Evra is a convenient transdermal contraceptive patch used as a birth control method to prevent pregnancy and was introduced in the UK in 2002. Evra patch contains both artificial oestrogen and progestogen (norelgestromin and ethinylestradiol), and works in a very similar way to combined oral contraceptives (the pill) except that only one patch is required per week. Also known as Ortho Evra, the patch releases a steady dose of hormones into your bloodstream through your skin, for the entire duration of your cycle. Similar to the, it is easy to use and low maintenance contraception, providing an alternative for those who may be unable to take the traditional pills.
How does the Evra Patch work? Ortho Evra's contraceptive hormones are released into the bloodstream through your skin, and once they are in your system, they work in the same way as regular combination contraceptives.
It prevents ovulation from occurring, so that an egg doesn't get released when it's supposed to. This happens because the hormones in Evra patches, norelgestromin and ethinylestradiol, make the body think that ovulation has already happened. As an additional measure, the transdermal birth control patch prevents sperm from entering the womb by changing the consistency of the cervical mucous, and it also doesn't allow the womb lining to thicken enough for an egg to grow there.
The three-part process can be summarised as follows:. It delivers a dose of oestrogen and progestogen, which prevents an egg from reaching the ovaries stopping the ovulation. Secondly, it thickens the cervix wall, making it more difficult for sperm to enter and reach the womb. Thirdly, it thins the lining of the womb so that, in the unlikely event of an egg getting released and fertilised, it will not be able to implant itself in the wall As with any birth control method, if you do not use the contraceptive patch in time or keep it on for too long, its effectiveness will be compromised. More information regarding this, and what you should do, is detailed below.
The patch is also effective if you happen to vomit or have diarrhoea as, unlike the contraceptive pills it is absorbed straight into the skin. Please ensure you speak to your health care provider regarding the best method suited to you before using this hormonal contraceptive.
What are the benefits of Ortho-Evra? The Evra contraceptive patch provides women with a convenient alternative to the pill. All you have to do is use a patch every seven days to enjoy complete protection. Abdomen Buttocks Shoulder Upper arm Evra transdermal patches are used for three weeks (21 days) of your cycle, followed by a seven-day break period, during which you will still be completely protected.
You should change your patch every seven days, so apply a new patch on day eight meaning there are three patches in every 1-month supply. If you start using the patches within the first 24 hours of your period, you should be fully protected, but if you take use the patch later than that you should wait seven days before having sex or use extra barrier contraceptive methods. Apply the patch to clean, dry and smooth skin.
Do not use any lotions or creams on that area. The patch should stay on for the following week. Check daily to make sure it is still in place. On the 8th day, remove 'Patch One' and apply the new patch immediately. You can change the location of each of your patch, remembering to always place on dry, clean and hair-free skin.
'Patch Two' stays on for the next week. Check daily to make sure it is still in place. On the 15th day, remove 'Patch Two' and apply 'Patch Three' immediately. Again, you can change the location. 'Patch Three' stays on for the next week. Check daily to make sure it is still in place.
On the 22nd day, remove 'Patch Three'. Do not apply another patch. The next seven days is your patch-free week where you may experience a withdrawal bleed similar to your period. Apply the next patch on the 29th day, regardless of whether you're still bleeding or not, and continue the cycle again As mentioned, the patch will be of maximum effectiveness immediately if applied with the first to fifth day of your period.
If not, use barrier protection or avoid sex for the next week. What if I forget an Evra Patch? There is not any research specific to the contraceptive patch if you've forgotten to take either patch one, two or three off or forgot to apply a new patch after the 7-day break, however we can look at the effects of the and as they work in a very similar way. If I forget to apply the new patch after the 7-day break. Up to nine days after the last patch (48 hours after the 7-day break) – you will still be protected providing you wore the previous three patches correctly. Apply your first patch of the month as soon as possible.
This means your usual change dates have been altered slightly. After nine days after the last Evra patch – you will NOT be protected and will need to use additional barrier contraception for a further seven days. Your usual change dates are now altered, and continue the three contraceptive patches as usual.
If you don't use further protection, you will need to consider. For further help on obtaining one of two emergency pills, head to our Morning After Pill page. What to do if it falls off The contraceptive patch is a sticky blighter that should stay on come rain or shine.
