All the contraceptive pills have artificial hormones present which help prevent pregnancy in women. But these pills often affect the sexual health of women in terms of lower libido, which may lead them to avoiding having sex.
Oral contraception has become the most popular method of preventing pregnancy among women. These contraceptive pills have artificial female hormones oestrogen and progestogen in them,
which help prevent pregnancy. Two types of pills like the combined pills and the 'mini pill' are available, which have been proven to be almost 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Let's discuss some of these pills.
Microgynon
Microgynon is a combined pill, which means that it has two artificial hormones in it. The active ingredients in the pill acting as the hormone are ethinylestradiol (30 micrograms) and levonorgestrel (150 micrograms), which help prevent pregnancy in three ways. These ingredients inhibits the occurrence of ovulation as a result of which egg is not formed at all. The thickening of the womb lining is prevented as well as the cervical mucus if thickened so that the sperm cannot enter the womb.Women who are above 18 years of age and are not pregnant or breastfeeding can take this pill. You should avoid taking this pill if there have recent episodes of unexplained vaginal bleeding, history of stroke and heart or circulation problems. The pill should be taken for 21 days with 7 pill-free days either with or without food. The commonly noticed side effects of this pill are nausea, vomiting, headaches, weight gain, breast tenderness or enlargement, water retention, vaginal thrush, and change in menstrual bleeding.
Loestrin
Loestrin also known as the pill is almost 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and comes in the dosage strength of 20 mg and 30 mg. The two active ingredients in this pill are ethinylestradiol (20 micrograms in Loestrin 20; 30 mg in Loestrin 30) and norethisterone (1 mg in Loestrin 20; 1.5 mg in Loestrin 30).Women who are above 18 years of age and are looking for a low-dosage pill for preventing pregnancy can take this pill. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have heart, liver or circulation problems, have had a stroke, high blood pressure and varicose veins should avoid taking Loestrin.The commonly noticed side effects of this pill are headaches, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, changes in weight, water retention, vaginal thrush, and changes in menstrual bleeding.
Cerazette
Cerazette is a mini pill, which means that it contains only one artificial female hormone progestogen and has been proven to be almost 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. The active ingredient present in this pill is desogestrel which helps in prevention of pregnancy. This pill should be taken on the very first day of your period for full 28 days of your menstrual cycle.
Women who are above 18 years of age and looking for a long-term contraception can buy this pill. Women having a history of circulation problems or breast cancer, and recently had jaundice or unexplained vaginal bleeding should avoid taking this pill. The commonly noticed side effects of this pill are mood changes, low levels of sexual drive, headaches, acne, nausea, breast pain, weight gain, and irregular or no periods.
Marvelon
Marvelon, commonly known as the pill is a combined contraceptive, which is proven to be almost 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. The two active ingredients present in this pill are ethinylestradiol (30 micrograms) and desogestrel (150 micrograms), which help prevent pregnancy in 3 ways. Women over the age of 18 can take Marvelon, but women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are above 35 and smoke should avoid using this pill.
The commonly noticed side effects for this pill are nausea, vomiting, headaches, bloating, breast pain or tenderness and changes in weight, in sex drive or periods.
All these pills can have effects on your sexual health as they can only prevent you from unwanted pregnancy. However, these pills can not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STD) as a result of which you become prone to infections such as HIV and genital herpes. In order to keep yourself safe from such viral infections, you can use condoms as a protection towards them and also keep yourself sexually healthy.
