Birth control pills before intercourse. The latest birth control pills: freedom of choice. Hormonal and non-hormonal, used after intercourse. Which ones are better to use?

According to statistics, every girl has had unprotected sexual intercourse at least once in her life. There can be a huge number of reasons for such a situation - from banal forgetfulness, due to which the girl forgot to take birth control, to improper use of a condom, which broke during the act. It is quite natural that after this, the woman began to fear the onset of an unwanted pregnancy.

Disposable birth control pills

Especially for such delicate situations, modern pharmacology has invented single-dose contraceptive pills. They are sold in almost every pharmacy. These drugs are available over-the-counter.

Disposable contraceptives will help avoid unforeseen consequences such as pregnancy. The effectiveness of this remedy directly depends on how urgently it was taken. However, at the same time, it should be borne in mind that these tablets are not at all safe for the health of the female body. Therefore, gynecologists do not recommend taking disposable contraceptives more often than once every six months.

The permissible period of exposure to such drugs varies. Some pills should be taken no later than the next day during which unprotected sex occurred. There are also disposable birth control pills that you can take within 72 hours after a piquant event.
Components of drugs

Based on the type of active substance, drugs in this group are produced in two types:

Hormonal;
Non-hormonal.

Pharmacy assortment

Modern pharmacology provides a huge selection of such drugs. The most popular disposable birth control pills with the following names:

Escapelle. This is one of the leaders among such emergency means. It was one of the first to appear on the pharmacological market. It should be taken orally. The product begins to act actively just two hours after the woman has taken it. You should drink it within 72 hours after sexual intercourse.
The arsenal of disposable contraceptives for women also includes a drug called Postinor. He is no less popular. Its main component is levonorgestrel. It causes blocking of ovulation and the fertilization process. The effectiveness of this product is 85%. The sooner it is taken, the higher the chances of a positive effect of Postinor.

Disposable contraceptives include Zhenale tablets. They are effective for 72 hours from the moment of unprotected sexual intercourse. Moreover, unlike other similar drugs, the stage of the menstrual cycle is not important. It is recommended to take the product two hours before or after meals.

One-time contraception is the so-called emergency contraception used by a woman after unprotected sex. Such drugs are quite effective if taken on time. However, their side effects are much stronger than those of conventional hormonal birth control. Therefore, it is better to think about contraception in advance.

After unprotected sexual intercourse, there is only one way to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy and abortion. These are emergency contraceptives (also called postcoital).

The pharmaceutical industry has created several brands of such drugs, which have different names. However, the active ingredient is almost always levonorgestrel or mifepristone. These are artificially developed hormonal substances that quickly affect a woman’s endocrine system.

Each tablet contains a very large dosage of hormonal substances. Its goal is to prevent fertilization from occurring, and if this has already happened, to prevent the egg from taking root in the uterus. But the endocrine system, after taking it, reacts not only by preventing pregnancy. There are many side effects, the most common of which is menstrual irregularity.

The World Health Organization generally sees much more harm than good in disposable contraceptives. Even the manufacturer indicates that such contraceptives can be used no more than three times a year and once per cycle. However, some women believe that it is normal to take such pills occasionally. This is a big health risk - emergency products should not replace condoms.

Levonorgestrel

Levonorgestrel is an artificial progestogen hormone and is used in the following contraceptives:

• Postinor;
• Escapelle;
• Eskinor F.

Its action is based on several complex effects:

• Ovulation does not occur, the egg does not leave the ovary, and remains not ready for fertilization. This will ensure high efficiency if ovulation occurs just in the following days after unprotected sex;
• The mucous membrane of the cervix thickens. This effect will only work if you take the first levonorgestrel tablet immediately after unprotected sex. It will be difficult for sperm to continue their journey;
• Peristalsis of the fallopian tubes is weakened. As a result of taking birth control pills, the egg travels very slowly to the uterus after conception. During this time, the last and most important mechanism of action of the tablets manages to develop;
• The most important contraceptive effect of levonorgestrel is the thickening of the uterine tissue. This prevents the woman’s fertilized reproductive cell from gaining a foothold in the mother’s body. As a result, the embryo dies from lack of nutrients. However, if the egg has already implanted itself in the uterus after conception, there will be no effect. The tissues will become denser, but the pregnancy will continue.

The following drugs are based on the laboratory antigestagen substance mifepristone:

• Genale;
• Mifegin;
• Pencrofton;
• Miropriston.

In general, the active ingredient of such tablets works similarly to levonorgestrel:

• Ovulation is blocked;
• The uterine tissue becomes denser.

However, these drugs have another powerful effect. In addition to the fact that the tissue is already too dense to secure the egg, the uterus begins to contract. As a result, the blastocyst leaves the uterine space faster, which reduces the likelihood of pregnancy.

Instructions for use

Birth control pills containing levonorgestrel should be taken as follows:

• The first dosage is taken as soon as possible after sex;
• The second dosage is after 12 hours, at least after 15;
• If a woman vomits after taking it, you need to wait a little for the condition to improve and take another pill. However, if 4 hours have already passed after administration, there is no need to do this - the active ingredients have been absorbed.

How effective birth control pills containing levonorgestrel will be depends on when the first dosage was taken:

• Within 24 hours – almost 100%;
• During the second day - about 80%;
• On the third day after sex, the probability will be no more than half.

Contraceptive drugs containing mifepristone are available in one dosage. This tablet should be taken, like drugs with levonorgestrel, during the first three days after unprotected contact. No food should be consumed 120 minutes before and 120 after taking it - only clean water is allowed.

