Selection of birth control pills

It is worth remembering that birth control pills, first of all, affect the hormonal background and, if used incorrectly, can cause significant and sometimes irreparable damage. Hormonal contraceptives should be selected only by a gynecologist.

How do birth control pills work?

Birth control pills affect a woman's hormonal background and fertility. The main task of such drugs is to prevent the release of an egg from the ovaries (preventing ovulation). In addition, birth control pills stimulate the thickening of mucus to prevent the penetration of sperm into the uterus and affect the state of the endometrium to avoid implantation of the egg.

The correct selection of birth control pills helps to correct hormonal imbalance, stabilize the cycle, improve emotional state and skin condition. At the same time, incorrectly selected pills (on the advice of a friend, mother, colleague, from advertising) can provoke a hormonal failure, which is manifested by the appearance of excess weight, menstrual cycle disorders and serious diseases in the future.

Types of female contraceptives

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are a type of hormonal contraceptives for preventing unwanted pregnancy, containing two types of hormones: estrogens and progestins. Available in the form of tablets.

Progestogen-only oral contraceptives (OCCs) are made exclusively on the basis of progestin. They are also produced in the form of tablets, injections and vaginal rings, in addition, there are subcutaneous implants and an intrauterine spiral (Mirena). The advantage of this type of contraceptive is the possibility of women taking it during breastfeeding (lactation).

How to choose birth control pills?

First of all, remember that just because birth control pills worked for your friend or colleague, it doesn't mean they will work for you. Even a gynecologist cannot "by eye" choose the necessary drug.

Before prescribing oral contraceptives, a gynecologist performs a visual examination: assesses the condition of the skin, mammary glands, the presence of varicose veins of the lower extremities, measures blood pressure and body weight. In addition, some laboratory tests are necessary for the correct selection of birth control pills:

• blood sugar level;
• level of liver enzymes;
• hormone level;
• coagulogram (blood coagulation analysis).

Also recommended:

• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• Ultrasound of mammary glands;
• Ultrasound of abdominal organs;
• examination by a gynecologist and a standard set of smears.

Rules for taking birth control pills

Oral contraceptives are used constantly in accordance with the scheme chosen by the doctor. If you have missed taking birth control pills, an injection, or you suddenly feel worse, you should stop taking the contraceptive and contact your doctor immediately. Injections, vaginal rings and plasters belong to long-acting means, that is, they do not require daily use.

The patch is applied on the first day of the new cycle and is renewed every week, except for the week before menstruation (in total, 3 patches are used per month). It is better to fix the patch on the lower abdomen or on the shoulder. The vaginal ring is inserted for three weeks (the effect lasts a month). On the first day of the week before menstruation, the ring must be removed, a new one can be inserted after the end of the critical days. The frequency of injections depends on the drug.

Contraindications for hormonal contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives have a very wide list of contraindications. The absolute contraindications in which birth control pills should never be used include:

• thrombosis of deep veins of limbs;
• history of pulmonary embolism;
• ischemia and stroke;
• hypertension;
• oncology;
• most cardiovascular diseases;
• smoking;
• diabetes;
• arterial hypertension;
• liver pathologies (cirrhosis, hepatitis, oncology);
• migraine with focal neurological symptoms.

Relative contraindications (impossibility of reception at this particular moment or the need for individual correction of the scheme) include:

• hyperlipidemia;
• gallstone disease in the period of exacerbation;
• cholestasis (disturbance of bile outflow) caused by pregnancy or COC administration;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• systemic scleroderma;
• taking antiepileptic drugs;
• taking drugs that increase the activity of liver enzymes;
• postpartum period without lactation up to 3 weeks.

In what cases should you immediately stop taking birth control pills?

If you have the following symptoms after starting oral contraceptives:

• headaches and dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting, flatulence;
• biliary tract dysfunction;
• chest pain;
• increase or decrease in blood pressure;
• changes in the menstrual cycle and the nature of bleeding, their complete absence;
• the appearance of bloody discharge outside of menstruation;
• increase in body weight;
• cramps in the legs;
• sudden changes in mood, causeless irritability;
• uterine bleeding.

In such cases, it is necessary to immediately stop taking the drug and consult a doctor!

Where can you pick up birth control pills in Lviv?

As you already understood, in order to choose the right birth control pills, it is not enough just to come to the pharmacy, you need a qualified consultation of a gynecologist. The selection of oral contraceptives, like any other hormonal drugs, is exclusively individual. The doctors of the "LeoDerm" clinic in Lviv offer their services in the selection of hormonal contraceptives. We will help you choose the right drug and adjust the regimen for you. We guarantee professionalism and anonymity. Take care of yourself and your health, come!