Hormonal contraception - how to choose the right one?

Sex is pleasure – after such a slogan you can safely put a period, but for many people intimate intimacy is paid for with stress and fear of unwanted pregnancy. A wide range of available contraceptive methods is a great luxury, but also quite a conundrum. Today we are leaning over hormonal methods . How do they work and what should you know before you start using them?

What is hormonal contraception?

This is one of the most popular and effective methods of preventing pregnancy. There are many types of contraceptives available: in addition to pills , we have contraceptive patches , implants , injections , intrauterine devices and vaginal rings .

How do birth control pills work?

Contraceptive pills are divided into two groups:

• two-component – ​​containing progestogen (i.e. a synthetic equivalent of progesterone) and synthetic estrogen;
• single-component – ​​containing only progestogen.

Birth control pills inhibit ovulation and change the viscosity of the cervical mucus (thicker and less permeable to sperm). In the case of single-ingredient pills, changes also occur in the lining of the uterus to make it less susceptible to implantation of a fertilized egg.

The key issue is to always take oral contraceptives at the same time of day. It seems trivially simple, all you have to do is set an alarm clock... In reality, it often turns out to be problematic ;) Each of us has different daily routines or obligations. Sometimes it turns out that at a given time we can't take a pill: because we don't have it with us, because we don't have anything to wash it down with or we simply FORGET. And here comes the problem.

When taking birth control pills, remember that the time frame given by the manufacturer is 12 hours. In the case of low-dose, two-component drugs (i.e. new-generation birth control pills) or single-component drugs, it is advisable to observe a window of 3 to 4 hours.

If you don’t feel up to taking on such responsibility (or you simply know that your lifestyle won’t allow you to keep it in check) – okay! As I mentioned at the beginning, hormonal contraception is not just about pills .

Also read our article about whether intimate gel affects contraceptive pills .

Hormonal contraception – other forms

If pills are not for you – maybe patches ?

Contraceptive patches are stuck on a chosen spot for 7 days – most often on the arm, lower abdomen or lower back. They contain synthetic hormones that are the equivalent of female sex hormones. They penetrate the skin and blockovulation , which prevents the release of a mature egg. The effect is therefore similar to that of contraceptive pills, but the patches do not burden the liver (and you don't have to remember about them as often).

It's similar with vaginal rings - it's another method of hormonal contraception. You put them on for 3 weeks, during which you forget about their existence and don't have to worry about anything :)

The hormonal IUD (also called a coil ) is inserted by a doctor and its effect lasts for up to 5 years. It is therefore a long-term method of preventing pregnancy. Unlike contraceptive pills, here you have "peace of mind" for a long time ;) If you have given birth and are not currently planning another pregnancy, inserting a hormonal IUD will be easier for you and therefore less painful. Remember that there are IUDs available on the market for people who have never given birth. It is all a matter of talking to your doctor and determining your expectations and the possibilities appropriate for your body.

Also read our article about the morning-after pill .

How to choose the right hormonal contraception method?

Hormonal contraception requires complex preparation. The decision to introduce it into your life must be responsible and fully conscious. After all, these are means that have a huge impact on the functioning of the entire body. There are so many contraceptive methods and without specialist knowledge it is difficult to choose the right one. That is why we decided to help all the lost souls!

Using hormonal contraception – where to start?

The decision has been considered and made, but what next?

Of course, start by meeting with a gynecologist, who will conduct the necessary tests and medical history. If this is your first visit in your life - don't stress out! Talk to your loved ones and ask what their first twitches in the gynecological office were like. Just in case, our friendly gynecologist has prepared a "cheat sheet" for you, which I strongly encourage you to read .

A visit related to contraception is unique in that during it, questions arise related to the occurrence of various diseases in the family - including thromboembolic episodes (varicose veins, strokes, etc.) and addictions. The rest is the same as during a standard visit - so expect questions about other comorbidities, possible disturbing ailments, and the like. They can be very detailed - in order to choose the right hormonal contraception, you need to approach the body holistically. All this to exclude all contraindications to the use of hormonal contraception.