Yuzpe method

In addition to specialized emergency contraception, you can use the Yuzpe method for similar purposes. Here, large doses of combined oral contraceptives act as rapid contraceptives. As is the case with specific drugs of this kind, the sooner a woman starts taking birth control, the better. The opportunity to prevent unwanted pregnancy also remains for three days.

The number of tablets needed for one dose is determined by the brand of combined oral contraceptives. Many of these drugs contain levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, which are necessary for a quick effect.

The required dosage of ethinyl estradiol is 100 mg, and levonorgestrel is ½ mg. After twelve hours, you need to take the same dosage of the current medications.

As an example, we can mention that when using Microgynon or Regulon, it will be enough to drink 4 tablets at a time. And when using Novinet or Logest, the required dosage will be 5 tablets at a time.

It is not advisable to use levonorgestrel and mifepristone in the following situations:

• Diseases of the liver and pancreas;
• During adolescence;
• Already existing pregnancy - there is a risk of damaging the embryo, but there is no possibility of interrupting it;
• Intestinal diseases;
• Lactation and breastfeeding. You should not allow your baby to breastfeed for 48 hours after taking it;
• Irregular menstrual cycle;
• Bloody discharge for no apparent reason outside of the cycle;
• Benign and malignant gynecological neoplasms;
• History of ectopic development of the embryo;
• Risk of thrombosis.
• Kidney failure and adrenal disease;
• Concurrent use of other hormonal drugs.

Side effects

Any hormonal therapy is a complex effect on the body, affecting all its systems. This becomes especially noticeable if such large dosages of hormonal drugs are used simultaneously.

Emergency contraception should only be used in exceptional cases. Of course, they are better than abortion - but they still have a negative impact. And both in the short and long term.

The following negative side effects may result from this type of contraception:

• Pregnancy outside the uterus. It occurs due to the fact that the passage of the egg through the genital tract is disrupted, and it takes root in an inappropriate area;
• Severe bleeding. Blood can be released for a long time, and it is not always possible to stop it on your own. In such cases, you need to call an ambulance;
• The likelihood of infertility in the future increases. The risk of miscarriage in future pregnancies also increases;
• The most dangerous side effect of any birth control pill is thrombosis. This is a disease that greatly impairs the quality of life. And in some cases it can be fatal;
• The menstrual cycle is disrupted. In women who took emergency contraceptive pills, the cycle does not always return to normal even within 12 months.

Having taken disposable contraceptives for the first time after intercourse, you need to immediately think about how to protect yourself in the future. Remember that before you start taking single-use birth control pills on a regular basis, you need to talk to your gynecologist. He will be the one who will be able to prescribe the appropriate drug for you, determining how much male and female hormones are in your body.

The latest birth control pills: freedom of choice. Hormonal and non-hormonal, used after intercourse. Which ones are better to use?

Thank you

The main priorities of modern medicine are caring for the preservation of women’s reproductive health, protection and ensuring safe motherhood. It is no secret that Russia is one of the first places in terms of the number of abortions. Abortion is a real operation that often leads to infertility, menstrual irregularities, miscarriages, and even maternal mortality. We can draw the following conclusion: measures to prevent abortions can help maintain a woman’s health and give birth to a healthy child.

No wonder they say that children are the flowers of life. But each flower opens only at a time determined by nature. A woman has the right to give birth to a child whenever she wants, at any time in her life, so that the child is desired and happy. This fact is confirmed by law.

For the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and abortion at a certain stage of a woman’s life, plays an important role contraception.

Contraception has been used by women since ancient times. Thus, even in Ancient Africa, intravaginal herbal remedies in the form of a cocoon were used, and in America they used douching with herbal decoctions, lemon juice, and mahogany bark decoction at the end of sexual intercourse.

The number of contraceptives increased over time, but effective methods and reliable drugs appeared only in the 20th century.

New contraceptives appear almost every day. Science does not stand still. They are easy to use, reliable, safe for health, and moreover, they have a therapeutic effect for certain diseases.

Currently, medicine offers various contraception, and a woman can always choose which methods and drugs to use. Our country provides freedom of choice of contraceptives, but a woman cannot always decide for herself what is best for her. In deciding on the choice of a contraceptive, a consultation with the attending physician will help - only a qualified specialist can assess the woman’s health status, determine the indications for prescribing a particular method of contraception, and suggest the best drug for the patient.

Hormonal oral contraceptives

The effectiveness of contraceptive drugs is assessed by experts by counting the number of unplanned pregnancies per 100 women during the year. This indicator is called the Pearl index.

Types and composition of birth control pills

• New birth control pills began to contain small dosages of hormones, while at the same time their effectiveness and reliability were maintained.
• New analogues of female sex hormones have been obtained: ethanyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.
• Third generation progestogens appeared - norgestimate, desogestrel, gestodene.
• The newest contraceptives have been developed - mini-pills that do not contain gestagen.

Combined contraceptives contain two components:
1. Synthetic estrogen ethinyl estradiol, which is the estrogenic component of drugs.
2. Progestational component in the form of various progestogens.

All birth control pills, depending on the dosage of hormones, are divided into the following types:

• monophasic;
• two-phase;
• three-phase.

Biphasic drugs involve changing hormone doses twice per course, three-phase drugs - three times. Typically, such tablets for one course have different colors. Two-phase contraceptives include Anteovin, three-phase contraceptives include Tri-mercy, Triquilar, Tri-regol, Triziston.

