Do The Contraceptive Pills Ensure Equal Protection Like Condoms?

The sexually active men and women of today’s world are familiar with the importance of using condom during sexual intercourse. Condom not only protects the partners from the risk of sexually transmitted infections but also usability of this artificial skin is almost undisputed in birth control. It stops the sperm containing seminal fluids to enter the vagina and reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancy. However, irrespective of its benefits, the safety of condom is not full proof. It is not difficult to find such examples, where despite condom use women conceived as the thin skin tore during intercourse. In addition, several couples have also expressed their discontent regarding the discomfort they face while using condom. These facts clearly tell that despite condom has widely been accepted as the most important contraceptive device, it cannot guarantee 100% protection. The contraceptive pills, on the other hand, apart from saving couples from the discomfort of using condom, are capable of providing almost complete protection against pregnancy related risks if you take them according to instruction.

The recent demographic surveys have found that throughout the UK almost one-third of all adult women are using oral contraceptive pills to avoid the risk of unwanted pregnancy. These pills, also known as combined oral contraceptives, contain oestrogen and progestogen, two artificial women sex hormones that control the pregnancy process. The two most widely known hormonal contraceptives in the UK market are Dianette and Yasmin. A single pill of either medication, which your consultant will prescribe, needs to be taken on a regular basis since the first day of your menstrual cycle for 21 consecutive days, followed by a pill free week. While you will be completely free from the risk of unwanted pregnancy during these 7 days you may experience a withdrawal bleeding. These combined oral contraceptive pills simply increase the natural level of oestrogen and progestogen that should exist in your physical system during your conceiving stage. They also mimic the function of natural hormones. While oestrogen makes your physical system believe that ovulation has already occurred and makes it difficult for a sperm to enter the womb, the possibility of a sperm’s penetration is made further difficult by progestogen as it increases mucus viscosity at the neck of womb.

Dianette and Yasmin, apart from protecting women from the risk of unwanted pregnancy, also treat dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation, regulate periods and also show effective in treating common skin problems. Quite recently an interesting report was published in Medical News Today (25th July, 2011), which said that men, like women, may also use contraceptive pills instead of condoms. According to the scientists, unlike combined oral contraception for women, the male birth control pills will contain testosterone and progestin hormones. The main goal of these pills will be reduce sperm count to such an extent that isn’t conducive for conceiving. The male contraceptive pills are at the premarketing stage and they have shown very positive results in clinical studies.  However, a male user of these medications may face physical complications if they take it with alcohol. Irrespective of all these negatives, there is no denial if this medication is launched in the market it can be a very safe alternative to condom use.