Today, every couple can plan for the birth of children and control their sex life thanks to the merits of the pharmaceutical industry. A huge selection of contraceptives allows you to choose the right method of protection against pregnancy and / or sexually transmitted infections.
Overview of some contraceptives
The list of means and methods of protection is estimated at a dozen positions or more. This is coitus interruptus, and the calendar method, and the use of spermicides (the so-called non-hormonal pills and suppositories), and common condoms, and hormonal patches, rings, and the intrauterine device, and injections, and patches, and oral contraceptives. Read more about each method, and especially birth control pills, below.
Coitus interruption
The most unreliable options for contraception are coitus interruptus and the calendar method. PPA is generally difficult to call a method of contraception. The essence of the method is to extractpenis before ejaculation.
In 60% of couples who use PAP, pregnancy occurs in the first year of using the method. Yes, and according to statistics, 80% of women who became pregnant "accidentally" were protected precisely by interrupted intercourse. The problem is that not all men feel the onset of ejaculation. One "wrong" move, and the chance of getting pregnant increases significantly.
Calendar method
The method is slightly more efficient than the previous one - 65%. There are 10-15 pregnancies per 100 women who take the risk of contraception in this way. This method becomes more relevant after 30 than for young girls. Only girls and women with a regular menstrual cycle can afford to be protected in this way.
The essence of the method is to calculate the so-called dangerous days on the calendar and not have sex during this period. In general, from the 16th day until the expected start of the next menstruation, the probability of conception is greatest. The most dangerous days fall in the middle of the cycle - from the 12th to the 18th day of the cycle (with a 28-day cycle).
Cons: errors, irregular cycle, in which it is almost impossible to accurately calculate the day of ovulation, hormonal disruptions. There are other nuances - if sexual intercourse occurred a few days before the expected ovulation, spermatozoa can live in the genital tract for several days and fertilize the egg even after such a seemingly long time. To increase the reliability of this method of contraception, you need to learn how to correctly calculate dangerous days. In addition to the calendar method, you canuse ovulation test strips or follow basal temperature charts.
Spermicides and non-hormonal pills
Another not very effective way (70% reliability) is spermicides. These are special substances that are introduced into the vagina and have a negative effect on spermatozoa, after which they can no longer fertilize the female egg. Drugs with a similar mechanism of action are sold in pharmacies in the form of suppositories, creams, capsules or tablets, which are injected directly inside before sex.
Such non-hormonal contraceptive pills (which ones are better to choose, reviews of different types - below) are used by many women who, for one reason or another, are afraid to take conventional OK (oral contraceptives). Such non-hormonal tablets are recommended for use in premenopausal women, patients with endocrine system dysfunction, individual sensitivity and an adverse reaction to conventional OK. Importantly, these contraceptive pills can be used with GW (breastfeeding).
How to choose non-hormonal contraceptives? The rating of the best is presented by such tablets:
- "Pharmateks". Available in the form of tablets, cream and suppositories. The average price of a package of 12 tablets is 250 rubles.
- "Gynekoteks". The same form of release, the price is 100 rubles for the same 12 tablets.
- "Benatex". The cost of 10 tablets is 250-300 rubles.
- "Erotex". Price 5 pcs. – 110rubles.
- "Kontratex".
How to choose pills? It is advisable to consult a doctor, otherwise it is worth focusing on personal feelings when using. Some pills, for example, cause itching in some women, which disappears when switching to another brand of drugs.
Barrier contraception
Barrier methods protect not only from conception and unwanted pregnancy, but also from sexually transmitted infections. But the reliability of such means is not 100% (moreover, no contraceptive is 100% reliable, except for complete abstinence from any kind of sexual contact), but is only about 85%. Barrier methods include the use of condoms, but they can also break, and then all efforts will go in vain, and lubricate the sensations of sexual intercourse.
