Watch a short video explaining how to take the Pill here.
There are two main groups of contraceptive pills. The Progestogen Only Pill (POP)- in packs of 28 with one pill to be taken every day at the same time. and The Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill (COCP)containing small amounts of oestrogen and progestogen, (hormones naturally produced in the ovary) usually in packets of 21 or 28.
Although the Pill provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections, it does provide an effective way of preventing pregnancy if it is taken consistently. However it should only be taken by women who are in good health, generally speaking do not smoke, are not overweight, have no liver disease and whose blood pressure is normal/monitored whilst they are using this method.
If a woman is unsure of her partnerīs sexual history, or if she or her partner currently have or have had more than one sexual partner, then it is highly recommended to use a barrier method for additional protection against the risk of spreading sexually transmitted infections / HIV / hepatitis.
There are risks which should be explained before starting the Pill, for example there is a small risk of developing blood clots (VTE, Venous Thrombo Embolism) but put into perspective, these are very small in comparison to the risks of developing a blood clot in pregnancy.
There is some emerging evidence that there can be benefits to taking the Pill. A report published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that in a sample of 207 women with the BRAC1 and BRAC2 genes (who would normally be at high risk of developing ovarian cancer) considerably reduced this risk (60%) by taking the oral contraceptive pill for six years of more.
Taking the Pill is also thought to reduce the risk of developing endometrial (womb lining) cancer.
New Pill - Yasmin
Drospirenone (DRSP)is a new progestogen currently being used for combined oral contraceptive pills. Drospirenone is an analogue of spironolactone, an aldosterone antagonist. It has high binding affinity for the mineralocorticoid receptor and has been shown to have anti-mineralocorticoid activity which influences the regulation of water and electrolyte balance in the body. In addition, like progesterone and spironolactone, DRSP also exhibits antiandrogenic activity.
Drospirenone was developed to provide an alternative for women who sometimes experience adverse effects such as thrombosis, hypertension, weight gain, breast pain and acne. Like progesterone (but unlike other synthetic progestogens), drospirenone promotes the excretion of sodium and water, and therefore may reduce water retention symptoms. In addition, because it is antiandrogenic, it may help prevent users from developing acne. When bleeding irregularities with use of a combined drospirenone and ethinyl oestradiol pill was compared to irregularities while using a desogestrel/ethinyl oestrodiol pill, drospirenone/EE resulted in few irregularities such as breakthrough bleeding.
The US has now also approved Yasmin--a monophasic combined oral contraceptive pill containing 3 mg. of Drospirenone (DRSP) and 30 micrograms of Ethinyl Oestradiol. Yasmin has been available in Europe since November 2000. Since Yasmin contains drospirenone, which may result in serious hyperkalemia in high-risk patients. Thus, women with kidney, liver or adrenal disease should not use drospirenone-containing pills. Women taking NSAID (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug)(like IBUPROFEN), spironolactone diuretics, ACE (Acetyl Choline Esterase) inhibitors, Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists and heparin also should not use pills containing drospirenone.