This includes washing, swimming, exercising and all those under this umbrella. However, here's what you can do if it comes off: Less than 48 hours – Stick your patch back on as soon as possible if it is still sticky. If it's lost it's stickiness, throw away and apply a new patch. Don't try to salvage with a plaster or tape. Change your patch on the normal day. More than 48 hours – You may not be protected against pregnancy during this period so you will need to use additional barrier protection such as condoms for seven days after. Still apply a new patch as soon as possible.
This will alter your usual change dates. What dosages are available for Evra? Some women experience side effects whilst taking the contraceptive patch. Like all contraception, side effects are rare and tend to be temporary, especially when starting a new medication. Common side effects that may be experienced when first using the treatment include:.
Headaches, breast tenderness, nausea, mood changes or light irregular bleeding Rare sides effects of the contraceptive patch include:. Vision or speech impairment, jaundice, breathlessness and chest pain Contrary to popular belief, the patch will not make you gain weight. But you must ensure that the change in hormones do not affect eating habits negatively. If you do experience any of adverse symptoms, you should always seek further medical advice from your GP. It is also very essential that you inform your doctor or health care provider before using the Evra patch, as research as shown it to slightly increase the risk of blood clots in women compared to the the combined pill. For this reason, the FDA have provided a warning on the label to ensure those using it understand the risks and take the correct precautions.
What are the interactions/precautions when using Evra? For most women the Evra patch is a safe contraceptive, however, there are some scenarios that make it unsuitable.
Sorry I’ve been away for a while. I wasn’t planning on continuing this blog but I’ve been resurrected due to recent, disturbing news: according to POPCOM, CNN also reports that. What does this mean for us?.
No more regular birth control that’s. No more pills to regulate Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) What are the options left? How do we deal with this?
I’ve been trying to figure it out. Off the top of my head:. Condoms. There seems to be a nice little loophole here; since it’s non-hormonal, it’s not covered. Herbal alternatives?
I will really need to look into this. Literally smuggling contraception into the country, thus opening up a black market. Abstinence. More on this as it develops. Let’s hope the Supreme Court resolves this.
I’ll be over at [email protected] if anyone needs me. Taking off once again from, today we shall deal with two FAQs: “Am I pregnant?” and “When can I take a pregnancy test?” But before that, I just want to say for the record that I’m a local childfree blogger and earth-bound goddess, not:. A psychologist. A psychiatrist. An actual medical professional. Your mother. The fetus whisperer While I can virtually hold your hand and respond to your comments and e-mails, you guys, your anxiety is off the charts sometimes so you ask questions that in no way I can actually answer.
In all seriousness if you do need a psychologist,. Also, if you need a fetus whisperer to figure out if you’re pregnant, sorry, even an earth-bound goddess/ the internet has limited powers. ECP Supplementary FAQs! Are you pregnant? I honestly can’t know this. And if you took ECP, here’s the thing: We can’t know if it worked until you get your period or take a pregnancy test. There are a lot of factors that go into this such as:.
Where you are in your cycle. What contraceptives you took. How often you’ve taken ECP.
When the last time you took ECP was So there’s really just no way of knowing immediately after taking ECP that it worked. You’re probably fretting about the withdrawal bleeding That’s another FAQ, actually. Can your withdrawal bleeding coincide with your real period?
I don’t think so. Withdrawal bleeding: your body coming off the shock hormones. The ECP prevents you from ovulating, thus screwing up your cycle.
You’re definitely not shedding uterine lining at this point. Also note that some people don’t get withdrawal bleeding. It depends on how your body processes these things. Actual period: You’re shedding your uterine lining.
Withdrawal bleeding is actually a part of so I’d be inclined to say that the answer to this FAQ is no. For more on this, please read When can I take a pregnancy test?. The day you miss your period. Three weeks after unprotected intercourse. if you need to read more about this Please read the other FAQs in the ECP post clearly before commenting.
I think I covered most things already. If there’s a question I haven’t covered, feel free to tell me! Thanks and stay safe. This question has been asked so many times in so many places that it deserves its own post. So here’s a definitive answer that I will link back to henceforth. Important note before you proceed: I have gotten reddit feedback that this is a “horrible two-faced article,” and that it says “let’s break the rules whenever you can like our politicians,” but let me ask you this: do you think someone would get a pill without a prescription just for fun?