Hormonal patches and ring
Other non-invasive methods include patches and a hormone ring. The effectiveness of such funds reaches 92%. The patch adheres to the skin, but is noticeable, requires regular replacement, and is not suitable for use by women over 90 kg. The ring is inserted into the vagina, but also has disadvantages: in some cases, it can cause a change in the nature of menstrual bleeding and disrupt the regularity of menstruation. These methods do not have contraceptive side effects such as treating acne, relieving PMS symptoms, or preventing seborrhea.
Implants and injections
Hormonal implants and injections are essentially the same oralcontraceptives, i.e. birth control pills, only with a different mechanism of action. If the substances from the tablets are absorbed through the digestive tract, then injectable contraceptives are administered intramuscularly. The frequency of injections is once a month or every three months. Implants are inserted into the shoulder and require replacement only once every five years. The effectiveness of methods is 90-99%.
Such contraception, however, can cause migraines, changes in the menstrual cycle, hormonal disruptions, decreased libido or weight gain. Injections and implants are generally not used by young women who have not yet given birth, this method of contraception is more suitable for women in their thirties and forties who do not plan to have a child in the near future.
Intrauterine device
The second most effective method of contraception after birth control pills is the intrauterine device. The method also refers to the barrier, only the spiral is installed in the uterine cavity, preventing the embryo from fixing. But the installation of a spiral can cause a change in the nature of menstruation, sometimes causes intermenstrual bleeding, pain, increases the risk of developing various inflammations and the onset of an ectopic pregnancy.
Oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives protect against unwanted pregnancy, but not against sexually transmitted diseases. The newer birth control pills have an added benefit: many drugs contain the active form of folic acid, so they make it easier tosymptoms of PMS, have an antidepressant effect, help fight acne, improve the condition of the skin and hair. The reliability of OK is 99.7%, but this method of contraception requires prior consultation with a gynecologist, attentiveness and organization of a woman when taking it. It is this method of planned contraception that will be discussed further.
Classification of OK by hormone content
All contraceptive pills are divided into 2 large groups: combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and mini-pills. COCs contain an estrogen analogue and a progestogen. The mechanism of action of such pills is that they block the onset of ovulation (the maturation of the egg and its readiness for conception), make the implantation of the egg into the uterine cavity impossible due to "glandular regression" and thicken the mucus, which disrupts the movement of sperm to the female reproductive cell.
COCs are divided into groups according to the variation of hormones and their content. So, there are monophasic, two- and three-phase tablets (more on them later), as well as microdosed, low-dosed and high-dosed COCs. Microdosed OK are suitable for young girls, since the content of active substances in tablets is minimal. The ranking of this type of birth control pill is as follows:
- "Jess".
- Marvelon.
- "Klaira" (the only three-phase tablets in the list of microdosed).
- "Dimia".
- "Zoeli".
- "Logest".
- "Mersilon".
- "Lindinet".
- "Novinet".
Low-dose OCs are suitable for both young and older women, and can be used by those patients who experience intermenstrual bleeding when using microdose tablets. Such birth control pills are suitable for women who have given birth. In addition, low-dose OCs prevent hair growth in unwanted areas, eliminate oily skin and acne, and reduce the manifestations of seborrhea.
The ranking of low-dose contraceptive pills is presented by the following COCs:
- "Yarina.
- Zhanine tablets.
- "Silhouette".
- "Diana".
- Femoden tablets.
- "Three-merci".
- "Lindinet".
- Pills "Cilest".
- "Minisiston" and others.
High-dose OK can only be taken on the recommendation of a gynecologist. Such drugs are used, as a rule, for therapeutic purposes (for the treatment of endometriosis, hormonal disorders and other diseases). In the ranking of contraceptive pills with a high concentration of hormones are OK:
- "Non-Ovlon".
- "Trikivlar".
- "Ovidon".
- "Trieseston".
- "Tri-Regol".
