Contraceptives Birth Control

Over the last three decades, contraception has become commonplace. Ease of access to many forms of birth control has allowed women to have their reproductive destinies in their own hands, to pursue higher education and professional careers, and to be able to reliably delay pregnancy until the time is right.All oral contraceptives act on the hormonal system. Many different forms of the “pill” exist, but they all work on the same principle. The pills are made up of synthetic hormones – estrogen and progestin. These synthetic hormones work together to prevent ovulation, resulting in no egg being released by the ovaries. With no egg released, pregnancy cannot occur. Pills containing estrogen and progestin also have a side-effect: a thickening of the mucous on the cervix, which hampers the attempts of sperm to enter the uterus.Deciding when to stop taking oral contraceptives when planning for pregnancy is straightforward for most women. There are certain factors, however, that should be taken into consideration in some situations. A history of irregular menstrual cycles, duration of use of the pill, and dramatic changes in weight since first taking the pill can affect your decision.Decreased FertilityThe use of oral contraceptives does not cause infertility once they are stopped. There is, however, a period of decreased fertility following their use. A recent study, published in the International Journal of Fertility, measured a 30% reduction in the chance of conceiving during the first month after stopping the pills. This change in the level of fertility had disappeared completely within three months.The results of several other high-profile studies suggest that for women taking the most commonly prescribed dosage of any of the forms on oral contraceptive, compared to women using other forms of birth control, there was an average delay in conceiving of approximately one month. The studies also revealed that in the first cycle after stopping the pill the chances of conceiving were 24%, compared to 35% for women using other forms of birth control. That represents a reduction in conception rates of about one-third for women in the first month after stopping oral contraceptives.This one-third lower chance of conceiving per cycle was shown to continue for as long as one year. While this represents only a one-month delay in conceiving compared to women who have not been on the pill, in the minority of women there can be extended delays. For these few women, the period of decreased fertility can persist for at least one year.To maximise your chances of a successful conception on your first attempt, oral contraceptives should be discontinued for three months prior to your attempts to become pregnant. This also ensures that no residue from the pills remain in your system at the time of conception. Conceiving while pill residues remain in your body causes a slight increase in the risk of birth defects. A three month period off the pill is sufficient to clear all traces of oral contraceptives from your body. During this three month period, a barrier form of contraception should be used to ensure that pregnancy does not occur earlier than planned.

Nah – You ain’t getting to MY egg boy! I am on MircetteOkay, sperm has a specific job to do but so does Mircette – like other oral contraceptives, it is taken by women as a means of preventing pregnancy. A combination of synthetic female hormones, (active ingeredients, ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel) stops the egg from being released from your ovary (I’m sure you know this ‘releasing of an egg each month is called ‘ovulation’). A sperm cannot ‘do its job’ i.e. fertilize an egg if it can’t find one. If you take this particular medication it will cause certain changes within your body, namely, it that will affect the consistency of the mucous in your cervix by making it thicker and it will also affect the lining of your womb. Both of these ‘jobs’ done by this pill work in tandem to stop you from getting pregnant- and frustrate the hell out of all those little ‘swimmers’.The furiously swimming sperm have to swim through your cervical mucous in their efforts to reach your egg so they can ‘get lucky’ and fertilize it. Here is where Mircette foils them- by making the mucous thicker than normal which really slows down those little swimmers, making it a Herculean task for any of them to even meet an egg in the unlikely event of one escaping from the ovary.Should one little ‘hero’ sperm be congratulating himself on surviving the cervical ‘mire’ and making its way up to the egg, boy, is he in for a shock! Defeat awaits the successful little zygote ( fertilised egg) because this powerful little pill then stops it from attaching to the wall of the uterus, hence no pregnancy this month guys.Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel – what can you tell me about these drugs?Well, as for ALL oral contraceptives, Mircette included, there are certain situations where they should not be used , check the guide below:
if you have recently had a baby or are currently pregnant

you should not take these drugs if you have a history of stroke or blood clotting or problems with high blood pressure

you should not take these drugs if you suffer any type of liver or kidney disease, circulation problems or have any heart valve disorders

if you suffer from constant headaches, hormone related cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding or have a history of jaundice, you should not take these drugs unless specifically prescribed to do so by your doctor
When you first start using MircetteIt’s no big deal, ladies, TO BE SURE you are managing your birth control effectively, yes? SO..just at the beginning of a new medication trial, use extra birth control protection for a while, such as a spermicide and a condom- your medical practitioner or clinic will advise which is best for you.WarningsTaking any medication can carry risks, this one is no exception but there are a couple of risks that should be well noted and understood including:1. Oral contraceptives can increase your risk of heart disease/stroke and clotting (especially if you are 35 years of age or older)2. Even vitamins and minerals and other ‘over the counter’ self administered drugs can alter the effectiveness of birth control pills so please don’t forget to tell your doctor the names of ALL other pills /liquids etc. you are using.It would be impossible to put a warning on every medication covering every combination with all other drugs so do not construe that a lack of warning on any drug indicates that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for anyone. Double check.Prior to taking an oral contraceptive, tell your doctor if:
you ARE pregnant now or you have missed your last two periods and there is a chance you may pregnant, as oral contraceptives have been linked to birth defects

you are breastfeeding a new baby- medications pass through breast milk and can adversely affect a baby. You may find that your doctor will allow you to resume taking a hormonal birth control pill after a certain period of time

you have any of the following conditions: heart disease eg. angina, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, epilepsy, or gallbladder problems. It is possible that your doctor will prescribe an adjusted dosage for you and monitor you with regular tests during treatment so that you can continue to use Mircette as your preferred method of birth control.
What is the best way to take Mircette?Use according to your doctor’s prescription and do not take in higher doses. The pack contains 28 birth control pills- but only 21 contain the ‘active’, ingredients- the other 7 are there to keep you in a ‘pill taking routine’ so you don’t forget. You should take the first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins. You will probably find that you get your period during the week that you are taking the ‘inactive’ pills.Mircette is meant to be taken once a day but don’t let more than 24 hours lapse before you take the next day’s pill- you will increase the risk of getting pregnant if you do. Follow the packet instructions unless your doctor has advised you to the contrary. Store the pills at room temperature away from moisture and heat.It is also wise to make sure you are not ‘stranded’ without your supply of pills so make sure you have the next month’s prescription on hand to avoid any ‘gaps’ in between courses.Breakthrough Bleeding is ‘common’ to many women during the first 3 months but…..if it persists or gets particularly heavy, let your doctor know.Due for any medical testing or surgery?If you are, tell the surgeon or doctor who is treating you that you are currently taking an oral contraceptive, since you may be required to stop the course before the procedure and maybe for a little while afterwards.