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Are birth control pills harmful to the body? No! You have to tell the difference between emergency contraception and short-acting pills

author:Dr. Wong of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Have you ever been confused about emergency contraceptives and short-acting oral contraceptives? Perhaps you've heard the claim that birth control pills are harmful to your body and make you hesitate to use them.

Birth control pills are mostly a combination of estrogen and progestin. These two hormones are originally present in the female body, and through the change of concentration, the female menstrual cycle is completed. Artificially taking "estrogen + progesterone" can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, thus having the effect of contraception.

Are birth control pills harmful to the body? No! You have to tell the difference between emergency contraception and short-acting pills

Female oral contraceptives are mostly compound preparations, which can be divided into short-acting contraceptives and emergency contraceptives according to the different duration of contraception.

Emergency contraceptive pills (emergency contraceptives)

Mechanism of action:

The mechanism of action of the emergency contraceptive pill is to prevent the fertilized egg from implanting, thereby preventing pregnancy from occurring. It contains active ingredients that can interfere with the normal developmental process of a woman's menstrual cycle, thereby delaying or preventing the release of an egg, or altering the structure of the endometrium that prevents a fertilized egg from implanting.

Suitable for:

Emergency contraceptive pills are used in situations where birth control fails unexpectedly or when contraception is not used, such as not using any contraceptive method during sex, when a condom breaks or slips, etc. It does not apply to long-term contraceptive needs, but should be used as an emergency in case of contraceptive failure.

How to use:

Emergency contraception is relatively simple to use, usually by mouth. Emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after sexual intercourse (usually within 72 hours of sexual activity) to increase its effectiveness. At the same time, it is advisable to pay close attention to the body's reaction after taking the drug and seek medical advice if necessary.

Side effect:

Although emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy, it may cause some adverse effects like headache, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, etc. In addition, long-term, frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills may have an impact on the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular or irregular periods.

Safety Assessment:

Emergency contraception is generally safe in terms of safety, but it is not suitable for long-term or frequent use. It is advisable to read the package insert carefully and consult a doctor if necessary before using emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception is a type of emergency contraception that is effective in preventing pregnancy. However, we should be clear about the scope of its use and precautions, and use it with caution to maintain individual health. Before making a decision, it's important to fully understand how emergency contraception works, who it's suitable for, and what side effects it likes, and talk to your doctor for professional advice if needed.

Short-acting oral contraceptives

Mechanism of action

Are birth control pills harmful to the body? No! You have to tell the difference between emergency contraception and short-acting pills

Short-acting oral contraceptives are a type of medication that contains a progestin that achieves contraceptive effect by suppressing ovulation of the ovaries. They contain estrogen and progesterone that mimic the natural hormone levels in a woman's body, thus preventing the release of eggs. In addition, they can thicken cervical mucus, preventing sperm from entering the uterus, while altering the structure of the endometrium and reducing the likelihood of implantation.

classify

Short-acting oral contraceptives are generally divided into two types: single-hormone oral contraceptives and multi-hormonal oral contraceptives. Single-hormone oral contraceptives contain only one hormone, usually a progestin, while multi-hormonal oral contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestin.

Directions:

Generally, short-acting oral contraceptives are taken at regular intervals throughout the day. For single-hormone oral contraceptives, they should be taken every day at the same time to ensure stable efficacy. For multi-hormonal oral contraceptives, they are generally taken for 21 consecutive days in a monthly cycle, and then stopped for 7 days to allow menstruation to occur.

Difference vs. Security Comparison

pharmachologic effect

Are birth control pills harmful to the body? No! You have to tell the difference between emergency contraception and short-acting pills

There are significant differences in the mechanism of action between emergency contraceptives and short-acting oral contraceptives. Emergency contraceptives are mainly used to prevent ovulation by using high doses of progestogens to prevent or delay ovulation, while short-acting oral contraceptives maintain the body's contraceptive status through low daily doses of hormones.

side effect

Short-acting oral contraceptives have relatively mild side effects, often including breast tenderness, headaches, mood swings, etc., and these side effects usually gradually lessen after a few months of taking the pill. However, long-term use of short-acting oral contraceptives may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease such as blood clots.

Safety Assessment

Although short-acting oral contraceptives have certain side effects, they are safe for most women. For certain groups of people, such as smokers, women over 35 years old, people with high blood pressure, etc., it should be used under the guidance of a doctor and undergo regular health check-ups.

How to choose

When choosing a contraceptive pill, factors such as an individual's health status, age, and lifestyle should be taken into account. If contraception is needed on a regular basis, short-acting oral contraceptives may be a safe and effective option. However, emergency contraceptive pills may be more appropriate for contraceptive needs in emergency situations, but they should not be used routinely.

Are birth control pills harmful to the body? No! You have to tell the difference between emergency contraception and short-acting pills