How To Avail Birth Control Contraceptives

If some one is thinking of using a low dose birth pill for the first time; they need to know some facts to help them to make that final decision. These few facts may bring them up to speed so that they can trot off to the doctor and discuss which pill is best for them at this point in their contraception career.

Low dose birth control pills affect cervical mucous and the lining of the uterus and ovulation. First of all, people should assume that they already know that a low dose birth control pill contains synthetic hormones the estrogen and progestin that if used correctly and consistently, can prevent them from becoming pregnant 99% of the time by stopping them from ovulating each month releasing an egg from their ovaries.

If there is no egg for a little male sperm to penetrate or fertilize then no baby can develop. The other 'action' that occurs each month as a result of taking a low dose birth control pill is that the mucous around the cervix or neck of the womb is thickened by the progestin ingredient in the pill. Why does this help to protect people from getting pregnant- because that little sperm finds it a heck of a lot harder to swim through thick stuff than thin stuff so even in the event of an egg escaping, the poor little guy is exhausted even before he ever gets to that egg! The third way in which the low dose birth control pill affects the body is to thin the lining of the uterus which makes it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant and grow there should it get that far. This action is a controversial one for some people who view this 'back up' effect as abortion.

Now people must know when ovulation occurs. Ovulation usually happens around day 14 of the cycle as a woman is fertile when she is ovulating and ovulation usually occurs mid cycle, most women know exactly when this happens but it can vary by about a week, depending on the length of the cycle. The ovulation process itself requires a maximum of thirty-six hours to complete. Normally, women do not ovulate until at least 10 days after stopping the birth control pills. If an egg is fertilized by a sperm, 6-12 days later if conditions are receptive, it may implant itself in the uterus, if women take the pill every day the conditions are not receptive. Women should use back up such as diaphragm, condoms, or foam during the first month of pill taking. They can choose which day to start their low dose birth control pill taking regime. If women are using a 21-day pack, should stop taking pills for 1 week and then start their new pack but they must not forget to start again 7 days later as extending the 'gap' between packs is one of the main reasons why women get pregnant while on the low dose birth control pill!

As one starts to take the pills soon gets into a routine- but it helps if women link their pill taking to another action they carry out daily such as cleaning their teeth or having a glass of water at bedtime. They can keep their low dose birth control pill pack next to their toothbrush or in their bedside table drawer. The pills work best if they take one at about the same time every day this is especially important for the 'mini' pill. They should check their pack of low dose birth control pills each morning to make sure they took their pill the day before.

• John Palsson
• 17/11/2008, 2:30 AM
• 0 Comments