QUESTION: With IUD's no longer a happy choice, I am trying to decide about methods for birth control.
What's new about new oral contraceptives?
ANSWER: When the pill was first introduced in 1960, it contained rather high amounts of estrogen and progesterone, which created certain undesirable side effects in some of the women taking them.
After years of testing and research, however, it became apparent that such high doses were not necessary for preventing pregnancy.
As a result, new low-dose oral contraceptives have been formulated and these new pills can protect against pregnancy with minimal side effects.
The newest low-dose contraceptives on the market are "triphasic" pills which use three different estrogen-progesterone dosages that match the body's changing needs during the month.
The pills have a different color for each phase, giving the lowest possible dose of hormones that will be effective at each given point in the cycle. Because oral contraceptives were known to cause bad side effects in the past, it is worth mentioning that it is now known that the pill actually offers additional benefits.
Recent studies have determined that oral contraceptive use decreases the risk for both uterine and ovarian cancer, and there is conclusive evidence that there is no association between the pill and breast cancer.
Furthermore, women taking the pill frequently have lighter flows and less trouble with cramps.
Therefore, women who have been skeptical about taking the pill in the past can feel assured that the new pill is a safe and viable form of birth control.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
