The terms about the birth control pill usually describe a group of drugs taken by women in order to avoid getting pregnant. Then in 1955 two scientists introduced the idea of birth control pills when they used progestins for birth control. Before that time of these being introduced many women had to rely on condoms, diaphragms, sponges and in some situations avoiding sexual intercourse altogether during the time when they were more fertile. Unfortunately having no sexual intercourse had its own problems with relating to efficiency (it was very low) compared to other people who tried either the condom, diaphraghm or sponges. But also it was discovered that by supplying estrogens to the make up of these medications made them more effectivein their use.

Let us have a quick look at the types of birth control pills which are available today. Because of the increase in demand for birth control pills there has been extensive research carried out and so there are different kinds of pills which are able to cater for the many different and unique citizens around the world. But broadly speaking there are 4 types of birth control pills and alongside these there are certain injections which can be used for long term birth control. The 4 types of pills we are looking at are as follows:-

1. Combined pills

This type of pill contains both estrogen and progestin and is the most popular of all birth control pills used today. Such a pill needs to be taken daily and each course contains 28 pills.

2. Phased Regime pills

These pills are seldom used nowadays and will often only be given to women who are over the age of 35.

3. Minipill

This one is different as it is for women who are unable to take estrogen for some reason as it does not contain any.

4. Postcoital or Emergency Pill

This one will be used in order for a women to stop getting pregnant in cases where they could get pregnant due to unprotected sexual intercourse. A pill like this needs to be taken within 3 days of the woman having unprotected sexual intercourse.

Now, what about some advantages and disadvantages relating to the birth control pill and these are shown below.

Advantages

The pill is said to be about 10 times more effective than other more common methods of birth control. They are also more customer compliant as they should not need to be used only at the time of sexual intercourse.

Disadvantages

Some of the birth control pills can cause certain side effects such as sickness, weight changes, breakthrough bleeding, blood glucose disturbance, mood swings,hypertension, clot formations in a patients leg and lung veins. So it is important that a woman sits down with her doctor and discusses the best option for her before a solution is prescribed.