The combined oral contraceptive pill is most of the time referred to as just “the pill”. It’s made up of man-made oestrogen and progesterone, the female hormones produced by the ovaries. After unprotected sex, pregnancy can occur if sperm gets to an ovum (egg). The purpose of contraception is to prevent this from happening, either by stopping the sperm from getting to the egg or by preventing ovulation (release of an egg). Keep reading to learn more about the contraceptive pill in Manchester and how it works.
The pill works by stopping egg release from happening every month (ovulation). It also:
– Makes it harder for the sperm to get inside the womb to the egg by thickening the mucus found in the uterus.
– Thins the womb lining, making it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant into the womb and grow.
The pill can be over 99% effective if used the right way.
The pill comes in many different brands, summed up into 3 main types:
This type is the most used in the UK. Every pill comes with the same quantity of hormone in it. A single pill is used every day for 21 days, before taking a 7-day break.
Phasic pills come in 2 or 3 sections, each pack containing pills of different colours. Each section contains pills with a different quantity of hormones. Just like monophasic pills, a single pill is used each day for 21 days followed by a 7-day break.
A pack of ED pills contains 21 active pills and 7 inactive pills (dummies). The two kinds of pills are different in appearance, arranged in a particular order. A pill is taken every day for 28 days with no break. The pills have to be taken in the correct order.
It’s difficult for your pharmacist to decide on a contraceptive pill that won’t lead to side effects. Most women don’t experience any side effects when on the combined or progesterone-only pill, but may have to try different pills before settling on one that best suits them. Every woman experiences a different reaction to a particular pill while different pills can also come with different side effects.
Some of the side effects reported are:
– Mood changes, depression and mood swings
– Headaches
– Irregular or unusual bleeding during the first 3 months
– Acne
– Nausea
– Low libido
– Breast pain
It’s recommended that you read through the patient leaflet that comes with the medication, considering every contraceptive pill comes with slightly different side effects. In some cases, unusual side effects may be experienced.
In certain countries, doctors and pharmacists encourage the use of both the pill and condoms. Reports have shown some of the lowest unwanted pregnancy rates globally due to the increased use of condoms and contraception pills. Using both contraceptive options provides you protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Talk to Heald Green Pharmacy today to get over-the-counter contraception pills, as well as other contraception options that work for you. You can also get emergency contraception from us, both in-store and online. Visit us today to get your contraceptive pill in Manchester.
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This blog post was written on behalf of Heald Green Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.