That someone would risk physical and emotional harm just because? That they, like politicians, will somehow profit from this?
I will tell you right now that that’s not how it works. Contraception is not a want, it is a real medical need.
A woman needs the pill for one reason or another, and there are real barriers to getting a prescription. Sometimes your OB-GYNE won’t prescribe you one because they disagree with contraception. Sometimes your religious convictions, or the religious convictions of those around you, prevent you from seeking professional help. Sometimes women can’t even afford to have the consultation. That’s the reality in this country and we have to deal with it head on. My point is, it’s not my place to judge, and it isn’t your place either.
Other songs from Pure include the airy “Wuthering Heights” and a few Christmas classics tucked within (“Silent Night, Holy Night,” “Away in a Manger”) amidst a collection of well selected songs. Her previously mentioned Winter Magic was a departure in depth by comparison, yet it served to open a new door with the 'by now' recognition that Miss Westenra could mold her voice like putty to achieve the sound that she wanted. (The Christmas tracks are found on the two-CD UK Special Edition). Hayley westenra paradiso rarity. Her subsequent albums, Odyssey (2005), with its split between classical and pop tracks (likely in an effort to provide crossover appeal), and the more exploratory Treasure (2007), reveal a growing talent that will someday be known to everyone.
People ask, I give the information. I caution as much as I can, then I leave the choice up to them. Now, on to the answer! Yes you need a prescription to get the pills. But you can also get one without a prescription.
Let me explain. Technically, you need a prescription because that would be the responsible thing to do. Go to an OB-GYNE, get a check up, a pap smear maybe, a TVS, discuss your contraceptive options, then get a prescription for the type of pill that suits you best. That’s the ideal scenario. I encourage you to get a prescription. Birth control is a drug, and you need professional guidance. It’s also better to have someone to talk to about side effects if there are any.
Read post to have a better idea of what you’re getting into. However, if for some reason you can’t go to an OB-GYNE, you can still get one. The following advice is especially intended for those who need the pills as (ECP), not for those who need it as regular birth control.
Remember, from time of unprotected contact or failed barrier contraceptive, a woman has only 120 hours to take the ECP, with the chances of it being effective decreasing by the minute. Walk up to the pharmacy and say you need a pack of Trust.
![]()
If they ask you for a prescription, say you don’t have it with you, but that you’ve been using it for years. Wear mature clothing if you look young. If you have something approximating a wedding ring, wear it. Don’t act nervous or flustered, be completely confident like you’re just buying Biogesic. If you can get your hands on an empty pill pack to use as evidence that you’ve been using it, bring it. Download running man eps 363. Approach male clerks for best results — they’re less likely to ask questions.
Go to Mercury Drug or Generics Pharmacy, not Watsons. Most of the time, they’ll believe you and give you the pill.
Canon manor gas fire manuals. Jan 5, 2018 - Canon Manor Gas Fire Manual. You'll never get a Job if you don't have a Good Answer to this frequently asked job interview question! Cannon Caress gas fire manual I am looking for a user manual for a Cannon Caress gas fire, G C No 3213281. Any idea where I might find one? Yes go to ths. Jun 17, 2012 - Hi there, Save hours of searching online or wasting money on unnecessary repairs by talking to a 6YA Expert who can help you resolve this.
I’ve only been asked to show my prescription maybe thrice since 2012. If they don’t sell it to you, move on to the next one. Repeat until you have the pills. Again, unless there are special circumstances like the need for ECP, I encourage you to go to an OB-GYNE. If you can’t or don’t want to then I’d rather give you the information on how to get the pills than end up with an unplanned pregnancy. None of us would need to be creative like this if we had ready access to reproductive health devices and a social system that encouraged rather than shamed young people who take responsibility towards their reproductive health. I recognize that it’s not your fault this country has a stupid attitude towards reproductive health, and wish you good luck on your course of action.
: Updating this post to say that Nordette is back on the market! I got word that Nordette has been phased out. Fret not, here’s a list of alternatives! Here’s the list of alternatives, in case you can’t get Nordette. Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later: Femenal, Nordiol Take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later: Charlize, Lady, Rigevidon 21 + 7, Seif, Trust Pills Source: As I’ve been feeling like people aren’t reading before commenting on this post, I’ve taken the liberty of pasting the content below and updating the FAQs.
