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The strange truth about the pill

Every brand of combined pill on the market contains the same type of synthetic oestrogen, ethinyl estradiol, and one of eight synthetic progesterones, called progestins. Ethinyl estradiol prevents the body from releasing an egg every month, while progestins thicken the mucus at the entrance to the cervix and conspire to make the womb inhospitable. Even if an egg slips out and becomes fertilised, it won’t be able to settle down and start growing.

So far, so good. But though the hormones are effective at preventing pregnancy, they aren’t perfect matches for our natural hormones. The end result is that these synthetic versions also have effects that you would never get from raw progesterone.

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A Comparison of Second and Third Generations Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills’ Effect on Mood

Most women taking combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are satisfied with their contraceptive method. However, one of the most common reasons reported for discontinuation of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) is mood deterioration.

Do You Really Need to Take the Pill at the Same Time Every Day?

Many brands of combined pill have four to seven inactive pills at the end of the pack that are a different color—these are placebos and some women choose not to take them. (You get your period while taking the placebo pills.) However, for certain brands, these last pills contain estrogen-only or iron-only, and you may choose to take them. Talk to your doctor about what she recommends. (All of this info also applies to “extended cycle” pills where you only get your period four times a year.)

How to choose the right contraceptive pill for you

There are more than 30 types of oral contraceptive pills. Different types and brands of contraceptive pill contain different types and doses of synthetic oestrogen and progesterone.

Your Birth Control Could Be Making Your Life Suck, Study Finds

If you've ever suspected you'd feel better if you weren't on the pill, new research is here to back you up. According to a Swedish study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, taking oral contraceptives can have a significant negative impact on a woman’s quality of life.

Resources

CDC

If combined hormonal contraceptives are started within the first 5 days since menstrual bleeding started, no additional contraceptive protection is needed.

Lo/Ovral

LO/OVRAL-28 is a combination oral contraceptive containing the progestational compound norgestrel and the estrogenic compound ethinyl estradiol.