![]() ( Are your hormones unbalanced-and what does that even mean?) Will I gain weight on the pill? That said, we all respond to hormonal changes differently, Hill says. This works by regulating your hormone levels. It’s believed that progestin stimulates receptors in the brain for the stress hormone cortisol, Hill says, which is why some people may feel anxious or depressed.Īt the same time, other people may use the pill to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder-severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the weeks leading up to your period. Depressive symptoms and increased risks of suicide, particularly among teens ages 15 to 19, are often associated with hormonal contraceptives. Mood changes are one of the most common side effects reported among pill takers, according to surveys. Synthetic hormones in the pills help balance natural hormonal fluctuations in your body that are responsible for many symptoms like acne and painful cramps. ( Endometriosis is common and incredibly painful-and often misdiagnosed.) The combination pill specifically can make your period more regular, as well as prevent acne, bone thinning, cysts in your breasts, endometriosis symptoms, anemia, intense mood swings, and certain kinds of cancers (more on this later.) Besides preventing pregnancy, how might the pill help me?Īll birth control pills can help make your periods lighter and less painful, and lower your risk of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus. ![]() Generic pills have the same active ingredients as brand name pills, which means they carry the same risks and benefits. This could explain why one type of pill may give you acne while another might clear it, Teal says. But there are several kinds of progestin used in pills that differ in terms of how they bind to active receptors on your cells, says Stephanie Teal, chair of the OB-GYN department at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio. Most birth control pills contain the same type of estrogen. (Inactive pills, also known as placebo pills, don’t contain hormones. The continuous-use pill is a type of combination pill that includes more active pills per pack that could shorten your period, make it less frequent, or completely stop it. The FDA approved an over-the-counter version of this pill on July 13. The progestin-only pill, sometimes called the “mini pill,” contains only progestin. The combination pill, also called “the pill,” is most commonly prescribed and it contains synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen (ethinyl estradiol), which controls menstrual bleeding, and progesterone (progestin), which prevents pregnancy. ![]() They all work by releasing synthetic hormones that prevent ovaries from releasing an egg and thickening cervical mucus to block sperm from reaching the uterus. There are three types of birth control pills. ![]() What are the differences between birth control pills? Here’s your guide to the birth control pill. “It's about making decisions that are right for you given your specific goals.” “We're still trying to figure out everything that the pill does, and while we know it does affect women, it’s not dangerous,” says Sarah Hill, a research psychologist who studies women’s health and is the author of This Is Your Brain On Birth Control. ( Maternal mortality is shockingly high in the U.S.) Extremely high doses of hormones led to unnecessary and dangerous side effects that scared people away from the contraceptive altogether.Īlthough pills on the market today contain hormone levels magnitudes lower and are much safer, questions still abound about how they work and their side effects-particularly as the FDA recently approved one version of the pill to be sold without a prescription.Īs with any medication, some side effects and risks are to be expected, but experts who spoke to National Geographic say birth control pill benefits far outweigh the risks when used properly, especially when it comes to preventing pregnancy. Food and Drug Administration-and it was far from perfect. Six decades ago, the first birth control pill was approved by the U.S.
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