“Mini-pill” contraceptives are monophasic and are intended for the period of breastfeeding and lactation. These include: Lactinet, Exluton, Charozetta.

The action of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) is based on blocking ovulation. In this way they protect against unplanned pregnancy. Only progestogen has the ability to block the ovulation process, the dose of which is the same in all combined contraceptive pills. The difference between microdose and low-dose drugs is only in the dosage of estrogen. Estrogens affect a woman's menstrual cycle.

Depending on the dosage of the active ingredients, birth control pills are divided into four types:

Microdosed birth control pills
As a rule, these products contain minimal doses of the hormone ethinyl estradiol. Side effects when using them are minimal. In some cases, they have the ability to eliminate hormonal imbalances: acne (especially in adolescence), painful menstruation. These pills are best suited for young girls under 25 years of age who have not given birth and have regular sex life. They can also be used by mature women over 35 years of age, and by women who have never used hormonal contraception. The most popular are: Tri-Mercy, Jess, Mercilon, Lindinet -20, Klaira, Novinet.

Low-dose birth control pills
The drugs contain the same ethinyl estradiol, but in combination with various hormones: desogestrel, gestodene, norgestimate, dienogest or levonorgestrel. These birth control pills are recommended for young women who have given birth. In addition to the contraceptive effect, these products have a pronounced antiandrogenic effect: they help eliminate unwanted hair growth on the face, prevent the appearance of acne and hair loss due to hormonal imbalance. Popular tablets: Regulon, Belara, Marvelon, Yarina, Janine, Midiana, Femoden.

Medium-dose contraceptive pills
Typically contain two hormones: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Less commonly, they may contain other combinations of hormones. Medium-dose contraceptive pills are intended for women who have given birth, especially those over 30 years of age. They also have an antiandrogenic effect, which is important for women who have not recovered from pregnancy and childbirth. However, when choosing a drug, one condition must be observed - these products are not suitable for nursing mothers. Popular tablets: Diana 35, Demoulen, Tri-Regol, Chloe.

High dose birth control pills
They contain ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, but only in high doses. Such drugs are primarily used to treat and prevent hormonal diseases. Contraceptives of this type can be taken by women over 35 years of age, if drugs with a low dosage of hormones are ineffective. These include: Triquilar, Tri-regol, Ovidon, Milvane, Non-Ovlon.

Newest birth control pills: how to choose?

Choosing a contraceptive is difficult and should be taken seriously.

Ideally, a specialist should select contraceptive drugs, but sometimes a woman decides for herself which pills to take. In these cases, it is necessary to carefully collect information about the product. Where to start?
1. Familiarize yourself with the different types of birth control medications.
2. Compare all the pros and cons.
3. Define your goal - decide what you want to get from using oral contraceptives.

What do you need to know to make the right choice? Let's figure it out.

A woman should find information about drugs and their effect on the body. It should be borne in mind that birth control pills differ in parameters, degree of reliability and side effects.

Combined contraceptives usually contain two analogs of female sex hormones, so they come first in terms of reliability. Combined oral medications are used both to protect against pregnancy and to treat diseases and hormonal disorders. Women who choose hormonal birth control pills are still advised to consult with their doctor and undergo a hormonal test.

New contraceptives are the so-called “mini-pills”. They contain only one hormone - therefore the reliability of the drugs is 90%. Their advantage is the possibility of use during lactation, as well as by women who are intolerant to estrogen (part of COCs).

The next type of birth control pill is represented by emergency contraception. These tablets are not intended for long-term use, but are used immediately after sexual intercourse. The hormone content in them is very high, so these products can only be used once a month.

Currently, contraceptive drugs of the second to fifth generations have appeared on the market. These newer drugs contain a small dose of hormones and have mild side effects. It should be understood that there are no good or bad contraceptives. There are products that are suitable or not suitable for a woman. Therefore, to select contraceptives, the individual characteristics of a particular woman’s body must be taken into account.

When making your own selection, you must first determine the phenotype—the woman’s body type.

The following types of female phenotype are distinguished:
1. With a predominance of estrogens - estrogenic type.
2. With a balance of estrogens and gestagens - a balanced type.
3. With a predominance of gestagens and androgens - gestagenic type.

The phenotype is determined by the following characteristics: general appearance, volume and condition of the mammary glands, skin type, the nature of menstruation, duration of the menstrual cycle, the presence of toxicosis during a previous pregnancy, the woman’s body weight and tendency to be overweight.

A balanced phenotype is characterized by average indicators of these traits. In this case, it is recommended to take Marvelon, Triquilar, Microgynon, Triziston, Mercilon, Tri-Mercy, Regulon.

When the estrogenic phenotype predominates, it is characterized by a very feminine appearance, a very long menstrual cycle, very heavy menstrual and vaginal discharge, and moderate fullness. It is advisable to take drugs such as Anteovin, Minulet, Norinil, Rigevidon, Miniziston.

When the gestagenic phenotype predominates, all the signs are less pronounced: unfeminine appearance, small volume of mammary glands, scanty periods, short duration of the menstrual cycle, oily skin. The following remedies are effective: Bisekurin, Chloe, Non-ovlon, Yarina, Ovidon, Jess, Janine, Klaira, Diane, Midiana, Belara.

No matter how carefully the choice is made, it still happens that the drug is not suitable. The ideal selection method has not yet been invented. Often you have to act by trial and error, but sometimes this is inevitable, because every woman’s body is unique.

