THE MINI-PILL
This is an oral progestogen-only preparation. It is a suitable alternative when oestrogens are contra-indicated (including patients with venous thrombosis or a past history to venous thrombosis). They are suitable for older women, breastfeeding women, heavy smokers, and for those with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and migraine.
You have to remember to take the mini-pill same time every single day of the year even when you are on your period. If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember and carry on with the next pill at the right time. If the pill was more than 3 hours overdue you are not protected. Continue normal pill taking but you must also use a back-up method such as the condom, for the next two days.
SIDE EFFECTS
- Headache
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
- Periods may be irregular
- Periods may stop
- If you become pregnant while taking the mini-pill, there is a chance that the pregnancy may be ectopic (outside the womb).
- May cause breast tenderness
- There's a risk of cysts.
THE PILL
This is a combination of an oestrogen and a progestogen. It contains 21 active and 7 inactive pills. The pills should be taken same time each day. If one or more tablets are missed for more than 12 hours, contraceptive protection may be reduced. If you vomit within 2-3 hours of taking the pill, the pill would not have been absorbed. Take another pill as soon as possible.
Do not take the pill if:
- you think you are pregnant.
- you are very overweight.
- you are 35 years or over and you smoke.
- you have history of blood clots
- you have diabetes with complications.
- you have breast cancer or breast cancer within the last 5 years.
ADVANTAGES
- Doesn't interfere with intercourse.
- It relieves premenstrual tension for some women.
- It makes bleeding regular, lighter and less painful.
- It reduces the risk of pelvic infection, fibroids, ovarian cysts and non-cancerous breast disease.
DISADVANTAGES
- Headache
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings
- May increase blood pressure, so people taking it should have their blood pressure checked every 3 months. Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- Vagina bleeding may occur during the first few months in addition to the usual bleeding between packs.
The pill should be started on the first day of your period or upto and including the fifth day of your period. If you start the pill at any other time in your menstrual cycle you will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the first seven days of taking the pill. Taking the combined pill when breastfeeding may reduce your flow of milk. It is better you use a different method of contraception.
The pill is about 99 percent effective if taken according to instructions
No comments:
Post a Comment