In the article we will figure out which is better - birth control pills or a spiral.
The question of protection from unwanted pregnancy sooner or later decides every woman. It is very important that contraception is as safe and reliable as possible. Today, hormonal agents and intrauterine systems are considered the most effective methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Which is better - a spiral or birth control pills? To understand which option to choose from the two most reliable, you need to understand the pros and cons of these methods.
Pills: principle of action
Oral contraceptives contain estrogens, which are responsible for pregnancy. Hormone-containing contraceptives can block ovulation. This eliminates the possibility of fertilization.
Oral contraceptives have an effect on the uterine mucus, which thickens and becomes a kind of barrier to the penetration of spermatozoa inside. Even if they managed to penetrate the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes, pregnancy will not occur either. Under the influence of hormonal agents, the uterine membrane becomes thinner, which makes it impossible for the embryo to attach to it.
Varieties of pills
There are several varieties of such contraceptives, the principle of which is slightly different. Pills split:
- on progestin;
- combined;
Combined contains two types of hormones: progestin and estrogen. They come in low-, micro- and high-dose, which are used for different categories of women - young and nulliparous or adults with children.
Medications of the progestogen type contain only progestin. They are prescribed if there are contraindications to the use of combined drugs. They can be prescribed even to lactating women.
Many are wondering what is better - birth control pills or a spiral.
Pros and cons of pills
Oral contraceptives have many advantages, thanks to which they have gained immense popularity. These benefits include:
- high reliability - 99%;
- versatility - such tools can be used at any age;
- stabilization of the menstrual cycle and hormonal levels - pills relieve pronouncedpremenstrual syndrome, stabilize the cycle, eliminate menstrual pain, improve the condition of the skin and hair;
- reducing the risk of certain diseases - tumor-like formations in the genital organs, endometriosis;
- have no effect on reproductive function (if canceled, you can get pregnant);
- protection against ectopic pregnancy;
- ease of use.
The disadvantages of pills are:
- reception features - daily, at the same time, and if this schedule is violated, the risk of conception increases;
- multiple contraindications - can not be used for problems with the liver, kidneys, heart, high blood pressure, smoking;
- side effects - these contraceptives can cause very unpleasant symptoms, such as spotting in the middle of the cycle, headaches, lethargy, decreased libido, increased appetite, fluid retention, etc.;
- reduced effectiveness of antibiotics.
The principle of the spiral
The intrauterine device is recommended only for women who have given birth, as it can thin the endometrium, which increases the risk of miscarriage in the future in nulliparous women or even lead to infertility.
The principle of the spiral is that it prevents the implantation of the egg in the uterine cavity. A foreign body provokes a thickening of the uterine tissues, which makes it impossible for them to introduce a fetal egg.
Modern copper coils are focused onspermicidal effect. They contain hormonal substances that thicken the fluid of the cervical canal, inhibiting the activity of spermatozoa. The presence of such substances increases the contraceptive effect of the spiral. Such funds are not inferior in effectiveness to COCs, however, such systems do not protect against sexual infections and are relevant only if there is a permanent sexual partner.
Sometimes women switch to birth control pills after the IUD and vice versa.
Advantages and disadvantages of the spiral
The spiral is a fairly popular method of contraception. Many women choose it because of its numerous advantages, which include:
- high efficiency - intrauterine device eliminates conception by 97%;
- long period action - three to five years;
- convenience and cost-effectiveness - you do not need to constantly buy a spiral, follow a certain schedule;
- unconditional action - intrauterine devices do not interact with medications, and a high level of protection does not depend on circumstances;
- does not affect the reproductive function in the future - if there are no complications after the installation of the system, then the childbearing function resumes immediately after its removal;
- the spiral can be used immediately after childbirth - it does not affect the lactation process, so it is ideal for lactating women (allowed 6 weeks after a successful birth).
The disadvantages of intrauterine contraception are:
- whenthe slightest ailment, you must consult a specialist;
- increased chance of ectopic pregnancy as the IUD only works within the endometrium and egg attachment can occur outside the uterine cavity;
- you need to constantly monitor the position of the system, which is carried out independently by threads. The displacement of the spiral significantly reduces its contraceptive effectiveness;
- discomfort after installation - at first, menstruation can become very heavy.
The spiral is administered only in a medical institution. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, but even this is not always a guarantee that the introduction will not entail negative complications. Among them, the greatest danger is the inflammatory process, prolonged bleeding. After such a procedure, a strong pain syndrome may occur, and menstrual irregularities are often noted. The occurrence of pathological symptoms is the reason for the removal of a foreign body. The intrauterine device cannot be installed in diseases of the pelvic organs, the presence of benign tumors, pathological discharge of unknown etiology.
Which is better - Mirena coil or birth control pills?
Mirena Coil
Intrauterine system "Mirena" with the release of the active component (levonorgestrel) produces a progestogen effect. This substance is released into the uterine cavity, which allows it to be used in lowdosages. Concentrating in the endometrium, it reduces the sensitivity of progesterone and estrogen receptors, providing a powerful antiproliferative effect and making the muscular layer of the uterus immune to estradiol.
During application, there is a weak reaction to the presence of a spiral in the uterus and at the same time changes in the endometrium, and as a result of an increase in the viscosity of the cervical secretion, sperm motility is inhibited, and their penetration into the uterus is prevented. In some cases, when using such a spiral, inhibition of ovulatory function is observed, however, after extraction, fertilization occurs in 80% of women.
In the first months of using this spiral, bleeding may increase. In the future, there is a decrease in the duration of menstrual bleeding and a decrease in their volume. In some cases, bleeding can transform into amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea.
Which is better - birth control pills or spiral?
When choosing a method of contraception, it is important to know which one is the safest and most effective. Only a gynecologist can determine what is best in each individual case, taking into account the pros and cons of both methods of contraception in relation to a particular patient, the structural features of the uterus (for a spiral), the woman's age, concomitant diseases, etc. You should know that nulliparous women rarely put a spiral, and this is due to the risk of infertility.
Pills should also not be taken without consulting a doctor. doctor picks upthe best option for such funds, taking into account all the pros and cons.
Reviews
So, which is better - a spiral or contraceptive pills according to reviews?
Women's opinions about these methods of contraception are divided. Some prefer to take hormonal pills, because they believe that the presence of a spiral in the uterus as a foreign body does not bring anything good for women's he alth, plus there is a possibility of an ectopic pregnancy.
Reviews about the spiral or birth control pills should be read in advance.
Other women prefer COCs to the intrauterine device and explain this by the fact that oral products contain hormones, and this upsets the overall balance in the body and can cause a lot of disorders. In addition, it is inconvenient for this category of women to take daily pills.
We looked at which is better - birth control pills or a spiral.