It has been proven that the criterion for a successful choice of contraceptive is the absence of menstruation for three months - i.e. adaptation period. Then this drug can be taken for a long time.

Non-hormonal birth control pills

The fact is that the use of non-hormonal birth control pills is not contraindicated for women immediately after childbirth, nursing mothers, and women who cannot take hormones. And another important detail: non-hormonal drugs for preventing pregnancy not only have the ability to destroy sperm, but also contribute to the formation of a protective film on the vaginal mucosa and thickening of mucus in the cervical canal. Moreover, active substances - spermicides - reduce the speed of sperm movement, and the resulting mucus is a barrier to their penetration into the uterus. This is good protection against unwanted pregnancy. Non-hormonal contraceptive pills, which is important in our time, protect women from sexually transmitted infections, as they have both antiseptic and antimicrobial effects.

It follows that non-hormonal contraceptives can be used by many women at different periods of life. The use of tablets is a barrier chemical method of contraception. They are easy to use, do not disrupt hormonal levels, can be used at any reproductive age of a woman, and are a prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Birth control pills Pharmatex

In addition to the contraceptive effect, Pharmatex birth control pills prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and reduce the risk of their consequences: infertility, miscarriage, cervical diseases, tumors caused by HIV infection.

A huge advantage of using Pharmatex is that it in no way affects either hormonal levels or the vaginal microflora.

Pharmatex, like other non-hormonal tablets, affects such types of microorganisms as trichomonas, gonococci, chlamydia, Candida fungi, and herpes virus. Pharmatex acts locally, which does not cause side effects on organs and systems of the whole body.

The use of vaginal tablets is more suitable for women in the postpartum period, during lactation and breastfeeding, after an abortion, and with irregular sex life, when there is no permanent partner.

Mode of application
The manufacturer of the product usually includes instructions for use. Basically, non-hormonal vaginal tablets are inserted into the vagina to a sufficient depth 10 minutes before sexual intercourse. For more convenient administration of tablets and other dosage forms, a special applicator is included in the package of the medicine.

You need to know that before each subsequent sexual intercourse, and in the case of sexual intercourse that occurs later than two hours after the administration of the tablet, a new tablet must be administered. Of course, this is inconvenient to a certain extent, since a woman cannot afford to re-inject the pill after accidental or unexpected sex. She needs to plan the timing of intercourse, which is unnatural.

The effect of the drug is believed to last from 40 minutes to several hours. But you need to remember that the use of vaginal tablets is not combined with water procedures before and after sexual intercourse using intimate hygiene products.

In some women, the drug may cause a burning sensation in the vagina. In this case, you should consult your doctor about continuing or discontinuing Pharmatex. The reliability of Pharmatex is 80-82%.

Contraceptive suppositories and creams

In addition to tablets, manufacturers offer the use of other dosage forms: suppositories, creams, ointments. The active substance in the suppositories is either nonoxynol or benzalkonium chloride.

Pharmatex is also available in various forms: vaginal suppositories, tampons, cream, capsules.

Advantages of using contraceptive suppositories
Contraceptive suppositories are easy to use, easily inserted into the vagina, and have minor side effects. Another advantage of using non-hormonal vaginal suppositories is the effect of additional lubrication. They are especially suitable for partners who have problems with natural lubrication and dryness in the genitals.

Vaginal suppositories protect a woman from sexually transmitted infections and are indispensable for casual sexual intercourse, infrequent sexual intercourse, or in the absence of a permanent partner.
Disadvantages of using contraceptive suppositories
Vaginal contraceptive suppositories can affect the microflora of the vagina, since in addition to the active substance they contain acids. Burning and itching, allergic rashes that occur when using suppositories are indications for their discontinuation.

Dosing
Vaginal suppositories. The suppository is inserted into the vagina 10 minutes before sexual intercourse. The drug is effective for 4 hours.

Vaginal tampon. The tampon is taken out of the package and inserted into the vagina using a finger, right up to the cervix. The protection effect occurs immediately and lasts 24 hours. The tampon does not need to be changed during this period, which is very convenient. The tampon does not change even if there are several sexual intercourses that follow each other during the day. The tampon is removed no earlier than 2 hours after the last sexual intercourse, but no later than 24 hours after its first insertion into the vagina.

Vaginal cream. It is inserted into the vagina using a special syringe. The device should be filled to the mark without the formation of air bubbles. Then slowly insert into the vagina before sexual intercourse. The introduction is made lying down. The effect of the product begins immediately and lasts about 10 hours. Before repeated sexual intercourse, it is necessary to re-administer a portion of the cream.

Popular drugs: Pharmatex, Nonoxynol, Patentex Oval, Contraceptin T.

Birth control pills after intercourse

Sometimes this method is simply called: emergency, fire, emergency contraception, contraception the morning after. But it is still correct to call it emergency, since this method is used in emergency situations.

Emergency contraception aims to prevent pregnancy at the following stages: ovulation, fertilization and consolidation of the fertilized egg in the endometrium (inner layer of the uterine mucosa).

• in emergency situations involving violent acts on the part of a partner, as well as when the integrity of the condom is broken or a woman misses taking a contraceptive pill;
• with rare sexual contacts;
• during unprotected sex, when no contraceptive methods were used.

• thrombosis and thromboembolism (even in history);
• liver diseases with a high degree of failure;
• kidney diseases;
• oncological diseases.

Estrogens for emergency contraception have not been used so often lately, since they contain high doses of hormones, which leads to side effects - nausea and vomiting.

