How long women can stay on contraceptive pills?

With effective and safe birth control alternatives, today well-planned parenthood has become a lot easier. Out of all available options, birth control pills remain the most preferred option worldwide. Accidents do happen and you find yourself in the need for an emergency contraception. This is where morning-after pill comes to rescue.

The simple science behind working of these pills involves two hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone which hinders with the normal ovulation process. This prevents fertilisation and release of the egg from the ovaries.

It is the flexibility of usage of these pills that makes it so popular among women. Its usage can be continued or discontinued based on individual demand. Moreover, no medical opinion is required to do so. Apart from its popularity, there are lots of doubts and apprehension lingering in the mind of most women. Some of the most common concerns are regarding continuance and discontinuance of the birth control pills. Let’s bust some of the myths and discuss facts.

1. Once in a while you should take a break from the contraceptive pills. There is no need for a woman to take a break from taking these pills unless and until she wants to be pregnant. However taking a break can increase her chance to get conceived. Apart from conception, these pills have other health benefits also. Endometriosis can also be treated with birth control pills. Oral contraceptives have been found to reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.
2. Fertility is affected by long term pill use. There is no connection between fertility and the usage of oral pills. Most women may face a delay in conceiving after discontinuing the pills and thereby confusing pill usage as the cause of it.
3. Pill makes you gain weight. It is one of the common myths. The progestin hormone present in pill increases appetite, which can result in weight gain. Women feel bloated due to oestrogen, which goes away with time.
4. Pill causes cancer. On the contrary, some doctors advise that all women should take pill for at least 5 years for ovarian cancer protection. The chances of developing ovarian cysts greatly reduce as these pills prevent ovulation.
5. It is risky to take the pill after 40. These pills can be taken until menopause. Unless and until you are suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes taking birth control pill is not related to your age.
6. Pill protects against STDs. Birth control pills offer no protection against STDs. It is always best to use condom to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Dental dams can be used for oral sex.
7. All pills are the same. In the market different brands of contraceptive pills are available. They are categorised under two types, one is Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills, which is combination of oestrogen and progestin. The other is Progestin-Only Pills (POP) or mini-pills that contain progestin but not oestrogen.

Emergency contraceptive pills

These pills can be taken only when you feel your contraception has failed or you had unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptive pills available on the market today work for up to 3-5 days after sex. Levonelle 1500 is one such pill which is effective for about 72 hours. ellaOne is another emergency contraceptive pill that is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Different forms of contraceptives

Birth control, also known as contraception, refers to prevention of unwanted pregnancy. It is an integral part of family planning for married couples and a proactive safety measure for unmarried women. Contraception usually becomes an important consideration for a woman following her involvement in an unprotected sexual intercourse because of a contraceptive failure, as in the case of a torn condom, or other reasons.

The existing birth control methods vary from hormonal contraception to the use of physical barriers such as condom or intrauterine device (IUD). Among these methods, hormonal birth control tablets have earned the trust of millions of women worldwide for their safety and reliability. More than 25 hormonal contraceptive pills are now available in the UK market, helping many women make the right choice at the right time.

Regular and emergency contraceptive pills

Hormonal birth control medicines are available in two forms: regular contraceptive pills and emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills). Regular pills are usually a combined formulation containing synthetic versions of oestrogen and progesterone, two sex hormones that your body produces naturally. However, certain contraceptive pills contain only a single hormone and yet are indicated to be taken on a regular basis for prevention of pregnancy. Cerazette (desogestrel) is a popular medicine belonging to this category.

Emergency contraception, as the term suggests, is indicated to be used only when the need for contraception is urgent. It may so happen that you forget to take your regular contraceptive dose for a couple of days, or you have sex in the weekend when your neighbourhood pharmacies are closed. Under such circumstances, emergency contraceptives (EC) pills are probably your last resort to avoid getting pregnant. These pills are also called 'mini pills' because of their small hormonal content. The most popular pills in this category include ellaOne 30mg and Levonelle 1500.

How to make the right contraceptive choice

Every woman is different, so what may suit one woman may not suit another. Consider the following pros and cons of both types of contraception before making a choice.

Advantages

Regular birth control pills such as Microgynon, Cilest, Yasmin and Cerazette are almost 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Most of the regular contraceptives are meant to be used for long term and can be helpful for women who have just had a miscarriage or an abortion. Certain regular pills can also give you relief from mood disorders which many women complain about while using contraceptive methods.

Some women suffer from adverse drug reactions to oestrogen. Progesterone-only emergency pills can be very helpful for them. Another benefit of emergency contraceptives is that they work instantly to prevent ovulation. But it is advisable that you consult a doctor to find out which method of contraception caters best to your contraceptive need.