READthe FAQs before asking, because of the most of the questions I’m still getting are already answered there. Thank you and be safe! — Emergency Contraception 101 So you had unprotected intercourse. You shouldn’t have, but you did. And now here we are! Fret not, you can fix this.
You can use emergency contraception, a.k.a Plan B or the Morning After pill. Here’s What You Do.
Ensure that it has only been 120 hours since your last unprotected intercourse. The closer you are to the zero hour, the better. Buy a pack of birth control pills. They usually come in a 21-pill pack and the active ingredients are ethinyl estradiol (30 mcg) and levonorgestrel (150 mcg). If you’re in the Philippines, Mercury Drugstore has this for less than 200 PHP.
If you can’t get Nordette, see list of alternatives at the top of the page. Take 4 active pills at once. Wait 12 hours, document your side effects just in case. Take 4 more active pills. Get yourself to an OB-GYNE sometime this week to discuss more stable birth control methods because this is not healthy. Rules, Actual Rules (New Section!).
Take it in at most 120 hours. See FAQ item 1. If you vomit within three hours after taking a dose, retake.
See FAQ item 10. Do NOT have unprotected intercourse in the week after taking ECP.
Where Can I Buy Birth Control Sponge
See FAQ item 16. Notes on Pills. If the pack you got has 28 pills instead of 21, that’s fine. Each pack has 21 active pills and 7 placebo or reminder pills. Take the active pills.
The active ingredient you’re really going for is the, not the ethinyl estradiol. Technically, any pill that gives you a total of 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel (0.75 mg doses 12 hours apart) will do. Notes on Asking Me Questions. READ THE FAQs. READ THE FAQs.
READ THE FAQs. READ THE FAQs. READ THE FAQs. READ THE FAQs. READ THE FAQs. If you must send me a message, e-mail me at childfreefilipina at gmail.com because I don’t get to check this account at all. READ THE FAQs.
Seriously, if you send me a message asking me about something already in the FAQs, I will respond with READ THE FAQs. READ THE FAQs. Side Effects As usual, it depends on the person. Include nausea, vomiting, withdrawal bleeding, bloating, cramps, and mood swings. This is because of the intense hormonal spike that you induced.
So hopefully if you do this, you do it just this once. FAQs I am taking off from where a ton of readers left their comments.
Is it still effective after 120 hours? Some sources say you can go up to 150 hours. After that I guess it would just be a matter of luck. Will they ask me for a prescription? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Depends on the Mercury Drugstore branch attendees. You either go to every branch until someone sells you a pack, or you lie and say you left your prescription at home but you have been using it for a while. How many times can I use this method? Ideally, never. It screws with your hormones, and after all those side effects I think you wouldn’t want to do this more than once.
But I bought the pack and it says take one a day for 21 days! Yes, that’s how we normally take the pill. You’re doing the emergency route. Think of it as one teaspoon of sugar in your coffee on a normal day vs.
Four teaspoons of sugar in a liter of water because you have gastroenteritis. Will I die? Extremely unlikely, unless you’re really dodgy on the heart. In which case, go to your OB-GYNE!. What if I’m too scared of the side effects you talked about? Well then you’re just going to have to deal with the side effects of being pregnant which, surprise, are exactly the same! With the very small difference that you have to take care of a child for the next 18 years.
If it doesn’t work and I get pregnant, will it affect the baby? No, it’s just hormones.
When you take it, you basically have the hormones of four pregnant women in you. Crazy side effects, but won’t cause birth defects. What if I’m too ashamed to buy the pills?
Get one of your more adventurous friends to buy it for you, or just suck it up because if you’re too ashamed to buy pills then good luck dealing with the social stigma of an unintended pregnancy. What if I’m not experiencing any side effects?! That is some superhuman strength right there I tell you.
Just be calm and take a pregnancy test next month. Do I need to retake it if I vomit? “If you vomit within three hours of taking the ECP, you should see your pharmacist, doctor, or Family Planning clinic for advice and further tablets.”. Can I take this while on my period? Yeah okay but since you’re already on your period and if you had intercourse just 120 hours ago, your says you’re safe. How will I know it worked???
