Contraceptive pills
Contraceptive pills are hormones that prevent ovulation, as they increase the viscosity of cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to penetrate the semen, and making the lining of the uterus less suitable for implantation of a fertilized egg.
There are two types of pills, and their effectiveness is up to 99% if used correctly:
- Mini/monophasic-hormone pills (contain only the progestin hormone)
- Combination /dual hormone pills (containing the progestin and estrogen hormone).
Tables No. 1 and 2 show some of the advantages and disadvantages of these pills.
Table No. (1) Combination /Dual Hormone Pills
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Disadvantages / Side effects
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Advantages
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- They should not be taken during breastfeeding
- Forgetting to take pills daily
- Serious complications (increased susceptibility to blood clots and clots) which are uncommon
- Common side effects such as headache, nausea, heaviness in the breasts, spotting between menstruation, slight weight gain (2-3 kg per year), and mood changes
- They don’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases
- Cannot be used by women who smoke excessively (15-20 cigarettes per day)
- Not recommended for use by those over 35-40 years old
- It is not recommended for use by women who have heart and valve diseases, high blood pressure, liver disease, current or previous infection with clots, diabetes with complications in blood vessels, and the presence of tumors affected by estrogen hormone.
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They don’t interfere with the sexual process.
You do not need any action before sexual intercourse
- Once you stop using it, your fertility will return to normal.
They have other health benefits:
- They regulate the menstrual cycle
- They reduce the menstrual cycle period, the amount of menstrual blood, and the pain associated with the menstrual cycle.
- They reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and some benign breast tumors, as well as ovarian cysts.
- They reduce the incidence of severe pelvic inflammation and anemia.
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Table 2: Mini/monophasic-hormone pills
| Disadvantages / Side effects |
Advantages |
- The common mistake of using it is forgetting to take the pills at the same time every day.
- You need constant replenishment.
- They usually cause menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea.
- Less common side effects may include gastrointestinal disturbances and bloating, feeling sick, headache, breast tenderness, mood, and psychological changes, and weight gain.
- They don’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases
- They cannot be used by women who have undiagnosed metrorrhagia or newly diagnosed arterial and heart diseases.
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- Nursing mothers can take it without affecting the quantity or quality of milk
- They don’t conflict and don’t need any action when sexual intercourse
- Once you stop using them, your fertility returns to its previous level
- A light menstrual cycle is almost painless and the pain associated with ovulation is relieved
- They have other health benefits:
- They reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and some benign breast tumors
- They are used to treat endometriosis
- They reduce the incidence of severe pelvic inflammatory and anemia
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Hormonal methods/implants
They are special capsules like matchsticks that are implanted under the skin in the inner part of the upper arm that secrete the hormone progesterone slowly. It can be used for a period of 3 to 5 years, depending on the type of implant, and its effectiveness is up to 99.5%.
(The advantages and disadvantages with the side effects are the same as the mono-hormonal pills, except that they do not need to be taken daily)
Hormonal methods - injections / needles
The majority of these injections contain only progesterone (Depo-Provera injections) are injected into the muscle approximately every three months and can be found in the form of a compound that is injected into the muscle once a month. The effectiveness rate is high, up to 99.7%.
(The advantages and disadvantages with the side effects are the same as the mono-hormonal pills, except that they do not need to be taken daily)
