Introduction
The alarming increase in the population because of the
stationary birth rates and the ever lowering death rates of the countries
brought about by the economical an social development has imposed a need
to lower the birth rates. There are also certain social stigmas which are
to be overcome to reduce the birth rates for e.g. till recently in certain
parts of the world the birth control pills were not socially accepted. But
since their introduction they have placed themselves into a commanding
position into one’s family life.
History of birth control pills
The term birth control pill is usually referred to the group of drugs
used by females to avoid pregnancy. In 1955 a couple of scientists,
introduced the concept of birth control pills when they used progestins
for birth control. Before that people used to try things like condoms,
diaphragms, sponges and even avoiding sexual intercourse at the time of
the fertile period. The latter had its disadvantages with its efficiency
being very low as compared with the former ones. Later it was also found
that adding estrogens made them more efficient.
Types of birth control pills
Because of the great success and the increased demand of the birth
control pills there has been extensive research in this field and hence
there are different types of the pills available to cater different
population. Broadly there are 4 types of birth control pills and besides
these are certain injections used for long-term birth control. The 4 types
are:
1) Combined pills
This type consists of both estrogen and progestin. This is the most
common type of pills used today. This is a set of 28 pills to be taken
daily.
2) Phased regimen pills
Now been used rarely and only for those greater than 35 years of age.
3) Minipill
Females who cannot take estrogen for some reason or the other can take
this type of pill wherein there is no estrogen.
4) Postcoital or emergency pills
This is used to avoid pregnancy in those cases in which the females can
become pregnant because of unprotected sexual intercourse. This is to be
taken within 3 days of the sexual
intercourse.
Effectiveness and other advantages
Because of their main action on hormonal changes these pills are much
more effective, some studies lay the figures of 10 times, than the
traditional methods. There is also more patient compliance as they are not
to be used only at the time of the sexual intercourse. Moreover they can
be used in crowded home situations.
Side effects
They may cause certain side effects such as nausea, weight changes,
breakthrough bleeding, blood glucose disturbance, mood swings,
hypertension, clot formation in leg and lung veins and some genital
carcinomas but the incidence is very less. So a specialist should
thoroughly examine the case before being prescribed.
Contraindications
They should not be prescribed in subjects having some liver disease,
suspected certain gynecological cancers, clotting disease, etc.
Male birth control pills
There are also certain male birth control pills available in the market
such as gossypol as well as in research stage but both because of the
patient non-compliance and because of their less effectiveness and various
side effects, they are not as popular as the female birth control pills.
