The Pill

This paper is a compilation of the research I have gathered pertaining to a birth contraceptive commonly referred to as “the pill.” Before this drug was created, women had few reliable methods of birth control. The oldest practices were the withdrawal and rhythm methods. Some women would make a homemade herbal douche in efforts of preventing pregnancy. The first big breakthrough in birth contraception was lead by Charles Goodyear in 1839. Condoms, intrauterine devices, douching syringes, and diaphrams became available to the public. None of these methods, however, have a higher success rate than the pill. (4)

In order to fully understand how this oral contraceptive works, one must understand what happens during a menstrual cycle, including the names and roles of a few key hormones. The menstrual cycle is caused by various hormones that are released by certain glands. The whole process is controlled by the brain. Just below the brain is the pituitary gland. Hormones FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) are produced in this gland. FSH causes estrogen to be produced, resulting in the maturing of an egg cell. LH causes the egg to be released. Estrogen is one of the main female sex hormones produced by the ovaries throughout the menstrual cycle. The other main hormone also produced by the ovaries is progesterone. This hormone is only produced in the second half of the menstrual cycle. It prepares the body, specifically the uterus, for pregnancy. Any hormone released into the blood stream can cause its own specific effects anywhere in the body. (1)

Birth control pills contain hormones similar to estrogen and progesterone. When these artificial hormones enter the body, the pituitary gland drastically cuts its output of hormones FSH and LH because it “thinks” the woman is pregnant. Since such a small number of hormones reach the ovaries, they go into a resting state, producing minimal amounts of natural estrogen and progesterone. The pill stops the normal menstruation cycle all together. Periods, however, are still present because of the artificial hormones in the pill causing the lining of the uterus to come away and bleed. (1)

The birth control pill is available in varying doses and types of hormones. Two types of pills differing in hormone content are Combination pills and Progestin-only pills. Combination pills are generally preferred. These pills contain versions of estrogen and progesterone. The hormones in the Combination pills block egg development, preventing contraception. The previous paragraph described how the traditional Combination pill stops pregnancy from occuring. These pills are 99% effective if taken correctly: at the same time every day. Combination pills have many advantages besides contraception. They have been proven to decrease the chances of getting of ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, benign breast disease, iron deficiency anemia, dysmenorrhea (painful or difficult menstruation), and in some cases acne. (2)

The following is a table that compares the amounts of estrogen in combination oral contraceptives:

Doses of Estrogen 20 mcg 20/30/35 mcg 30 mcg 30/40/45 mcg 35 mcg 35/35/35 mcg phasic 50 mcg

Brands of Pills AlesseÐ'®, LevliteÐ'®, Loestrin 1/20Ð'® Fe, MircetteÐ'® EstrostepÐ'® Fe LevlenÐ'®, LevoraÐ'®, NordetteÐ'®, Lo/OvralÐ'®, DesogenÐ'®, Ortho-CeptÐ'®, LoestrinÐ'® 1.5/30, YasminÐ'® TriphasilÐ'®, Tri-LevlenÐ'®, TrivoraÐ'® Ortho-CyclenÐ'®, Ovcon-35Ð'®, BreviconÐ'®, ModiconÐ'®, NeconÐ'®, NorethinÐ'®, NorinylÐ'® 1/35, Ortho-NovumÐ'® 1/35, DemulenÐ'® 1/35, ZoviaÐ'® 1/35E Ortho-Tri-CyclenÐ'®, Ortho-NovumÐ'® 7/7/7, TriNorinylÐ'® NeconÐ'® 1/50, NorinylÐ'® 1/50, Ortho-NovumÐ'® 1/50, Ovcon-50Ð'®, OvralÐ'®, DemulenÐ'® 1/50, ZoviaÐ'® 1/50E

(2)

Progestin-only pills work differently than the popular Combination pill. First of all, they contain no estrogen and have a lower dose of progestin (“fake” progesterone). These pills are sometimes referred to as “mini-pills” because of the considerably smaller amount of hormones in them. These pills appeal to women who cannot take estrogen, including women who are breast-feeding. They work in three different ways. They make the cervical mucus in the uterus too thick for the sperm to get through to the egg. They also prevent ovulation in about half of the users. Finally, they affect other hormones, the fallopian tubes, and the lining of the uterus; all which aid in conceiving. Women who take these pills more often experience spotting between periods. (1)

There are two different systems that can be used in taking the pill. The first and most common is the 21-day system. The woman takes the pill at the same time every day for 21 consecutive days. Some brands of birth control pills will include placebos or “blanks.” The purpose of these types of pills is to get the woman in the habit of taking her pill at the right time every day. There is no need to remember when to start up a new pack with the fake pills included. (1)

The second system is the Tricycle System. In this system, three or four packs are taken in succession, amounting to up to 84 days. Instead of having a period once a month, it will come along only four times a year. This system is becoming more preferred among women for obvious reasons, but some women prefer having a period every month because it reassured them that they are not pregnant more frequently. A woman who becomes pregnant on this type of pill system could be two months pregnant before she even knows. (1)

If a female decides she wants to