How to choose a suitable, effective and safe birth control pill?

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Choosing the right birth control pill can be a challenge. This article will help you learn the pros and cons of different birth control pills to make the right decision for you.

There are two main types of birth control pills:
Combined oral contraceptives This pill contains both estrogen and progestin . There are many combination pills to choose from, depending on how often you want to get your period and the hormone dosage that works best for you.
The mini pill This medicine contains only progestin . Minipills don't offer as many choices as combination pills. In each pack, all pills contain the same amount of progestin and all pills work. The dose of progestin in a minipill is lower than the dose of progestin in any combination pill.
The combined oral contraceptive comes in a variety of active and inactive pills, depending on how often you want to get your period:
Regular Regular packs typically contain 21 active pills and seven inactive pills, or 24 active pill and four inactive pills.

Continuous Dose or Extended Cycle These packs typically contain 84 active pills and seven inactive pills. Menstrual cycles appear only four times a year, during which time you take the inactive pill.
Combination birth control pills are also classified according to whether the dose of the hormone in the active pill stays the same or changes:
Single dose In this type of combined oral contraceptive, each active pill contains the same amount of estrogen and progestin. .
Multi-dose In this type of combined oral contraceptive, the amount of hormone in the pill works differently.
Most combination birth control pills contain 10 to 35 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol, which is an estrogen. Women who are hormone-sensitive may be advised to take a single-dose estrogen pill.

Combination birth control pills prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs. They also slow the progress of an egg through the fallopian tubes, thicken cervical mucus, and thin the lining of the uterus (endometrium). All of these things help keep sperm from joining the egg.
The minipills slow the egg's progress through the fallopian tubes, thicken cervical mucus, and clear the endometrium - all of which help prevent sperm from reaching the egg. The minipill also sometimes prevents ovulation.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and any medications you're taking to determine which birth control pill is right for you. Your doctor may not recommend the use of combined oral contraceptives if you:
Just had a baby Are older than 35 years old and smoke High blood pressure control

Have a blood clotting disorder or have a history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
Have a history of breast cancer Have a history of stroke or heart disease Have diabetes-related complications Have liver or gallbladder disease Yes a history of migraines Have unexplained uterine bleeding Your doctor may not recommend the use of the minipill if you:
Have breast cancer Have certain liver diseases Have unexplained uterine bleeding Take anticonvulsants or anti-tuberculosis drugs

4.1 Pros - Easily reverses birth control if you're hoping to get pregnant
- Reduces premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Less severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
- Improves acne
- Shorter, lighter and more predictable periods, or less or no periods
- Reduces heavy bleeding (menorrhagia ) and associated anemia
- Reduces symptoms of endometriosis
- Reduces risk of ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancers
- May positively affect bone density Improves unwanted hair growth (hirsutism) caused by polycystic ovary syndrome.

4.2 Cons - Quitting or taking it late can make it less effective
- Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV
- Increased risk of high cholesterol, heart attack and stroke
- Increased risk of blood clots, especially for smokers and women over 35, with a slightly higher risk of blood clots than pills containing higher doses of estrogen
- Increased risk of cervical and cancer breast for women who are currently taking the combined oral contraceptive pill, but this risk seems to decrease to normal when you stop taking the pill
- Side effects such as irregular bleeding, bloating, breast pain, sadness vomiting, depression, weight gain and headaches.

5.1 Pros - Easy to reverse birth control if you're hoping to get pregnant
- Can be done even if you have certain health problems that increase your risk of taking the combination pill, like blood clots, migraine, high blood pressure or high risk of heart disease
- Less likely than combination pills to interfere with breastfeeding
5.2 Cons - Must be taken at the same time every day - if you skip one pill or take it more than 3 hours later, you need to use a backup form of birth control for at least two days
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV
- Side effects such as irregular menstrual bleeding, ovarian cysts, decreased libido, headaches, breast tenderness, acne, weight gain, depression and hirsutism
- Slight increase in risk that if pregnancy occurs, the egg is Insemination will implant outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)

You have many options for birth control, hopefully the information above will help you make a quick decision and right for you.

Article referenced source: mayoclinic.org