- The birth control pill (the pill) was invented in the early 1960s by the American biochemist Dr. Gregory Pincus. Since the pill came into our lives it has completely changed the way humanity perceives sex.
- The pill changed the lives of many women and became a topic of social, political, moral, religious and feminist debate. That is, the discussion about the pills does not only revolve around the issue of fertility and procreation but around female sexual freedom.
- About 23% of women in Israel take birth control pills.
- The pill usually consists of two hormones: estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are found in a woman’s body naturally and are related to the female reproductive system. When their amount in the body changes and increases they affect the ovulation process and thus prevent pregnancy.
- The condom prevents pregnancy by creating a partition between the sperm and the egg, so there is no contact between the body fluids and therefore the condom protects against sexually transmitted diseases. Unlike a condom, the pill prevents ovulation itself and does not create any protection against sexually transmitted diseases – it only protects against pregnancy! Therefore, those who take the pill are also advised to use a condom, until the couple knows for sure that they cannot infect each other. For more information on the subject click here.
- Today, you can find two categories of pills: the combined pill – pills that contain estrogen and progesterone (like Jasmine and Yaz). Mini pills – named so because they contain only progesterone (Cerazette for example) and is suitable for women who can not use contraceptives that contain estrogen, for example breastfeeding women (sometimes these pills are also called breastfeeding pills). Of course, each type has advantages and disadvantages and you should consult a doctor before usе.
- There are more than ten types of pills in Israel, which contain different hormonal doses. All of them can be purchased only with a doctor’s prescription.
- The pills have an efficiency of 99.8% – however their success depends on taking them consistently and according to the doctor’s instructions. If taking the pills is inconsistent the effectiveness decreases significantly. Nowadays you can use many technological ways that will remind you to take the pill, but if you know you tend to be forgetful you should continue to protect yourself with a condom as well.
- Taking the pill may have side effects such as: decreased libido, pain during penetration, vaginal dryness, sensitivity or a feeling of congestion in the breasts, a feeling of bloating, nausea, dizziness, headache. If the side effects are severe, you should see a doctor – you may need to change the type of pill to a pill with a different hormonal dose.
- Each type of pill affects each woman differently. If your friend has suffered from side effects from a certain pill, it does not mean that you will suffer from them. In case of side effects, changing the type of pill usually solves the problem.
- In most types of pills, if you started taking the pills on the first day of the menstrual bleeding you are protected from that day. If you start taking the pills at another stage of your menstrual cycle, the pill will only start protecting you after two weeks. In any case, follow the doctor’s and manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- If you forget a pill, and it has not been 12 hours since you took it, take it immediately, chances are you are protected but as the gap between the pills increases, so does its effectiveness. It is therefore advised to use additional protective measures.
- If you forget a pill and it has been 12 hours or more since the time of taking it, take it immediately and use another protective device (condom) until you start the next pack of pills, because from now on you are not protected.
- Forgot two pills in a row? You can “complete” up to 2 pills. For example, if you forgot to take the Friday and Saturday pills, in order to “complete” them you can take the Friday and Saturday pill 6 hours apart on Sunday, and on Monday the Sunday and Monday pill, they must also be taken 6 hours apart. It is important to note that in this case you are not protected and you must also use a condom until the next pack of pills. Remember that any “skip” or delay in taking a pill can lead to bleeding even if you are in the middle of the pack.
- If you forget a pill and have sex during the two days before or during the two days after, it is better to use an emergency contraceptive pill (Postinor) to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. The sperm has the ability to survive for several days in the womb.
- If you experience vomiting or diarrhea, the pill may not have been absorbed into the bloodstream, so you should use a condom during this month. In case of one-time vomiting: Take a new pill as soon as you feel well. In case of vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours, you should consult a doctor.
- If you are taking antibiotics, ask your doctor if it may affect the absorption of the pills. Most types of antibiotics don’t affect the pill, but there are types of antibiotics that can affect the effectiveness of the pill. In this case it may be possible to change the type of antibiotic. If this is not possible, you will also need to use a condom throughout the month you are being treated with antibiotics.
- Beyond contraception, the pill helps in other areas: it reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, it helps regulate menstruation, it reduces pain and bleeding during menstruation, it reduces acne and it reduces body hair.
- The pill is a medication! Therefore, it must not be taken without a prescription, or taken without the doctor’s instructions. If you received a prescription – do not pass it on.
- Not every pill is right for every woman! Therefore, it is mandatory to consult a doctor beforehand. During the conversation with the doctor, tell them about your and your family’s entire medical history. If you do not know all the questions you want to ask, write them down and ask them at the next meeting. Your medical history is of great importance in tailoring the right pill for you. Insist on getting all the information about the side effects and risks of taking hormones on a daily basis from your doctor.
- Some women can not use pills – Women suffering from migraines and especially migraines with aura, women who have blood clotting problems, women who are overweight, women with heart disease, diabetes, suffering from liver, gallbladder problems, women who are suspected of being pregnant, women who have breast cancer or have had breast cancer in the past five years, smoking women over the age of 35.
- It is not recommended to start taking the pill before the first menstrual cycle because it can impair development.
- Side effects that require immediate medical attention: severe headaches, severe leg pain, difficulty breathing, visual disturbances, severe dizziness or fainting.
- Taking pills may slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Smoking significantly increases the chance of life-threatening side effects from taking the pill. Therefore, if you are a smoker you must tell your doctor. Pills are not recommended at all for smoking women over the age of 35 or for women who are considered “heavy” smokers.
- The reason you can only get a prescription for three months at a time is so that you will be under regular medical supervision while taking the pill, so you can always consult and report side effects. You do not have to undergo a gynecological examination every time, but it is recommended that you do it once a year.
- If you want to stop taking the pill, do it at the end of the pack. Take the whole pack and do not start a new one, do not stop in the middle.
- Is it recommended taking a break from the pill from time to time? Doctors recommend not to do so, so as not to confuse the body. Studies show that the pill does not harm fertility, and in this respect the sequence can be maintained.
- Emergency Contraceptive Pill – As the name implies, a pill that should only be used in an emergency. If you forget to take a pill, if the condom breaks, or when any other means of protection has failed, you can take an emergency pill once within 72 hours of having sex. If you are over the age of 16 you can buy it without a prescription. The earlier you take the pill, the more effective it is. This medicine should be used only as an emergency measure and not regularly. Here you can read more about emergency pills.
- You do not have to finance everything yourself! So far no pill has been invented for men but that does not mean they should not share the burden. You can ask your partner to participate in the financial outlay, share with him when you need to take the pill, and so on. According to an interview given by the inventor of the pill, Dr. Pincus, to the Haaretz newspaper in 2013, they will probably never invent a pill for men, because it is simply not economical for the pharmaceutical companies. Sounds cynical and it sucks but we remain optimistic and hope it will change.
מיקום המרפאה: רחוב לוינסקי 108, בתוך התחנה המרכזית החדשה, בקומה 5, חנות 5531 טלפון: 03-5373738
