Contraceptive patch, ring and pills – An overview
Women who are sexually active usually prefer using some or the other contraceptives, which are suitable for them. Many different contraceptives have been introduced, such as contraceptive ring, contraceptive patch and contraceptive pills. Read further to learn more about all three of these.
The number of women having unplanned pregnancy was quite large,
and it often lead to several complications for such women. With the introduction of new contraceptive methods, that can be used solely by women, have made a major difference in the situation. Women have now become more independent, and in control of their sex life. They can now plan their family life, and be an active participant in the same. Until recently, it was only men who could use contraceptive methods such as condoms. Many different contraceptive methods, such as contraceptive patch, contraceptive ring and contraceptive pills, are such that can be used by women. These contraceptives consist of artificial female hormones of oestrogen or progestogen, with the help of which they prevent conception.
What are contraceptive patches?
are one of the latest contraceptives used by women, which are required to be applied on your lower abdomen. The female hormones are released through the pores of your skin, into your bloodstream. Once they enter your body, they work in the same way as contraceptive pills do. One of the most popular and widely used contraceptive patch is Evra patch. Evra consists of ethinylestradiol (artificial oestrogen) and norelgestromin (artificial progestogen) as its active ingredients. Apart from protecting you against pregnancy, it also helps you in regulating your periods, reducing heavy periods and menstrual pain. You are required to change the applied patch every 7 days, and keep it applied for up to 3 weeks. Thereafter, you take a break of 7 days, during which you are likely to have your periods.
What is a contraceptive ring?
Another contraceptive method is which is supposed to be placed between inside your vaginal walls. The ring is most effective if it is placed on the very first day of your periods. A popularly and commonly used contraceptive of this type is NuvaRing. This contraceptive has been proven to be almost 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. It consists of ethinylestradiol (an artificial oestrogen) and etonogestrel (an artificial progestogen) as its active ingredient. This contraceptive ring gives protection in three ways, by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to avoid a sperm from entering and fertilizing an egg, and by altering the womb lining, to prevent an egg from growing further. Some of the side effects of this contraceptive ring include nausea, headaches, weight gain and vaginal secretions.
What are contraceptive pills?
are divided into two categories of combination pills and mini pills. The combination pills, which are commonly referred to as 'the pill', contain both the artificial female hormones of oestrogen and progestogen. Mini pills, on the other hand, consist of only one artificial female hormone, the progestogen, as its active ingredient. Combination pills gives protection against pregnancy in three ways, while the mini pills are similar in its effect to that of combination pills. Contraceptive pills are supposed to be taken on a daily basis, and at the same time. Combination pills are the contraceptive pills, which are supposed to be taken for 21 days of your menstrual cycle, with a break of 7 days, during which you are likely to have your periods. The mini pills are required to be taken for all 28 days of your menstrual cycle.
