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Oral contraceptives or birth control pills are medicines taken by mouth to help prevent pregnancy. These pills contain artificially made forms of two hormones produced naturally in the body. These hormones estrogen and progestin, regulate a woman's menstrual cycle. When taken in the proper amounts, following a specific schedule, oral contraceptives are very effective in preventing pregnancy. Oral contraceptives prevent pregnancy by keeping an egg from ripening fully. Eggs that do not ripen fully cannot be fertilized. In addition, birth control pills thicken mucus in the woman's body through which the sperm has to swim. This makes it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg. Oral contraceptives also change the uterus lining so that a fertilized egg cannot lodge there to develop. Consult your physician for the latest information on the risks and benefits of all types of birth control pills.
Oral Contraceptives come in different colors, indicating amounts of hormones they contain. Some pills may not contain any hormones. These are included simply to help women stay in the habit of taking a pill every day, as the hormone combination needs to be taken only on certain days of the menstrual cycle.
What precautions do I need to take for Oral contraceptives ?
No form of birth control (except not having sex) is 100% effective. However, oral contraceptives can be highly effective when used properly. Discuss with your health care professional before taking this medicine. Oral contraceptives or birth control pills do not protect against AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. However, use of latex condom can prevent you against such diseases.
Smoking cigarettes while taking oral contraceptives greatly increases the risk of serious side effects. Women who take oral contraceptives should not smoke cigarettes. If you are taking oral contraceptives, make sure to inform your physician before having any surgical or dental procedures, laboratory tests or emergency treatment.
Oral contraceptives may cause the gums to become tender and swollen or to bleed. Careful brushing and flossing, gum massage, and regular cleaning may help prevent this problem. Check with a physician or dentist if gum problems develop.
What are the likely side effects of Oral contraceptives?
In women with certain health problems, however, oral contraceptives may cause problems such as liver cancer, noncancerous liver tumors, blood clots, or stroke. The most common mild side effects of Oral contraceptives are nausea,vomiting,abdominal cramping or bloating,breast pain, tenderness or swelling,swollen ankles or feet,tiredness,and acne.
Check with your physician as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- Menstrual changes, such as lighter periods or missed periods, longer periods, or bleeding or spotting between periods.
- Headaches
- Vaginal infection, itching, or irritation
- Increased blood pressure.
Women who have any of the following symptoms should get emergency help right away. These symptoms may be signs of blood clots:
- Sudden changes in vision, speech, breathing, or coordination
- Severe or sudden headache
- Coughing up blood
- Sudden, severe, or continuing pain in the abdomen or stomach
- Pain in the chest, groin, or leg (especially in the calf)
- Weakness, numbness, or pain in an arm or leg.
Oral contraceptives may continue to affect the menstrual cycle for some time after a woman stops taking them. Women who miss periods for several months after stopping this medicine should consult and check with their physicians.
Other rare side effects may occur. Anyone who has unusual symptoms while taking oral contraceptives are adviced to get in touch with his/her physician.
What are the likely drug interactions of Oral contraceptives?
Oral contraceptives may interact with a number of other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes oral contraceptives should let the physician know all other drugs they are taking including prescription and over the counter medications. These drugs may make oral contraceptives less effective in preventing pregnancy. Anyone who takes the following drugs should use an additional birth control method for the entire cycle in which the medicine is used:
- Ampicillin
- Penicillin V
- Rifampin
- Tetracyclines
- Griseofulvin
- Corticosteroids
- Barbiturates
- Carbamazepine
- Phenytoin
- Primidone
- Ritonavir
In addition to this, the following medicines with oral contraceptives may increase the risk of side effects or interfere with the medicine's effects:
- Theophylline -- effects of this
medicine may increase, along with
the chance of unwanted side effects.
- Cyclosporine -- effects of this
medicine may increase, along with
the chance of unwanted side effects.
- Troleandomycin (TAO) -- chance of
liver problems may increase. Effectiveness
of oral contraceptive may also decrease,
raising the risk of pregnancy.
The list above does not include all the drugs that may interact with oral contraceptives. One has to be sure to check with a physician before combining oral contraceptives with any other prescription or nonprescription medicines.
What are the medications prescribed to prevent pregnancy ?
Some of the medications prescribed to prevent pregnancy include
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