Low Dose Oral Contraceptive Pills Minimize Side Effects

Today’s oral contraceptive pills contain much lower doses of synthetic hormones than in the 1960’s when ‘The PILL’ (with 50 micrograms of estrogen) first went onto the market. “That’s not helped me much”, you may be saying to yourself but here’s some information about low dose oral contraceptive pills that may be beneficial for you if you’re not happy with your current pill.

Trial and error with different pill types is worth pursuing -bearing in mind that oral contraceptives are still not the perfect method of birth control for everyone. If you are on the ‘right pill’ to suit your body, you should feel exactly the same way as you do normally, if not a little better. Some women cannot tolerate the estrogen in combined oral contraceptive pills so are prescribed progestin only pills. Estrogen seemed to be the main culprit where side effects were to blame so ‘low dose’ pills were developed to minimise these.

Changing hormone levels within your body can result in side effects which vary for every individual.
Keeping hormones at a consistent level in your body is the job of oral contraceptives so that you do not ovulate, your uterine lining thins and your cervical mucous thickens. These three events work together to prevent pregnancy.

Pills such as ALESSE and MIRCETTE are called ultra low dose pills as they contain only 20mcg of estrogen. These oral contraceptives are effective at preventing pregnancy but some women find that they have more spotting and breakthrough bleeding with them than with pills containing 30 or 35 micrograms (considered the norm today) of estrogen. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding often disappear after a few months on a low dose oral contraceptive pill. Women who prefer ALESSE and MIRCETTE say they reduce headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness and bloating. These two brands also may be better for ‘first timer pill users’ as a ‘low estrogen start’ to introducing synthetic hormones into their bodies.

Progestin only pills or ‘mini pills’

These oral contraceptives are 90-95% effective at preventing pregnancy compared to the 99% efficacy rate of combination pills. However, they do not cause the common side effects of estrogen pills such as nausea, breast tenderness and cramps. The risk of developing deep vein thrombosis and cardiovascular disease is lower with progestin only pills. Nursing mothers can use progestin only pills a few weeks after giving birth as progestin does not affect milk supply like estrogen does.

‘Mini pills’ must be taken every day at the same time with no break. If you miss just one pill or take it more than three hours past the regular time, you need to use a backup method of birth control for 48 hours after taking the late pill. Disadvantage of the ‘mini pill’ – apart from irregular spotting and breakthrough bleeding, is that it can increase the risk of ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancy.

Sources:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Elizabeth Silverman, obstetrician-gynecologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. Dr. Pamela Deak, obstetrician-gynecologist at the University of California San Diego Medical Center.

Mircette

Mircette will make it a tough job for his sperm to reach your uterus

Mircette is an oral contraceptive pill which contains the synthetic female hormones, Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel. These two compounds are commonly used in birth control pills to prevent pregnancy.

In a woman’s body, Mircette does 3 things to help prevent that eager little sperm from reaching his destination- your egg:

• prevents ovulation
• alters the cervical mucous
• alters the uterine lining

Further information about Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel in Mircette
These two active drugs in the Mircette oral contraceptive pill should NOT be used if:

• you are, or think you may be, pregnant or you have recently had a baby. Mircette may be linked to birth defects in an unborn child and can pass through breast milk
• you have previously been diagnosed with a heart condition, have experienced blood clotting, circulation problems or have had a stroke. The hormones in Mircette, like other contraceptive pills, can increase the risk of stroke, especially if you smoke and even more so if you smoke and are 35 or over
• you have liver cancer or a type of hormonal cancer such as breast or uterine cancer
• you have been jaundiced or suffered any type of liver disease

As with any new course of oral contraceptive pill, it is wise to take extra birth control precautions with Mircette initially, until your hormone levels settle down. Condoms and spermicides are popular but consult your doctor if these do not suit you.

Other important factors to discuss with your doctor when taking the oral contraceptive Mircette

Many women take extra vitamin and mineral pills as part of their daily routine without thinking that ingredients in them (eg St. John’s Wort) could affect their contraceptive pill.
Some common ‘over the counter’ pills CAN affect Mircette’s effectiveness overnight so please tell your doctor about ‘all things swallowed’!

Are you suffering from epilepsy, angina, high cholesterol or irregular menstrual cycles?

If so, please discuss the dosage of Mircette that you may still be able to take. If your doctor prescribes Mircette, you will probably be required to have regular check ups.
Don’t forget to mention to your doctor any existing medical ailments you have/have had if you are considering using an oral contraceptive like Mircette.

How to take Mircette
Mircette is similar to most oral contraceptives ie. you take one pill each day, no more than 24 hours apart. Do not take more than one pill for regular use or for longer periods than prescribed.
On the first day of your period take the first pill of the pack (or if you forget, on the first Sunday after your period starts)
Each pack per cycle contains 28 pills but only 21 are ‘active’- the other 7 are ‘reminder’ pills (non active) to keep you in the habit of taking one pill per day.
You should get your period when you are taking the ‘reminder’ pills- if 2 months pass without you getting a period- see your doctor.
For maximum effectiveness, take Mircette regularly (not less than 24 hrs. between pills) or you may fall pregnant.

Breakthrough Bleeding

Breakthrough bleeding within the first 3 months of taking Mircette is quite common and nothing to be alarmed about. Of course, if bleeding becomes heavy or does not disappear, go to the doctor.

Remember- everyone’s BODY is unique- just because a drug may not carry a warning on its leaflet does not mean that it is safe, effective or appropriate for YOUR body- so monitor yourself carefully when you start taking any new drug, including Mircette.