Disadvantages

Despite outstanding efficacy and safety, dual-hormone pills can cause certain adverse side effects, including breast tenderness, nausea, headache, and weight gain. A mini pill, on the other hand, can create irregular bleeding pattern soon after you start taking it. Most hormonal contraception methods are not recommended for women who are already pregnant or nursing.

Whichever form of contraception you choose, make sure it's a prescription drug. It can save you from lots of unnecessary hassles and anxieties.

What is emergency contraception?

Many times couples face the problem of contraceptive failure. A majority of the cases of contraceptive failure develop because of torn condoms. Couples, during such times, get tensed and upset about the fact that the woman might become pregnant but they overlook the fact that in spite of contraceptive failure, they can prevent pregnancy. Yes, pregnancy can be prevented even after unprotected sexual intercourse. Let us know how this can be done.

Emergency contraception

Known as emergency contraception pills and birth control methods can be used after unprotected vaginal intercourse to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Emergency contraceptive pills are handy, convenient and safe if used as prescribed. Let us have a look at the two most important brands of emergency contraceptives.

ellaOne

This emergency contraceptive pill contains 30 mg of ulipristal acetate and works by  delaying ovulation. It can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. Efficacy studies show that more than 98% of women who took it after unprotected sexual intercourse did not get pregnant. But, for this drug to be the most effective, you need to take it as soon as possible. Its effectiveness falls as each day passes by. This pill has been specially developed for women who want to avoid pregnancy in the “risky” period. Although, ellaOne is a little more expensive than other medications, it is one of the best emergency contraceptions available on the market. It comes in various doses and generally a dose of ellaOne 30mg is prescribed. This pill helps in avoiding unwanted pregnancy but you should be careful while using it. Always consult a doctor before using it.

Levonelle

Also known as the morning after pill, Levonelle contains a synthetic derivative of progesterone, known as levonorgestrel. You can take it up to 3 days after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. It has been around in the market much longer than other pills and has gained trust and reputation. Another name for this drug is Levonelle 1500. It is 85% successful in reducing the chances of getting pregnant after unprotected sexual intercourse. Although you can take it up to 3 days after unprotected sexual intercourse, it is better to take it within 24 hours. It is suitable only for women who are above 16 years of age.

Both ellaOne and Levonelle are approved by the FDA and used by millions of women all over the world to treat unwanted pregnancies. For people who do not find traditional contraceptives convenient, these pills are a blessing.

These pills work by thickening the cervical mucus and making it difficult for sperm to reach the ovaries. You should always consult a doctor before taking any type of contraceptive medication. Never buy cheap over-the-counter medications that make tall claims. It is better to ask an experienced doctor rather than make a big mistake, which may cost you dearly. Contraceptive failure can be dealt with ease if you use emergency contraception.

Essentials About Contraceptive Pills

We all know what emergency contraceptive pills are. But do these pills live up to the expectations? How do they work to prevent unwanted pregnancy? These are some of the key questions you may want to ask and feel reassured before you go ahead and buy the right pill for you. Once you finish reading this article, you will have enough credible information to feel confident about using emergency contraceptives.

What is emergency contraception? When do I need it? 

Put simply, emergency contraception is a pregnancy prevention method in emergency. It may so happen that you forgot to take your regular birth control pill the last time you had sex. Or worst, the condom got torn in the middle of sex and your partner ejaculated inside you. These are the times when you might need to pop up emergency birth control pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Are there any other emergency contraception methods?
 

An intrauterine device (IUD) can be used as an alternative to EC pills. You can use an IUD up to 5 days from unprotected sex. The effectiveness of this contraception method is same as that of EC pills.

What can I use to feel safe about preventing pregnancy?
 

If you want to go by the success rate of different emergency contraception methods, pills are still the safest bet. It is estimated that women using ulipristal acetate (which is sold under the trade name ellaOne) or levonorgestrel (Levonelle One Step) have reported satisfactory results as far as pregnancy prevention is concerned. The effectiveness of ellaOne is a whopping 98%, which means that 98 out of 100 women taking this pill within 120 hours from unprotected sexual intercourse can prevent unwanted pregnancy. The numbers also speak in favour of Levonelle. This pill can successfully prevent pregnancy in 85 out of 100 women taking it within 72 hours from unprotected sexual intercourse.

Do I need to use any barrier method with emergency contraception?
 

After taking hormonal contraceptives such as ellaOne or Levonelle, you should always use barrier methods for any subsequent sexual activities till the start of the next menstrual cycle.

Can EC pills affect my menstrual cycle?
 

