Wednesday, 20 November 2013

General guidelines of using combined oral contraceptive pills & Mechanism of action of OC pills

Contraceptive pills should be started within first 5 days of the menstrual cycle.
Starting within first 2 days will give better protection.



In case of 21 pill pack,
-If pills started on the first day of the cycle, till 21 days, one pill per day to be taken.
-Pill should be taken at same time every day.
-Missing the time can lead to withdrawal bleeding and may decrease the protective effect.
-Better to prefer nights, as it is easy to remember in nights because lack of deviations.
-And better to take the pill after food to decrease side effects like nausea etc.
- After completion of the 21 days, one week will be pill free week.
-In case of 28 days pack, non hormonal pills should be taken during this week.
-Usually women will get withdrawal bleeding during this week.
-After this week, next pack should be started irrespective of the withdrawal bleeding.
-If pill is missed:
• Within 24 hours, you can take that tablet.
• If 24 hours over, you can take two pills in the next day.
The missed tablet as soon as you remember and the second one as per the schedule.
•If more than 2 tablets missed or there is 48 hours gap, take 2 tablets for two days.
And have to use additional method of contraception during that month.
•If any of the last non hormonal 7 pills in 28 days pack is missed, that pill can be discarded and remaining pills can be continued as usual.

-Missing the pill can lead to withdrawal bleeding. But this will subside soon.
Oral contraceptive pills can present with side effects like intermenstrual spotting, break through bleeding, nausea, bloating sensation, altered vaginal discharge etc.
Some women may have delayed or absence of periods also.
If there is any doubt regarding pregnancy, pregnancy test to be taken.
If test comes negative, pills can be continued as per the schedule irrespective of withdrawal bleeding.

Mechanism of action of contraceptive pills:
Contraceptive pills help in preventing pregnancy by
-By preventing the ovulation.
-By altering the cervical lining, that can lead to thickening of the cervical mucus. This obstructs the ascent of spermatozoa.
This cervical mucus can present as a thick vaginal discharge.
- Altering the endometrial lining leading to difficulty in implantation of zygote.




(The viewers are invited to give suggestions or share opinions or ask questions regarding the topic through comment box.)

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