Another type of contraceptive - mini-pill - contains only progestogen. The minipill affects the reproductive system only at the local level:
- increase the viscosity and amount of cervical mucus, which interferes with the free movement of spermatozoa;
- change the biochemical and morphological structure of the uterine endometrium, which makes it impossible to fix the embryo even in case of fertilization.
The mini-pill completely blocks ovulation in only half of women, but this does not affect the reliability of the pills as a method of protection.
The minipill-type contraceptive pill rating is represented by the following products:
- "Charozetta" (800 rubles per pack).
- "Laktinet" (530 rubles).
- "Orgametril" (1100 rubles).
- "Exluton" (1250 rubles).
There is also emergency contraception, which is used if unprotected sex has occurred, which can lead to pregnancy. These birth control pills are taken within 72 hours after sex. A common example of an OK of this type is Postinor. You need to take birth control pills within 72 hours after having sex, otherwise there will be no effect from emergency contraception. You can not use such drugs all the time.
Monophasic, bi- and triphasic preparations
COCs also differ in the variation in the content of hormones, dividing into monophasic, two- and three-phase. In monophasic tablets, the percentage of substances does not change in each tablet, in two-phase tablets, the ratio of active components changes in the first and second halves of the cycle, in three-phase tablets, the percentage of substances changes three times bypackaging.
Monophasic birth control pills:
- "Regulon";
- "Rigevidon";
- "Janine";
- "Silhouette";
- "Lindinet";
- "Logest";
- "Femoden";
- Microgynon and others.
Two-phase OK:
- "Femoston";
- "Binovum";
- "Bifazil";
- "Adepal";
- "Anteovin" and others.
Three-phase drugs are represented by Tri-Merci, Triziston, Tri-Regol and others.
How to choose the right birth control pills
You cannot choose birth control pills on your own or even with the help of a pharmacist in a pharmacy. To find the right contraceptive, you need to go to the doctor. The gynecologist will interview the patient, find out if there are any diseases (whether they were in the past) and which ones, and conduct an examination. During the examination, the gynecologist will measure the patient's weight, blood pressure, assess the condition of the skin, palpate the breasts and prescribe tests. You may also need to visit an ophthalmologist, as long-term use of OCs increases the risk of various eye diseases.
Pills that best suit the patient, the doctor chooses depending on the phenotype. The phenotype takes into account the growth and appearance of a woman, the mammary glands, the degree of hairiness, the condition of the skin, hair, existing chronic diseases, the nature and frequency of menstruation,the presence and severity of PMS and so on.
There are three main phenotypes:
- Women of short or medium height with dry skin and hair. Menstruation is profuse and long, the cycle is more than 28 days. Such patients are suitable for medium and high-dose COCs, for example, "Milvane", "Trisiston", "Femoden" and others.
- Women of average height, with normal oily hair and skin, with medium-sized breasts. There are no symptoms of PMS in this type of women or they do not cause negative, painful sensations. The menstrual cycle is standard - 5 days, every 28 days. Suitable tablets are Marvelon, Regulon, Tri-Merci, Silest, Logest, Tri-Regol and others (most COCs on the market).
- Women who are tall, underdeveloped mammary glands, oily hair and skin. Menstruation is frequent and painful, but scanty, PMS symptoms are often severe. Suitable tablets "Yarina", "Jess", "Zoeli", "Dimia".
Rating of oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives are too diverse to form an overall ranking. But still, the recommendations of gynecologists and patient reviews allow us to highlight some of the best COCs of the new generation. The rating of birth control pills is presented by such drugs:
- "Jess". They not only perform a direct function, that is, they protect against unwanted pregnancy, but also treat a number of gynecologicaldiseases, hormone dependence, improve the condition of the skin and hair, reduce the manifestations of PMS and relieve painful periods. How to drink birth control pills "Jess"? According to the instructions, you need to start taking it from the first day of menstruation, pink pills should be taken every day, and from the 25th to the 28th day - take white (placebo). After the end of the cycle, start the next package.