Yes. If your next menstrual cycle gets delayed by more than a week, or if you experience unusual bleeding or any other physical discomfort, talk to your healthcare provider and get a pregnancy test done.

Can I buy ellaOne or Levonelle online?
 

Yes. Both the pills are available online. To buy ellaOne online, you need to visit a website that sells these types of drugs. Then you can place your order following online consultation with a doctor. You may be asked to provide details of your current health conditions, if any. Then you will be prescribed ellaOne with dosing and other necessary safety information. You need to follow the same process while buying Levonelle. The best part about buying drugs online is that it is 100% confidential. But to ensure confidentiality, you must choose a registered online clinic in the UK.

Emergency Contraceptive Pills Available Online

Should there be any mishap in your regular contraception, you may become pregnant. To avoid an unwanted pregnancy you can try emergency contraceptive pills. The good news is that you do not have to sneakily go to your neighbourhood clinic to buy EC pills such as ellaOne or Levonelle. Now you can buy emergency birth control pills online from the convenience of your home.

Tips for buying ellaOne online

ellaOne (ulipristal acetate) is one of the leading emergency birth control pills available on the UK market today. Its popularity owes a lot to its effectiveness in preventing unwanted pregnancies after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. To buy ellaOne from the comfort of your home you need to find an online clinic with valid registration and street address. There you can place your order following medical consultation with an online doctor who will decide if you are eligible to take ellaOne.

Make sure you order the emergency contraceptive pill from a genuine online drug source. Using counterfeit drugs for contraception can be disastrous for you. Do not get fooled by tall claims made by many fake websites. 

Levonelle online 

Levonelle is not too far behind ellaOne as far as popularity is concerned. It enjoys a decent success rate of 85% and unlike ellaOne, it needs to be taken within 72 hours from unprotected sexual intercourse. It is a rather conventional birth control pill which young women like to take in emergency. Even though it is not clearly understood how this drug works to prevent pregnancy, its sell has been phenomenal in the UK and elsewhere in the world. It will be a smart choice if you buy the One Step EC pill online. Follow the same guideline while buying Levonelle online.

Emergency Contraception – Choices and Precautions

Emergency contraception is a birth control method for the prevention of pregnancy after unprotected sex or failure of regular contraception. Millions of women in the UK depend on emergency contraceptive pills, also known as the morning-after pills, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. These pills can help you in two scenarios:

1. Contraceptive failure (condom got torn or you forgot to take your regular contraceptive pill)
2. Unprotected sex (sex without condom or any other barrier method)

What are the options available to me?
 
As far as emergency contraceptives are concerned, you can choose either progestin-only pills or combined pills comprising oestrogen and progestin. Both methods of contraception are known as hormonal contraception. But you should always talk to your doctor before using any emergency birth control pills.

Familiar choice – ellaOne
 
In case you are looking for a contraceptive pill which you can trust as your second line of defense, it is always advisable to go for the one which many women have already chosen. ellaOne is one of the safest emergency contraceptive pills available in the UK now. It has an impressive success rate. It is estimated that 98 out of 100 women do succeed in avoiding pregnancies with ellaOne. But it must be taken within 120 hours from unprotected sex.

ellaOne is a progestin-only pill, containing ulipristal acetate as the active ingredient. The active ingredient of ellaOne is a synthetic version of a female sex hormone called progesterone. It stops the ovaries from releasing eggs and in doing so, prevents pregnancy. The pill is available in the strength of 30mg.

Levonelle – Be 'One Step' ahead with the 'morning after pill'
 
Another popular choice in the UK, Levonelle One Step is also called the 'morning after pill' because of its dosing schedule. You need to take the pill within 72 hours from unprotected intercourse. But in order to minimise the risk of pregnancy, you should take it immediately after sex. Studies show that Levonelle has been 95% effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies when taken within 24 hours from sex. This contraceptive drug has levonorgestral as its active ingredient. It works by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs and also by altering the natural lining of the wombs. The medicine is available in the strength of 1500mcg.

Precautions
 
Emergency birth control pills neither protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), nor do they terminate pregnancies. So it is always advisable to use condoms as the primary line of defence. Similarly, if you are already pregnant, emergency contraceptives won't help you in terminating the pregnancy.

You should not breastfeed immediately after taking ellaOne. Wait for at least 36 hours before you breastfeed again. While taking Levonelle, watch out for allergic reactions with levonorgestral. You should not take the morning after pill if you have liver problems. Tell your doctor in case you are taking any other medications for conditions such as epilepsy or any bacterial infections. If your next period gets delayed by more than a week, get a pregnancy test done.