Combined contraceptive pills are used within 72 hours after sexual intercourse, twice, with a break of 12 hours. You can use any drug from this group.

The most well-known drug for emergency contraception in Russia is Postinor. It is recommended to take it twice, one tablet at a time. The first tablet is taken no later than 72 hours after sexual intercourse, the second - 12 hours after the first.

The second emergency contraceptive drug, Escapelle, is taken once within 96 hours after sexual intercourse.

Combined oral contraceptives are taken daily for 21 days. Then a break of 7 days is taken, and the next package of the drug begins. The course begins with an active tablet.

"Mini-pills" are taken without interruption. Immediately after finishing the package, the next one begins.

Break in reception

Menstruation upon admission

If you have been taking contraceptives regularly, without omissions or breaks, but your periods have stopped, then you need to continue taking them.

But if the intake was irregular, you should suspect the onset of pregnancy, immediately stop using the contraceptive and contact a gynecologist to identify it.

Menstruation after cancellation

Bleeding when taken

If heavy bleeding occurs, consult a doctor.

Is it possible to get pregnant while taking birth control pills?

Another situation is when a woman vomits when taking it. Then you need to take the next pill, since the first one is not absorbed. If vomiting occurs repeatedly, it is better to switch to another type of medication. The same steps should be taken for loose stools.

The reliability of contraceptives may decrease when taking other medications - for example, antibiotics, St. John's wort infusions, etc. In this case, the use of an additional method of contraception is recommended.

How long can you take the pills?

According to scientists, fifth-generation contraceptives have already appeared in Russia, which have minor side effects. But the number of questions is not decreasing.

Is it possible to take birth control pills continuously for more than a year?

Pregnancy after stopping birth control pills

Is it possible to stop taking birth control pills?

Which is better: birth control pills or the IUD?

The best birth control pills

Jess

This drug belongs to the fourth generation of contraceptive drugs.

It is recommended to use the drug for a long time. The package contains 28 tablets. Take the tablets daily, preferably at the same time. Start taking Jess on the first day of menstrual bleeding, then drink continuously.

Jess is a novelty in medicine. The popularity of the drug is growing. Jess provides reliable protection, controls the menstrual cycle, is used to treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, acne, and has a beneficial effect on hair and nails. At the same time, the weight of women using Jess remains stable. The period of adaptation to the contraceptive is 1-2 months.

No wonder the drug Jess is called the contraceptive of the twenty-first century.

Novinet

The drug has minimal side effects, does not cause pain during menstruation, and does not affect a woman’s weight gain.

When taking Novinet, nausea, rarely vomiting, partial hair loss, and headaches may occur.

Novinet is taken 1 tablet daily for 21 days. The break is 7 days, on the eighth day a new package is started.

Breastfeeding women can start taking the drug three weeks after giving birth. It should be remembered that Novinet sharply increases the amount

There are a lot of contraceptives. To navigate their choice, it is necessary to consider in detail the types of this assortment.

Main groups of contraceptives:

• hormonal contraceptives;
• spirals;
• candles;
• barrier agents;
• natural methods.

Hormonal drugs are considered the most effective.

Hormonal contraceptives are divided into the following types:

• vaginal ring;
• patch;
• injections;
• pills.

All hormonal preparations contain sex hormones: estrogens and gestagens. These hormones suppress the ovulation process and thicken the natural fluid that the cervix secretes. As a result, it is difficult for sperm to penetrate into the uterine cavity.

In addition, the entry of new sex hormones into the body slows down the production of its own. Because of this, the egg does not mature, which means pregnancy will not occur.

Under no circumstances should you take these medications on your own. Hormonal drugs contain many contraindications. Only after a medical examination will the doctor prescribe this or that remedy.

The Nova Ring vaginal ring is a modern contraceptive for women. It is a transparent elastic ring that is inserted into the vagina.

You should start using the ring from the first day of your menstrual cycle. The contraceptive releases a certain amount of hormones for 3 weeks. After this, the woman must remove the contraceptive without the help of a gynecologist. After 7 days, the ring is reinstalled as intended.

Side effects: migraines, nausea, vaginal discharge. If such manifestations become frequent, you should consult a doctor.

This product looks like a regular patch. It is glued to any area of ​​the skin except the chest. The principle of its action is that the patch actively releases hormones that are absorbed through the skin.

Hormones inhibit the maturation of the egg and increase the viscosity of the fluid that accumulates at the cervix.

The first patch should be applied from the beginning of the menstrual cycle. The effect of one patch is 1 week. Therefore, in one menstrual cycle it is necessary to use 3 patches, and then take a break for 7 days.

The IUD is an intrauterine device that has proven itself to be a highly effective contraceptive. It is not recommended to use this method for girls under 23 years of age. Despite its effectiveness (99%), the IUD can cause complications, including infertility.

The spiral is inserted into the uterus itself. This is done by a gynecologist after a thorough medical examination. The validity period of this device is up to 5 years.

There is a hormonal device (Mirena) and a non-hormonal device - made of plastic and copper. The copper spiral is an effective remedy and has far fewer contraindications. It can be used even during lactation. However, a copper IUD cannot be used in the presence of chronic diseases of the reproductive system and inflammation.

The hormonal uterine device is the most popular among women. This drug releases certain doses of the hormone levonorgesterol into the uterine cavity, which prevents pregnancy.

Benefits of the hormonal IUD:

• reduces discharge during menstruation;
• long-term effect – up to 5 years;
• efficiency 99%.

