Birth Control Pills , Brands, Types of Oral Contraceptives, Side Effects and Drug Interactions
Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives)
Birth control pills also known as OCs, BCPs, oral contraceptive pills, or OCPs or simply Oral contraceptives are medications that work to prevent pregnancy. They are one of many methods and options available for birth control.
How Does this methods of Birth Control (Birth Control Pills) work to prevent pregancy
Oral contraceptives are hormonal preparations that may contain combinations of the hormones estrogen and progestin or progestin alone. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) play key roles in the development of the egg and preparation of the lining of the uterus for implantation of the embryo. Combinations of estrogen and progestin prevent pregnancy by inhibiting the release of the LH and FSH from the pituitary gland in the brain. Progestin also makes the uterine mucus that surrounds the egg more difficult for sperm to penetrate and, therefore, for fertilization to take place. Progestin may also inhibit ovulation (release of the egg) in some women.
There are different types of combination birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin:
- Monophasic Birth Control Pills
- Biphasic Birth Control Pills
- Triphasic Birth Control Pills
Monophasic birth control pills deliver a constant dose of both estrogen and progestin in each of the hormonally active pills throughout the entire cycle (21 days of ingesting active pills). Different types of birth control pills brans in this category of oral contraception may be available in several strengths of estrogen or progesterone, allowing physicians to choose according to a woman’s individual needs and requirements. Some of the commercially availble birthcontrol pills brands are Alesse, Brevicon, Demulen, Desogen, Levlen, Levlite, Loestrin, Microgestin, Modicon, Necon, Nelova, Nordette, Norinyl, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Ovral, Yasmin, Zovia
Biphasic birth control pills typically contain 2 different doses designed to avoid pregnancy. These types of Birth Control pills deliver the same amount of estrogen every day for the first 21 days of the cycle. During the first half of the cycle, the progestin/estrogen ratio is lower to allow the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to thicken as it normally does during the menstrual cycle. During the second half of the cycle, the progestin/estrogen ratio is higher to allow the normal shedding of the lining of the uterus to occur. Some of the commercially availble birthcontrol pills brands are Jenest, Mircette, Necon, Nelova, Ortho-Novum .
Triphasic birth control pills have constant or changing estrogen concentrations and varying progestin concentrations throughout the cycle. Triphasic pills gradually increase the dose of estrogen during the cycle (some pills also increase the progesterone dose). Three different increasing pill doses are contained in each cycle. Some of the commercially available birth control pill brands of this type include Cyclessa, Estrostep, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO, Tri-Levlen, Tri-Norinyl, Triphasil, Trivora .
There is no evidence that biphasic or triphasic birth control pills are safer or superior to monophasic oral contraceptives, or vice versa, in their effectiveness in the prevention of pregnancy. Seek advice from your your physician before you decide on which of the three types of birth control methods are safe and fits your particular health situation.