popular options for contraceptives. However, some women dont realize that all birth control pills are not alike. In fact, the makeup of the pills you take can determine what types of side effects and benefits you experience.

Do you know how much estrogen is in your birth control pills? Learn more about how hormones prevent pregnancy and the pill options according to hormone content.

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How To Choose Your Birth Control Method

If youre a sexually active woman and being a mother is not part of your plan at the moment, then you need to take the birth control thing seriously. If youre new to this, you might want to ask your gynaecologist for answers or visit a reproductive health clinic.

Being shy about things is not smart in todays age. If you feel embarrassed to ask questions, you might be dealing with a more embarrassing situation when you have to go in for an abortion.

When recommending the right birth control method for you, the doctor will need to check your general health and preferences.

An important aspect of birth control pills is being able to remember to take them as often as required. If, for instance, you want to take birth control pills but you know you will forget about taking it in the mornings you might want to choose another method.

Other issues include previous pregnancy experiences, issues concerning embarrassing your partner or yourself for that matter, the openness of your partner to the method, the risks of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases , and other concerns or unanswered questions about your method of choice.

Some questions are hard to deal with while others are not. But to protect your health and prevent unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases, these are questions are important to ask sooner than later.

What Is The Best Birth Control Method Overall

Most women who want to protect themselves from pregnancy get a prescription for the pill. Yet there are other forms of contraception, like the IUD for example, that last longer and are even more effective. The pill is a short-term method that suits many people, though youd have to remember to take the pill every day.

Ultimately, the best birth control for you depends on many things and could change over time. The Office on Womens Health says there is no best method of birth control for every woman, but that you should consider things like:

• Whether you want to get pregnant soon or in the next few years

• Possible side effects

• Your overall health

• How comfortable you are with the method, such as having to take a pill everyday

Weve come a long way from one birth control pill option. The number of brands of pills might be a little overwhelming, but we hope that this article will give you confidence when you talk to your doctor. With so many brands of pills and combinations of different ingredients, there is truly a birth control option out there for almost everybody whos eligible to take it. The best birth control pill is the pill that works best for you!

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Triphasic Birth Control Pills

Triphasic birth control pills contain three different doses of hormones so the hormone combination changes approximately every seven days throughout the pill pack.

Depending on the pill brand, the amount of estrogen may change as well as the amount of progestin. In a single months supply, triphasic birth control pills may have a slow increase in estrogen, and some pills may also increase the dose of progestin.

In each pill pack, the first few pills are one strength . The next phase of pills is another strength . The final phase of pills also change strength and are a different color. The last seven pills are placebo pills, so they do not contain hormones.

How Effective Is The Pill

The pill has the potential to be 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if you take it without fail meaning you dont forget to take the pill for even a day or two. However, taking the pill perfectly can be difficult, which is why nine out of 100 women who use the pill will have an unintended pregnancy every year. The pill is most reliable when you take it consistently at the same time each day. Being consistent helps keep hormone levels from fluctuating.

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Why Is This Medication Prescribed

Oral contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy. Estrogen and progestin are two female sex hormones. Combinations of estrogen and progestin work by preventing ovulation . They also change the lining of the uterus to prevent pregnancy from developing and change the mucus at the cervix to prevent sperm from entering. Oral contraceptives are a very effective method of birth control, but they do not prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Some brands of oral contraceptives are also used to treat acne in certain patients. Oral contraceptives treat acne by decreasing the amounts of certain natural substances that can cause acne.

Some oral contraceptives are also used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in women who have chosen to use an oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.

How Does The Minipill Work

In the United States, the progestin-only oral contraceptive is known as norethindrone. According to the Mayo Clinic, norethindrone works by:

• thickening the mucus in your cervix and thinning the lining of your uterus, making it harder for sperm and egg to meet
• preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs

Its important to understand that the progestin-only minipill may not consistently suppress your ovulation.

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