- "Jess Plus". The same "Jess", only the composition also includes an active form of folic acid, which normalizes the psycho-emotional state and avoids unpleasant consequences if pregnancy does occur: the body will be ready to bear a child, despite taking pills. If the patient decides to stop taking OCs in order to become pregnant, planning can begin as early as the next cycle after stopping. In addition, Jess Plus is a birth control pill that does not make you fat. The latter is confirmed by patient feedback.
- Pills "Janine". According to the girls and women who took Janine, this drug somewhat reduces sexual desire, but is reliable. In addition, "Janine" is a birth control pill that does not make you fat, which is proven by many reviews.
- Marvelon. OK are recommended for use by women after 25-35 years of age who are of childbearing age, but have already given birth. The content of hormones is minimal, but the tablets are suitable for patients who are sexually active. Like other OK, "Marvelon" improves the appearance, skin condition andhair, normalizes hormonal balance and reduces hair growth in unwanted places.
- "Regulon", instructions for use, price, reviews of which are of interest to many women, costs about 1150 rubles (63 tab.). Tablets should be taken daily, from the first to the twenty-first day of the cycle. This is followed by a seven-day break. After a break, you need to start taking it again, even if your period has not stopped yet, the drug "Regulon". Instructions for use, price, reviews should be studied before buying. The opinions of the patients are contradictory: some women became irritable and gained weight, noted a significant deterioration in well-being and a menstrual cycle failure, others were completely satisfied with the drug, while others did not suit them.
- "Depo-Provera". Tablets are recommended for women after forty years of age, can be used in the treatment of various kinds of gynecological diseases. There are injections - doctors say that Depo-Provera is much more effective than in the form of tablets.
- "Pharmateks". This is a non-hormonal contraceptive that is inserted directly into the vagina in the form of suppositories. It is recommended to use "Pharmatex" for women over 45 years of age who have an active sex life.
- "Yarina". The drug is low-dose and has an anti-adrogenic effect. Some patients claim that they managed to get pregnant while taking Yarina strictly according to the instructions. How to take contraceptive pills "Yarina"? You need to drink OK every day, starting from the 1st day of the cycle, in the order indicatedon blister.
- "Lactinet" is not a combined remedy, but a mini-pill that has a number of contraindications, so a doctor's consultation is required before taking it. The tablets are suitable for women over 45, patients with diabetes, varicose veins, smokers, breastfeeders.
- Contraceptive pills "Silhouette". Many patients note a visible improvement in the appearance of the skin and hair, stabilization of the menstrual cycle, reduction of pain during menstruation and symptoms of PMS. But Silhouette birth control pills can cause weight gain - about half of women complain about this side effect.
Side effects of taking birth control
Reliable, safe (if you consult a gynecologist before taking) and convenient method of contraception - birth control pills. Side effects, however, also exist. Among them:
- nausea;
- lack of menstruation;
- lack of appetite;
- weight gain;
- uncharacteristic discharge between periods;
- dizziness, headaches;
- decrease in libido;
- swelling of the legs;
- chest pain.
If side effects occur, birth control pills should be discontinued.
Contraindications for taking
Contraindications for taking OK can include:
- hypertension;
- kidney pathology;
- pregnancy;
- serious diseasescardiovascular system;
- Migraines of unknown origin;
- preparation for surgery;
- overweight (more than 30%);
- smoking after 35 years (for some pills, this fact is not a contraindication - you need a mandatory doctor's consultation);
- diabetes mellitus (you can apply some OK) and so on.
Whether to take birth control pills is a personal choice for every woman. This is a reliable means of contraception, which is convenient to use for those who have an active sex life. At the same time, there are a number of side effects that occur if you choose the wrong remedy. So, the main thing to be guided by when choosing and taking birth control pills is the recommendations of a gynecologist.