Disadvantages of the spiral:

• age limit (from 25 years);
• menstruation disorders;
• contraindications for liver and heart diseases.

Contraceptive injections

This method involves injecting a woman intramuscularly with a special substance that stops the ovulation process and also changes the composition of the mucus in the uterus. As a result, it is almost impossible to get pregnant. The duration of the injection is 3 months.

However, not all so simple. This contraceptive can cause bleeding, headaches, and decreased libido. Long-term use of this method can negatively affect the integrity of bone tissue.

So, hormonal contraceptives are quite effective, but they have a number of side effects on the body. How to be? If a woman has health problems and the doctor does not recommend taking hormonal medications, then you can use non-hormonal contraceptives in the form of suppositories.

Birth control suppositories are chemical preparations of spermicide. The candle is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse and, under the influence of body temperature, melts there, creating a protective membrane inside. Thus, sperm are retained by this substance and do not penetrate into the uterus.

The candle is valid for up to 5 hours. This remedy protects not only from pregnancy, but also from the penetration of infections and sexually transmitted viruses. The main disadvantage of suppositories is their regular administration before each sexual intercourse. Long-term use of suppositories is also undesirable, since spermicide can disrupt the internal microflora of the vagina.

After sexual intercourse using a candle, you should not wash with soap, as the alkali will neutralize the chemical substance that makes up the candle. Therefore, it is better to wash with just warm water.

Safe contraceptives

Thus, having studied the listed contraceptive methods, we can conclude that they have side effects because they contain hormones or chemicals. Are there really no other methods that are safer for health? This issue is especially relevant for young girls who have not given birth, who find it difficult to get pregnant after taking contraceptives.

Alternative methods of contraception:

• interrupted sexual intercourse;
• condom;
• calendar method;
• temperature method;
• douching.

Alternative methods are not harmful to health, but their effectiveness is low.

Coitus interruptus- A fairly popular method among married couples. However, its effectiveness is 70-75%. It involves the man removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation. The effectiveness of the method is reduced by the fact that during sexual intercourse a small amount of sperm is still released along with natural lubrication. And not every man can control himself during sex.

Condom– the most reliable remedy not only for unwanted pregnancy, but also for sexually transmitted diseases. This is especially true for those who do not have a permanent partner.

Calendar method- simplest. It involves calculating the ovulation phase according to the calendar. To do this, you need to know the length of a woman’s cycle and the first and mark the first day of menstruation on the calendar. Count 10-11 days from this day - the beginning of ovulation. Ovulation lasts approximately 7-9 days. During this period, you should abstain from sexual relations, since it is at this time that the risk of becoming pregnant is greatest.

Temperature method involves measuring basal temperature in women on different days of the cycle. After ovulation, it rises by 0.2°C, which indicates that it is safe to get pregnant. This method is quite painstaking - it requires daily recording of the temperature.

Douching consists of washing the vagina with various solutions immediately after sexual intercourse. To do this, you can prepare a weak solution of sea salt or a decoction of herbs. But this method is also very questionable - after all, there will always be “active” sperm that will “have time” to penetrate the uterine cavity.

Which birth control pills are best to choose?

Oral contraceptives are divided into two groups:

1. Combined, containing estrogen and gestagen.
2. Mini-pills that contain only one hormone - gestagen.

How to take contraceptives? There is no single regimen for taking oral contraceptives, since each of them contains a different dose of hormones and is prescribed individually.

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Contraindications to taking oral contraceptives:

• diabetes;
• varicose veins;
• hypertension;
• heart diseases;
• migraine;
• metabolic disease;
• excess weight;
• malignant tumors;
• high cholesterol;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• age over 40 years.

Types of birth control pills

One of the most popular contraceptives of our time is Yarina birth control pills. They stabilize the cycle well, do not cause weight gain, and perfectly fulfill their intended purpose - to protect against pregnancy.

But this drug has a side effect: long-term use causes frequent headaches.

If such diseases are present, then these tablets should not be taken. In addition, “Yarina” gives a number of other complications: vegetative-vascular dystonia and headaches.

Birth control pills Jess is a combined drug with antiandrogenic effects. This drug has a good contraceptive effect, treats acne and eliminates premenstrual syndrome.

The package contains 28 tablets, which should be taken 1 per day. In addition, the pack contains a special calendar in which it is convenient to mark the days of taking the pills.

Side effects of the drug:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• bleeding;
• headache.

The drug is contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Contraceptive Regulon has several areas of application:

• protects against unwanted pregnancy;
• treats dysfunction of uterine bleeding;
• stabilizes the cycle;
• treats dimenorrhea;
• eliminates pain during menstruation;
• treats uterine fibroids;
• resolves ovarian cysts.

Thus, Regulon is an excellent cure for female diseases. Unlike previous drugs, Regulon is usually prescribed to women over 40. It helps prevent abortion and its negative consequences.

Birth control Lindinet is a hormonal pill that helps prevent pregnancy and also stabilizes the menstrual cycle. The tablets also prevent the occurrence of ectopic pregnancies and reduce the risk of tumors in the mammary glands. Lindinet perfectly treats acne on the skin.

Contraindications:

• hepatitis;
• pancreatitis;
• otosclerosis;
• smoking;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• thrombosis;
• tumors of the genital organs.

There are post-coital birth control pills that are emergency contraception. This method is an “ambulance” for unprotected sexual intercourse. They are hormonal and should be taken immediately after sex.

