What Is Contraceptive Pill?
The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), often referred to as the birth control pill or colloquially as “the pill“, is a type of birth control that is designed to be taken orally by women. The pill contains two important hormones: a progestin (a synthetic form of the hormone progestogen/progesterone) and estrogen (usually ethinylestradiol or 17β estradiol). When taken correctly, it alters the menstrual cycle to eliminate ovulation and prevent pregnancy.
What Does The Contraceptive Pill Do?
The pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation). It also: thickens the mucus in the neck of the womb, so it’s harder for sperm to reach an egg. thins the lining of the womb, so there’s less chance of a fertilised egg implanting into the womb and being able to grow.
How Long Does Contraceptive Pill Work?
You’ll be protected from pregnancy after 48 hours (2 days). So use another method of birth control (like condoms) if you have penis-in-vagina sex during the first 48 hours. Slynd (a different type of progestin-only pill) is the exception.
What Is The Best Contraceptive Pill In South Africa?
Consider these common combination birth control brands as options in South Africa when comparing pills for pricing and side effects:
Desogestrel
Some people may prefer a birth control pill containing the progestin desogestrel. It may help Trusted Source reduce excess hair growth and acne somewhat better than other pills.
Combination birth control pills that contain desogestrel include:
- Apri (150 mcg desogestrel, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Azurette (150 mcg desogestrel, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Kariva (150 mcg desogestrel, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Mircette (150 mcg desogestrel, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Reclipsen (150 mcg desogestrel, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
Some birth control pills contain the same drugs in the same dosages but have different names. For example, a doctor may prescribe Azurette and Kariva or Reclipsen and Apri interchangeably because they contain the same active ingredients.
Desogestrel birth control may cause Trusted Source symptoms associated with hormonal birth control, such as a headache, upset stomach, mood changes, weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of blood clots.
The medication a doctor recommends may depend on insurance coverage and drug availability.
Drospirenone
Some people prefer birth control pills containing progestin drospirenone because they have diuretic properties, which help preventTrusted Source bloating.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source, drospirenone may increase the risk of blood clots.
A study found that drospirenone may also help treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe type of premenstrual syndrome.
Birth control brands that contain drospirenone include:
- Gianvi (3 mg drospirenone, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Loryna (3 mg drospirenone, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Ocella (3 mg drospirenone, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Syeda (3 mg drospirenone, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Yasmin (3 mg drospirenone, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Yaz (3 mg drospirenone, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Zarah (3 mg drospirenone, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
Levonorgestrel
Birth control pills containing levonorgestrel appear to have a lower risk Trusted Source of side effects, such as blood clots, than pills containing other types of progestin.
Doctors consider pills containing levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol to be an effective first-line treatmentTrusted Source.
Pills that contain levonorgestrel include:
- Aviane (100 mcg levonorgestrel, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Lessina (100 mcg levonorgestrel, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Levora (150 mcg levonorgestrel, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Lutera (100 mcg levonorgestrel, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Portia (150 mcg levonorgestrel, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Sronyx (100 mcg levonorgestrel, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
Norethindrone
Norethindrone is a progestin that comes from testosterone.
People who take birth control pills containing norethindrone may experience side effects such as excess hair growth and acne. If this occurs, a doctor may recommend a different birth control pill.
Birth control pills that contain norethindrone include:
- Balziva (400 mcg norethindrone, 35 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Junel 1/20 (1 mg norethindrone, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Junel 1.5/30 (1.5 mg norethindrone, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Loestrin 1/20 (1 mg norethindrone, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Loestrin 1.5/30 (1.5 mg norethindrone, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Microgestin 1/20 (1 mg norethindrone, 20 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Necon (500 mcg norethindrone, 35 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Nortrel 0.5/35 (500 mcg norethindrone, 35 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Nortrel 1/35 (1 mg norethindrone, 35 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Ortho-Novum 1/35 (1 mg norethindrone, 35 mcg ethinylestradiol)
Norgestimate and norgestrel
People who use birth control pills containing norgestimate or norgestrel may also experience androgenic side effects, such as excess hair growth and acne.
Some brands containing these hormones include:
- Cryselle (300 mcg norgestrel, 30 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Ortho-Cyclen (250 mcg norgestimate, 35 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Previfem (250 mcg norgestimate, 35 mcg ethinylestradiol)
- Sprintec (250 mcg norgestimate, 35 mcg ethinylestradiol)