I know you’re worried AF, but besides taking a pregnancy test or waiting for your period, I don’t know. And if the digging I’ve done on the subject on the internet is to be trusted, nobody does either. There are a lot of factors that go into this (where you are in your cycle, what contraceptives you took, etc) so there’s really just no way of knowing immediately after taking ECP that it worked.
Go ask if you want more people to weigh in on that, but users there agreed that we just. Yes it’s a hassle but I can’t do anything about this. See also: FAQ item 13. It’s been several days since I took ECP, and now I’m bleeding, and it’s darker and less heavy than my normal period. What is happening? This is the I mentioned earlier. It’s a fake period, and is NOT the start of your actual period.
Why does it happen? Because you ingested a ton of hormones and when those hormones leave your body, you go through withdrawal just like with any other drug. With normal pill users, the withdrawal bleed happens on day 24 or day 25. Basically, pill users don’t ever actually menstruate, it’s all fake. If you want to learn the nitty-gritty of pill use. As for your period, you’re going to have to be patient; it may be delayed due to the ECP. Just stay calm.
If you want to be absolutely sure, then take a pregnancy test a month after the unprotected intercourse happened. Can I take more than 8?
![]()
Put that pill pack down, you’re going to be fine. I haven’t taken any pills before, can I do this? To avoid more of these episodes.
Can I have unprotected sex right after I do this emergency procedure? Let’s put it this way You left the stove on and the house almost burned down. You managed to put out the fire. And you’re going to leave the stove on again? “ECPs are only good to protect against one act of unprotected sex. They work by blocking ovulation, but only for a few days, so if you take them and have unprotected sex again afterwards, of a pregnancy.
If you have unprotected sex again within a few days of taking the pills, there will be more sperm waiting in the fallopian tubes when the egg is eventually released.” ( 2014). What do I do with the 13 leftover pills? Keep it in your purse if you think you’ll need it again. (New!) What happens if I take the second dose after 24 or 32 or whatever not-12-hours?
Girl IDK don’t do it, the instructions say 12, do it in 12, k?. (New!) When can I start taking pills regularly? After you’ve verified that you’re not pregnant. Go see an OB-GYNE if you can! Other Methods. You can try to procure the real, just make sure that you’re getting it from a supplier you can trust.
This supplier quotes it at 3000 – 3500 PHP. I have heard that but I do not endorse it.
I don’t know anyone who’s done this. You can get a copper IUD inserted by your OB-GYNE within 120 hours and it will also work as emergency contraception. Cost is 2500 PHP and up, and you can keep using it for the next 12 years. According to the, it’s 99.92% effective.
If you’re considering it. Not for the squeamish! So you had unprotected intercourse. You shouldn’t have, but you did. And now here we are!
Fret not, you can fix this. You can use emergency contraception, a.k.a Plan B or the Morning After pill.
Here’s What You Do. Ensure that it has only been 120 hours since your last unprotected intercourse.
The closer you are to the zero hour, the better. Buy a pack of birth control pills. They usually come in a 21-pill pack and the active ingredients are ethinyl estradiol (30 mcg) and levonorgestrel (150 mcg). If you’re in the Philippines, Mercury Drugstore has this for less than 200 PHP.
Take 4 active pills at once. Wait 12 hours, document your side effects just in case. Take 4 more active pills. Get yourself to an OB-GYNE sometime this week to discuss more stable birth control methods because this is not healthy. Rules, Actual Rules (New Section!). Take it in at most 120 hours.
See FAQ item 1. If you vomit within three hours after taking a dose, retake. See FAQ item 10. Do NOT have unprotected intercourse in the week after taking ECP. See FAQ item 15. Notes. If the pack you got has 28 pills instead of 21, that’s fine.
Each pack has 21 active pills and 7 placebo or reminder pills. Take the active pills. The active ingredient you’re really going for is the, not the ethinyl estradiol. Technically, any pill that gives you a total of 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel (0.75 mg doses 12 hours apart) will do.
Where Can I Buy Birth Control Patch In The Philippines
Side Effects As usual, it depends on the person. Include nausea, vomiting, withdrawal bleeding, bloating, cramps, and mood swings. This is because of the intense hormonal spike that you induced. So hopefully if you do this, you do it just this once.
FAQs I am taking off from where a ton of readers left their comments. Is it still effective after 120 hours? Some sources say you can go up to 150 hours.
After that I guess it would just be a matter of luck. Will they ask me for a prescription?