The most popular drugs in this series: Miniziston, Femoden, Marvelon. These contraceptives are widely available and are available in pharmacies without prescriptions.

Oral contraceptives are available in monophasic, biphasic and triphasic forms. The doses of hormones in each drug are different. However, the rules for taking pills are, in most cases, the same.

Rules for taking birth control pills:

1. Before you start taking pills, you must consult your doctor.
2. You should take the tablets at the same time every day (preferably at night or with meals).
3. As a rule, 1 pack contains 21 tablets, which should be taken every day from the beginning of the cycle, and then take a break for 1 week.
4. After the end of the break, on the 8th day you should resume taking the pills with a new package, if pregnancy is not planned.
5. If one tablet was missed in weeks 1 and 2, then it should be taken immediately, and then the next one after 12 hours. The next day - according to the usual schedule.
6. If you missed 1-3 tablets in the third week, it is better to stop taking it before your period. And after menstruation - resume the course.

When to stop taking the pills:

1. Onset of pregnancy.
2. Frequent headaches.
3. A sharp increase in body weight.
4. Increased pressure.
5. Visual impairment.
6. Voice change.
7. The occurrence of gynecological diseases.
8. 3 weeks before surgery.

Pregnancy after birth control

Many women are concerned about the question: is it possible to get pregnant after taking birth control pills for a long time?

The answer is simple: you can! Any instructions for contraceptives indicate that pregnancy can occur in the next cycle after discontinuation of the contraceptive.

But is everything so clear?

After all, if a woman took contraceptives for a long time, then all functions of the reproductive system were suppressed. After stopping the pills, the female organs gradually begin to return to their previous function, sometimes even with enhanced effect. It is this fact that gynecologists often use in the treatment of infertility. A woman who cannot get pregnant is prescribed contraceptives for 2-4 months, and then discontinued in order to “stimulate” the reproductive system to work twice as well. In most cases, this method helps. But sometimes you have to undergo 2-3 courses of such therapy.

Menstruation when taking birth control pills is quite scanty. This is explained by the fact that hormonal drugs suppress the biological processes of the female body. However, this case has its advantages. Firstly: menstruation passes very quickly while taking contraceptives and they are practically painless. Secondly, a clear monthly cycle is established - 28 days.

There are times when a woman wants to artificially “delay” her period. For example, when traveling to the sea. In this case, she does not take a week's break from taking the pills, but continues to take them. Then your period does not come. But this cannot be abused! After all, the menstrual cycle may be disrupted or intermenstrual bleeding may appear.

Good contraceptives are those that suit a woman individually. This means that a contraceptive should be selected by a gynecologist, taking into account all the characteristics of the individual’s body. And whether or not to take contraceptives is a personal matter for everyone.

The main thing to remember: Children should be wanted and born on time. After all, there is nothing worse than an unloved and abandoned child.

According to international studies, 19% of Russian women have had an abortion. Almost half of them - repeatedly. At the same time, according to surveys, only 1% of women in the age group 16-49 years old admit that they could have an abortion in the next three years. 54% believe that they would never choose this method. Moreover, there are now emergency contraceptives that can safely prevent unplanned pregnancy when used in the first 72 hours after sexual intercourse. More than half of women surveyed (57%) would rather take the “morning after pill” than have an abortion.

Modern women use all reproductive planning measures. At the same time, many couples (17%) still resort to outdated methods of birth control - the calendar method and coitus interruptus - which lead to pregnancy in 25 and 27% of cases, respectively.

True, even if various methods of contraception are used, no one is immune from failure. For example, 35% of women found themselves in a situation where a condom broke or slipped off. But even in emergency situations, it is not necessary to think about abortion as the only method of solving the problem.

The need for emergency contraception

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) are intended to prevent pregnancy after unprotected or insufficiently protected sexual intercourse. That's why they are sometimes called "morning after pills."

Especially for emergency contraception, the following are used:

• Levonorgestrel. Dose 1.5 mg or 0.75 mg (in this case, take twice with an interval of 12 hours).
• Ulipristal acetate. Dose 30 mg.
• Mifepristone. Dose 10-25 mg.

The tablets should be taken within 5 days after sexual intercourse. Taking levonorgestrel reduces the possibility of pregnancy by 60-90% (in the case of one unprotected sexual intercourse). Ulipristal and mifepristone are more effective than levonorgestrel.

To take ECP you do not need to undergo an examination or undergo laboratory tests.

Emergency contraceptive pills are indicated for use when:

• no other contraceptive was used;
• the contraceptive was used incorrectly;
• the contraceptive was used correctly, but it immediately became clear that it did not provide the desired effect.

Here are the most common situations in which ECPs may be needed for a woman using standard contraceptive methods.

Oral contraceptives, contraceptive patch, vaginal ring

• We started using this method at a later stage than required by the instructions.
• During the menstrual cycle, this method was not used correctly.
• We took medications that could reduce the effectiveness of the method.

Progestin-only injections

• I started using this method at a later stage of the menstrual cycle than the instructions require.
• The contraceptive protection provided by the injection expired before sexual intercourse.

Implants

• The contraceptive protection provided by the implant expired before sexual intercourse.

Intrauterine device or system

• The product was involuntarily removed.
• You don't feel the antennae.
• The contraceptive protection expired before sexual intercourse.

Condoms

• The condom has broken, slipped, or been used incorrectly.

Diaphragm or cap

• The product was dislodged or removed before or during sexual intercourse.
• The product was dislodged or removed after sexual intercourse earlier than required by the instructions.

