Birth Control
Over half of you reading this is Female so I know you can relate.
Ive previously mentioned that I didnt know SHIT about the menstrual cycle, well along with that i knew sweet fuck all about Birth control.
Back in the day the Dr gave me a script for ‘The Pill’ without much of an explanation as to why. All they mentioned was it can prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
No other reasons why I had to take this little pill everyday.
No side effects, no implications to my health and well being. Just take it and she’ll be right.
In the following information I'll refer to Birth Control as BC, saves me typing it trillions of times.
So what is BC?
It is any type of method below that is used to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
By preventing the follicle from developing and ovulation occurring.
It can also be used to help track a menstrual cycle and alleviate some of the symptoms that come along with it (PMS/PMDD).
Along with peak fertility for a womans cycle, it can be used with another type of barrier for protection when unprotected sex happens.
BC can be useful to help treat some medical conditions to control levels of hormones to help treat these conditions, such as PCOS, Endometriosis, endometrial and ovarian cancers, Menstrual Cycle Dysfunctions, insulin resistance and elevated test levels.
Why do we use BC?
Note: Different personal situations will be the reason a woman will start BC
It can be used to:
help keep control of differing levels of hormones
aid in relieving PMS/PMDD Symptoms that can often be severe
manipulate the cycle for sports competitions/holidays/convenience
Reduction of pain or heavy bleeding
Maintain a regular period
Reduction of Acne
Some side effects when using BC?
Note: Not every single person will experience these but it can happen.
Spotting/bleeding between periods
Headaches/migraines
Weight Gain
Weight Loss
Lean muscle mass loss
Change of moods
Decreased sex drive
Depression
Nausea
Bloating
If you are concerned about anything listed above, take this with a grain of salt, this is research i've found and read as well as some personal experiences, speak to a women's health care professional.
Types of oral BC:
Most oral BC will contain synthetic forms of progesterone and estrogen hormones where some can be a combination of both hormones or solely a progestin only. This tells the brain all hormones are normal, there is then a reduction in the release of Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone which in turn can prevent pregnancy.
‘The Pill’ is usually to be taken everyday at the same time, not to be forgotten about.
Other types of BC:
IUD - Localised to the uterus, releases 2nd gen progestin for 5 years with continuous BC. Can continue to have a cycle each month, but symptoms of PMS, heavy bleeding and pain does reduce.
Implanon - releases 3rd gen progestin for 3 years with continuous BC. a small plastic rod inserted into the arm/under the bicep.
Injection - Depo shot - Progestin only which is long lasting. To be had every 3 months for continuous BC.
Patch - releases synthetic estrogen and 3rd gen progestin into the body via the skin.
Vaginal Ring - flexible ring inserted into the vagina, releases and absorbs synthetic estrogen and 3rd gen progestin into the vaginal lining. Needs to be replaced every 21days.
Forms of BC:
These are the patterns of hormone release using BC. The most commonly used will be Monophasic and Triphasic forms.
Monophasic - maintains a continuous level of hormones across the cycle
Diphasic - BC raises the level of progestin for the last 11 days of the cycle, not commonly used.
Triphasic - a complex pattern where the ethinyl estradiol (synthetic Estrogen) are raised in the middle of the 21 day cycle before reduced again, progestin levels are increased twice over the 21days. This attempts to mimic normal hormone changes if you were off BC.
Quadriphasic - alters progestin levels 3 times over the 21day cycle, not commonly used.