Maybe yes, maybe no. Depends on the Mercury Drugstore branch attendees. You either go to every branch until someone sells you a pack, or you lie and say you left your prescription at home but you have been using it for a while.
How many times can I use this method? Ideally, never. It screws with your hormones, and after all those side effects I think you wouldn’t want to do this more than once. But I bought the pack and it says take one a day for 21 days! Yes, that’s how we normally take the pill.
You’re doing the emergency route. Think of it as one teaspoon of sugar in your coffee on a normal day vs. Four teaspoons of sugar in a liter of water because you have gastroenteritis. Will I die? Extremely unlikely, unless you’re really dodgy on the heart. In which case, go to your OB-GYNE!.
What if I’m too scared of the side effects you talked about? Well then you’re just going to have to deal with the side effects of being pregnant which, surprise, are exactly the same! With the very small difference that you have to take care of a child for the next 18 years. If it doesn’t work and I get pregnant, will it affect the baby? No, it’s just hormones. When you take it, you basically have the hormones of four pregnant women in you.
Crazy side effects, but won’t cause birth defects. What if I’m too ashamed to buy the pills?
Get one of your more adventurous friends to buy it for you, or just suck it up because if you’re too ashamed to buy pills then good luck dealing with the social stigma of an unintended pregnancy. What if I’m not experiencing any side effects?! That is some superhuman strength right there I tell you. Just be calm and take a pregnancy test next month. Do I need to retake it if I vomit? “If you vomit within three hours of taking the ECP, you should see your pharmacist, doctor, or Family Planning clinic for advice and further tablets.”. Can I take this while on my period?
Yeah okay but since you’re already on your period and if you had intercourse just 120 hours ago, your says you’re safe. How will I know it worked??? I know you’re worried AF, but besides taking a pregnancy test or waiting for your period, I don’t know. And if the digging I’ve done on the subject on the internet is to be trusted, nobody does either.
There are a lot of factors that go into this (where you are in your cycle, what contraceptives you took, etc) so there’s really just no way of knowing immediately after taking ECP that it worked. Go ask if you want more people to weigh in on that, but users there agreed that we just. Yes it’s a hassle but I can’t do anything about this.
See also: FAQ item 13. It’s been several days since I took ECP, and now I’m bleeding, and it’s darker and less heavy than my normal period.
What is happening? This is the I mentioned earlier. It’s a fake period, and is NOT the start of your actual period. Why does it happen? Because you ingested a ton of hormones and when those hormones leave your body, you go through withdrawal just like with any other drug. With normal pill users, the withdrawal bleed happens on day 24 or day 25. Basically, pill users don’t ever actually menstruate, it’s all fake.
If you want to learn the nitty-gritty of pill use. As for your period, you’re going to have to be patient; it may be delayed due to the ECP. Just stay calm.
If you want to be absolutely sure, then take a pregnancy test a month after the unprotected intercourse happened. Can I take more than 8? Put that pill pack down, you’re going to be fine. I haven’t taken any pills before, can I do this? To avoid more of these episodes. Can I have unprotected sex right after I do this emergency procedure?
Let’s put it this way You left the stove on and the house almost burned down. You managed to put out the fire. And you’re going to leave the stove on again? “ECPs are only good to protect against one act of unprotected sex.
They work by blocking ovulation, but only for a few days, so if you take them and have unprotected sex again afterwards, of a pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex again within a few days of taking the pills, there will be more sperm waiting in the fallopian tubes when the egg is eventually released.” ( 2014). What do I do with the 13 leftover pills?
Keep it in your purse if you think you’ll need it again. Other Methods. You can try to procure the real, just make sure that you’re getting it from a supplier you can trust. This supplier quotes it at 3000 – 3500 PHP. I have heard that but I do not endorse it. I don’t know anyone who’s done this.
You can get a copper IUD inserted by your OB-GYNE within 120 hours and it will also work as emergency contraception. Cost is 2500 PHP and up, and you can keep using it for the next 12 years. According to the, it’s 99.92% effective. If you’re considering it. Not for the squeamish!
Some Facts Before We Get Started. The birth control (BC) pill is 91% effective on its own. The US Department of health has if you want to know more. After 1 year of typical use, 9 in 100 women on the BC pill will fall pregnant. Over 10 years of typical use, that number rises to 61 in 100. Check out for more on that.
