What are Daily Oral Contraceptive Pills?

There are numerous methods of birth control or contraception, including pills, patches, barriers (like condoms and diaphragms), and others to prevent pregnancy.

One such well-known option is the ‘Daily Oral Contraceptive Pills’ or ‘Birth Control pills.’ These pills are consumed orally every day either for a certain amount of time with a break in between a pack of such pills or for a continued period till birth control is needed.

They are an efficient way of birth control, with a 91% success rate. These pills contain a small dose of hormones that help to prevent pregnancy.

What are the types of oral contraceptive pills?

Birth control pills come in two types - progestin-only pills and combination pills. Both these pills include hormones that prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills can also offer relief from conditions like acne, hair loss, painful and heavy periods, etc. apart from preventing pregnancy.

Let’s understand the types of birth control pills in detail: Combination pills:

Combination pills include synthetic versions of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Menstrual cycles are controlled mainly by estrogen. Estrogen levels are highest in the middle of your menstrual cycle and lowest during your periods. After ovulation, progesterone causes the endometrium to thicken, preparing the uterus for pregnancy. High progesterone levels stop ovulation.

Combination pills generally come in a 28-pack. Most of these pills taken during each cycle are active, meaning they contain hormones. The remaining pills are inactive, so they don't have any hormones inside them. There are various kinds of combination pills available.

These are:

Monophasic pills - These are given in 1-month cycles. Every active pill contains the same amount of hormone. You can take or miss the inactive pills during the final week of the menstrual cycle and still get your period.

Multiphasic pills - These are given in cycles of 1 month and offer various hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle. You can take or miss the inactive pills during the last week of the menstrual cycle and still get your period.

Extended cycle pills - Usually, these are given in 13-week cycles. You are required to take the active pills for 12 weeks. You can take or miss the inactive pills during the last week of the menstrual cycle and still get your period. Thus, if you take these pills, you will only menstruate three to four times a year.

Progestin-only pills:

Progestin-only pills (synthetic progesterone) contain only progestin and no estrogen.

These pills are also known as mini pills.

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