Many diseases and conditions prevent the use of certain types of contraception, which is why a thorough interview is so important. Answer the questions truthfully and do not hide anything - the doctor is there to help you, not to moralize you! With such knowledge, the gynecologist will reject hormonal contraception methods that will pose a greater risk of thromboembolism for you.

Do you have acne? If so, your doctor will think about contraception, which will also help you with this problem. Do you have migraine headaches? They are not related to the reproductive organs, but when choosing the right contraception, their presence is of great importance, because they rule out taking the combined contraceptive pill.

Tests needed to prescribe hormonal contraception

In addition to an appropriately conducted interview by a doctor, laboratory tests and a current cytology are also important (don't forget about regular examinations - cytology should be performed once a year!) .

What needs to be investigated?

• It may be important to assess your blood count, liver function , and coagulation system . A full hormonal profile is also helpful to make sure that all results were normal before you started contraception and that you are not currently pregnant.
• Also, have a breast ultrasound done – by the way ;) It is not required as standard, but it is a good opportunity to thoroughly examine your body. One of the side effects (including the combined contraceptive pill) is the formation of breast cysts. Don't worry – this is a common and harmless side effect. Hormonal drugs act on hormonally active tissues (including the glandular tissue of the breast).

Okay, let's assume that everything is fine with you and you're as healthy as a fiddle. What's next?

Side effects of birth control pills

When taking hormonal contraception, you must expect side effects. One of them is weight gain . Note: do not confuse it with an increase in the amount of fat tissue ! These extra pounds result from the accumulation of water in the body, which is common when using an incorrectly selected preparation. Don't worry - discuss the matter with a specialist to choose another medicine, and the symptoms should go away.

Other side effects may occur when using hormonal contraception, such as:

• Mood swings and emotional lability .
• Acne – if a particular hormone is not your cup of tea, hormonal skin changes may become more severe.
• Thromboembolic episodes – although they happen extremely rarely, it is worth keeping this risk in mind. Pay attention to unusual headaches, sometimes accompanied by visual disturbances or sharp pains in the limbs. If you have not been previously diagnosed with potential problems of this type, do not worry in advance (however, I emphasize the fact of the diagnosis itself – we are often not aware of many problems and anomalies taking place in our body). Discuss this with your doctor!

We also encourage you to read the article: contraceptive pills and libido .

Birth control pills and your period

While taking the pill, especially in the first months of use, you may experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding.

Instead of the standard period while taking the pill, we have what is called withdrawal bleeding . As the name suggests, it occurs during the break in taking the pills or taking a placebo.

The doses of hormones contained in the tablets cause less growth of the uterine lining , and its shedding (menstruation) takes less time, is less abundant and often less painful.

Trust yourself and your doctor

You already know how important it is to go to the right doctor, who will choose the best method and minimize the risk of side effects on the body. You should also remember that each method you start needs a moment to start working properly - in the first month you may have abnormal bleeding, feel more emotionally unstable than usual or notice swelling of the body (this is water storage, which I mentioned above) or acne. The body has to get used to it. However, if after 3 months the symptoms remain at the same level of intensity - it's time to think about something else. You are the one who has to feel comfortable.

There are also "red flags", such as a sudden severe headache, leg pain (or a change in its color), or vision or hearing problems. During the first few months of contraception, you should carefully observe your body and talk to your doctor about any changes in its functioning. It is also worth mentioning that sudden weight gain after starting contraception is not normal - of course, unless you have started working in a pastry shop where you like to snack during breaks or you do not combine it with any other change in your lifestyle. ;)

In summary, everything is for people and everyone can choose something good for themselves from the contraceptive bag. If the originally chosen method causes disturbing side effects - talk about it with your gynecologist. Hormonal contraception is just one of the options!

Safe pleasure

Using contraception should never be a compulsion, but a nod to your own health and safety. If you are not currently planning to have a child (for various reasons – you do not have to explain them!), choose the right contraceptive method for you together with a specialist and experience intimate intimacy with a calm head.