There are two basic types: combination and mini-pill. The latter has a lower dosage than the former.
Read about that. It works by: (1) tricking your body into thinking you’re pregnant, thereby stopping you from releasing egg cells, (2) thickening the cervical mucus so the sperm can’t enter, and (3) keeping the lining of your uterus thin so that a fertilized egg can’t attach to it even if it gets through the first two mechanisms. For more on that.
You can get BC pills for as low as 45 PHP at any drugstore so it’s one of the cheapest forms of hormonal BC. Standard PSA: They do not protect you from STDs.
Trial and Error Phase Birth control pills are definitely not for everyone. Hormones can do all sorts of strange things to your body and they can aggravate existing medical conditions. That’s why it’s important to consult an OB-GYNE before you start taking them. The doctor will be the best person to recommend a birth control method for you, and if you decide on BC pills, you will go through a trial-and-error phase with their advice. You can report any and all side effects to them to make sure that you’re okay. That said, I’ll tell you about how I didn’t consult before taking pills.
Back when I was 21, I figured it would be a great time to experiment with pills. I was always obsessed with birth control because I’m tokophobic — we’ll talk more about that in a later post. Before work one day I just went ahead and bought a pack of Trust pills from a drugstore. No, they didn’t ask me for a prescription.
by Pond’s Chemical is a combination pill with 21 ochreous tablets (ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg, levonorgestrel 125 mcg) and 7 brown tablets (ferrous fumarate 75 mg equivalent to 24.75 mg elemental iron). It’s less than 45 PHP at Mercury, a little less at TGP or other generic drugstores. Now this first month with the pill coincided with a very difficult time in my life so I honestly can’t tell you if the pill somehow affected how depressed I was. I’ve read that the pill can cause mood swings in some women, but I can’t give you any real feedback on this.
I didn’t gain any weight, I know that’s what some people are afraid of. This is different for everyone though. I took it at 9 am each day, which was easy to remember because that’s when I get to work.
The thing with Trust those first few months was that at day 23, when the hormones were leaving my body and I was about to menstruate, I would get these crippling headaches. But that was fine by me, since I knew those were just withdrawal symptoms. At around the third month, I noticed that my stomach was a bit bloated.
I weigh less than 100 pounds, even the slightest bloating is very obvious. This was when I went to the OB-GYNE. The OB, we’ll call her Dr. I, spent a good five minutes gently scolding me about my little experiment.
I completely agree, I shouldn’t have done that. Then she gave me a prescription for a pill with a different dosage called Althea, to see if this would work better.
Remember, finding the right BC pill for you can be a long process. is a combination pill (21 pills with cyproterone acetate 2 mg, ethinyl estradiol 35 mcg).
No 7 reminder pills. IIRC it costs around 350 PHP at Mercury. Althea did not work for me, at all. I felt worse than when I was on Trust and this wasn’t just bloating. I had joint pains and I still don’t even know how that’s possible. After a month, I went back to Dr.
I and got a different prescription, this time for Blush. It worked perfectly. I got lighter periods, no withdrawal headaches, and basically it was like I wasn’t even taking pills at all. Blush has the exact same formulation as Trust, but it’s manufactured by Cyno Sure Healthcare. IIRC it costs around 150 at Mercury.
Good things never last. Blush got pulled out for low sales and after yelling why, why at the clerk at the Mercury counter, they gave me the closest thing Yes, Trust. So I went back to it, and for some reason, the side effects were gone too. I’ve been on this one for over two years and we’re getting along well.
Here are three more pills that have worked for people I know. by Dyna Drug (mini-pill type): norethisterone 400 mcg, ethinyl estradiol 35 mcg. You have to be more careful with the time when it comes to mini-pills by the way. by Pfizer (combination type): ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg, levonorgestrel 150 mcg. Nordette can be used as a Plan B (emergency contraception). Read about how to do that.
Make sure to do it within 120 hours though. by Seville Pharmaceuticals (combination type): gestodene 75 mcg, ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg.
Weight Gain, Acne, and Other Things You May Have Heard Of Short answer: IT DEPENDS. It depends on your metabolism before you started taking the pills, on your diet, on how much water you drink everyday, how prone you are to breakouts, etcetera. In my case, no weight gain, no acne breakout.
