Birth control pills What you need to know every woman

Birth control pills What you need to know every woman

The contraceptive pill was first released in the 1960s, although the history of oral contraceptive tablets starting in 1939, where Butenandt isolated natural sex hormones. In 1950 Gregory Pincus and his colleagues, Rock and Garcia, managed to synthesize the first contraceptive pill-inhibiting ovulation. Considered one of the most important discoveries of the last century, not only for its value as a medicine and for many potential uses, but also for freedom -the rights given to women to decide on their motherhood.

The pill contains synthetic female hormones estrogen and progestin combination and thereby inhibiting endogenous natural hormone production mechanism by negative allilorythmisis mechanism, which results in the inhibition of ovulation and hence contraception.

Over the years developed different ethinylestradiol and progestogens combinations (synthetic progestins, such as pregnanes and gonanes), in order to reduce the dose of ethinylestradiol and using gonanon such as levonorgestrel, desogestrel, gestrodeni and norgestimate, maintaining contraceptive ability to reduce the occurrence of adverse side effects and complications.

side effects

The usual side effects of contraceptives are mood changes, mesokykliki bleeding (spotting) 10% -20%, voltage feeling the breasts, nausea, light retention of not more than 100 ml, depression, appearance of chloasma, headache, amenorrhea after stopping the tablets -which occurs in 1% of women. Less common side effects is the potential for thromboembolic events, 4-6 times more than women who do not receive much more in women with busy personal or family history compared with thrombosis and liver function disorders.

The cancer myth

Although initially there was skepticism on oral contraceptives for the "challenge" of cancer, recent studies have shown that the risk of endometrial cancer is reduced by 50% compared with women who do not get. After five years of use the percentage further decreases to 34%, and the protection can last up to 10 years after stopping the pill. For ovarian cancer, the risk reduction rate reaches 60% compared with women who did not use it. Taking the pill is not associated with cervical cancer, which is due to the 95% -98% of cases to HPV and with regard to breast cancer, it appears that the tablet does not cause the event, but hastens appearance .

The advantages

Contraceptives have many advantages. In addition to their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy (99.7%), the advantages include the reduction of premenstrual tension, the remission of the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, a reduction of blood loss during the period, the less risk of benign breast disease, low incidence of ovarian cysts, lessening the risk of ectopic pregnancy and, as already mentioned, the lower incidence of endometrial and ovarian cancer. In young age and not only is "tools" for adjusting the period and, in combination with antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate, have a place in the treatment of acne and hirsutism.

Before administration

For whatever reason contraceptive delivery, the gold standard for the safety of the patient is to investigate both the personal and family history of women's health. Also must be examined by a gynecologist, cervical cytological examination, breast examination, blood pressure measurement, control piktologikou and liver biochemical profile. Necessary considered if their use is associated with smoking or prolonged use of more than three months, the control for placing thromvofylliki measuring protein S, C, factor V Leiden, MTHFR, homocysteine ​​serum et Under no circumstances should be granted to personal history endometrial malignancy, ovarian, breast, diabetes mellitus type I or II without control, history of thrombosis, thromvofyllias, hypertension, liver disease, biliary, pancreatic.

Yes or not to use?

Modern contraceptive pills are as safe as any other drug if administered by trained gynecologist after a good reception-personal family medical history, examination and transvaginal ultrasound uterus and ovaries. It is undoubtedly a highly efficient means of contraception for women who have a permanent stable relationship without risk of sexually transmitted diseases and there is no specific contraindication to its use. Simultaneously, it is an excellent tool for the treatment of various problems. Therefore it recommends daily use at several women, provided that it is subject to the relevant safety rules.