Spermicide

• The spermicidal agent was not administered before sexual intercourse, as required by the instructions.
• The spermicidal tablet or film did not have time to dissolve before sexual intercourse began.

Contraceptive methods based on self-determination of the fertile period

• Were in the fertile period at the time of sexual intercourse.
• Unsure whether you were in your fertile period at the time of intercourse.

Coitus interruptus

• Ejaculation occurred in the vagina or external genitalia.

Contraindications and effects of ECPs on the body

Women who plan to use ECPs are concerned about a number of issues. Let's look at them in order.

1. Are there any contraindications?

The tablets are not dangerous under any known circumstances: even if there are health problems. ECPs are not prescribed to women who are already pregnant - they are no longer effective. However, if it is not clear whether there is a pregnancy or not, ECPs may be used as there are no examples of harm to the developing fetus.

But there are side effects - irregular vaginal bleeding, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, breast tenderness, dizziness and fatigue.

2. Effect on pregnancy

Studies of women who became pregnant while taking levonorgestrel or used it accidentally after pregnancy show that this hormonal drug does not harm either the pregnant woman or her fetus. In particular, it does not increase the likelihood of low birth weight or birth defects fetal development or complications during pregnancy. There have been only a few reports of pregnancy occurring after taking ulipristal, but no complications have been observed.

3. Use by teenagers

Clinical or programmatic considerations should not limit adolescent access to ECPs; they are safe regardless of age. Teenagers are able to understand instructions for using this method of contraception.

4. Use during lactation

If less than six months have passed since the birth, and the woman is only breastfeeding, if there has not yet been menstruation during the postpartum period, then ovulation is unlikely to occur. Then fuel and energy complexes are not needed. However, women who do not meet all three criteria may become pregnant. The use of levonorgestrel during lactation is not contraindicated.

5. Use before sexual intercourse

There is no data on how long the contraceptive effect of ECPs lasts after taking the pill. Supposedly, ECPs taken immediately before sexual intercourse are as effective as ECPs taken immediately afterward. However, if a woman has the opportunity to plan to use a method of contraception before sexual intercourse, then a method other than ECPs, such as condoms or another barrier method of contraception, is recommended.

6. Use after several unprotected sexual intercourses

Women should try to take ECPs as soon as possible after each unprotected sexual intercourse; It is not recommended to delay taking it until after the last sexual intercourse. However, a woman should not abstain from taking the drug simply because she has had several unprotected sexual acts. However, she should be aware that the effectiveness of ECP may be limited if the earliest unprotected sexual intercourse occurred more than 4-5 days ago. She should limit herself to one dose of ECP at a time, regardless of the number of previous unprotected sexual acts.

7. Repeated use of tablets

ECPs are not intended for intentional reuse or use as a regular, systematic method of contraception. Women who do not want to become pregnant in the future are advised to start or continue using contraception on a consistent, long-term basis after taking ECPs. There are no specific data on the effectiveness or safety of frequent use of current ECPs. However, at least 10 studies have confirmed that taking multiple doses of 0.75 mg levonorgestrel per cycle does not cause serious negative side effects. It is unknown whether the effectiveness of levonorgestrel is reduced by recent or subsequent use of ulipristal, which is a progesterone receptor modulator. Therefore, if a woman who has recently taken levonorgestrel needs emergency contraception again, it is better for her to use the same drug.

8. Use of ECPs during the infertile period

Studies have shown that fertilization as a result of sexual intercourse can only occur in the interval of 5-7 days before, after or during. Theoretically, ECPs might not be needed if unprotected intercourse occurs at other times in the cycle, since the likelihood of pregnancy even without ECPs would be zero. However, in practice it is often impossible to determine whether sexual intercourse occurred on a fertile or infertile day of the cycle. Therefore, women should not refrain from using ECPs because of the assumption that a particular sexual act occurred during a nonfertile period.

9. Interaction with other drugs

There are no specific data regarding the interaction of ECPs with other drugs. However, the effectiveness of levonorgestrel may be reduced due to the use of medications that may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

Women who are using bosentan and medications to treat stomach acid or stomach ulcers (such as omeprazole) or have taken them in the past month should consider having a copper-containing IUD inserted. If they choose levonorgestrel ECP, they should take a double dose. It is better not to use Ulipristal in these cases. Since it is a progesterone receptor modulator, it could theoretically reduce the effectiveness of other hormonal contraceptives containing progestin hormones.

Contraception after taking ECPs

Transition to (resumption of use) regularly taken contraceptives after ECP use

ECPs do not provide contraception for subsequent sexual intercourse. Therefore, a woman should choose another method of contraception before resuming sexual activity. When should you do this?

Condoms or other barrier methods of contraception

Start using immediately before your next sexual intercourse.

Hormonal methods: oral contraceptives, contraceptive patch, vaginal ring, injections, implants, levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine hormonal system.

Start using immediately - that is, on the day you take ECP or the next day. Use the barrier method for 7 days after taking levonorgestrel or for 14 days after taking ulipristal.

Alternatively: start using after your next menstrual period, but use a barrier method in between.

By the way, before introducing implants or a hormonal intrauterine system, it makes sense to conduct a pregnancy test: this way you will rule out the presence of an existing pregnancy.

If a woman requests to have a copper-containing IUD installed, and more than 5 days have passed since the use of ECPs, then this will be done after the next menstruation begins.

Sterilization

This procedure should be undertaken after the onset of menstruation following the use of ECPs. Until the final completion of sterilization, the barrier method should be used.