As I said, the biggest side effect I had was bloating during Trust and joint pains during Althea. There was also the small matter of my ( looks around uncomfortably) mammary glands feeling firmer during certain times of the month. Long answer: or learn more about. Notes on Menstruation When you’re using the pill correctly, the lining of your uterus doesn’t thicken and there’s basically no need for you to menstruate at all. Every period you will have while on the pill is just triggered by the drop in hormones.
There’s an interesting history as to why pills were made to mimic the natural cycle. It’s related to the Catholic Church and their stance on contraception, which you can read about. So now that we know that the period is “fake”, what are the implications on your monthly period?. You know exactly when it’s gonna happen: 3 – 5 days after you take your last active pill. If it doesn’t happen, stay calm.
Sometimes it normal for a fake period to skip while the body is adjusting. If you’re the paranoid kind, take a p-test immediately. The active ingredients in birth control pills don’t affect the test.
Periods are much, much lighter because you’re not shedding your uterine lining. Goodbye heavy flow pads!. You can opt to menstruate anywhere from once a month to Well, never.
You can also by a few days if it’s going to interfere with, say, a swimming trip. Read and talk to your OB-GYNE about it. I also have to mention one other thing, which is. It’s basically unscheduled bleeding, which can happen for a number of reasons. You could be adjusting to the pill, which is perfectly normal, or you could be drinking medicine that is disrupting your hormone levels. Personally though, I’ve never experienced this. “Will they ask me for a prescription?” Some drugstores do, some don’t.
Those that do will ask you either, “May prescription po ba?” or if you say you don’t have it with you, “Ginagamit na po ba dati?” You can always lie, that’s up to you, no judgment. But you should have a prescription because like I said this is tricky stuff. If you can’t go to an OB-GYNE because you can’t afford it or you just don’t like doctors for some reason, you can probably still get a pack. Of course they won’t sell it to you over-the-counter if you’re like twelve or something, and in which case girl you and I need to talk.
Tips for Taking the Pill. Same time, every day. Same time, every day.
Same time, every day. Make a phone alarm. Synchronize with friends or officemates who take pills so you can check on each other.
I don’t know how, but make sure that you take it at the same time, every day. This is a matter of life and death people!. Missed a pill? Check out guide. Basically, if you missed one, take it as soon as you remember and carry on as usual.
It gets more complicated the more you miss. Do not go for the full 7 days without hormones. That’s one big reason why pills fail.
Whether you have the iron supplements or not, go without hormones for 5 days only. Day 21 is the last hormone pill, you menstruate on day 24 or 25, you take the next one on day 27. Use back up methods for the first month.
I know they usually say back up is only needed for a week, but I feel like that’s tempting fate. The more methods you use, the better it works. So obviously, you’d be a lot less likely to fall pregnant if you use condoms and withdrawal at the same time. Or heap spermicides on top of that!. For condoms, 86 in 100 women fall pregnant over ten years of typical use. For withdrawal, that’s 92 in 100 over ten years. Is my favorite resource for this because it shows the difference between typical and perfect use during clinical trials.
You can’t use calendar or basal body temperature methods along with the pills because if you’re doing it right, you’re not ovulating. Go to your OB-GYNE and get a pap smear and a TVS once a year just to make sure everything’s right. If for some reason you don’t want people to know that you’re sexually active but they interrogate you about your pills, you can say that you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome , some sort of hormonal imbalance, severe dysmenorrhea, or you’re using it to treat acne. Again, it’s your life so no judgment. Other Hormonal BC Methods, with CDC Stats The pill is the only one you have to take at the same time every single day.
That’s why a lot of people don’t like it. If you’re one of these people, there are others you can check out. Injectables (ex. Depo-Provera), repeat injections every 3 months (94% effective). Patch (ex. Evra Patch), stick one on for a week every 3 weeks (91% effective).
Ring (ex. NuvaRing), leave in place for 3 weeks at a time (91% effective). Diaphragm, insert before intercourse; replace device every two years (82% effective). Hormonal IUD (ex. Mirena), requires minor procedure at the OB-GYNE; replace after 5 years (99.8% effective) Hope this helps. Feel free to leave comments, and I’m definitely open to suggestions for other topics to discuss.
Stay safe everyone!
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |