Birth control pills, or oral contraceptive drugs, are medications used to prevent pregnancy. By sending negative feedback to your brain and interfering with the function of the womb, these pills can be very effective in preventing conception.
Types of Birth Control
Here are the most common types of oral contraceptives:
Combination pills
Combination pills contain synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone.
The different types of combination pills include:
Monophasic pills – these pills are used in one-month cycles, where each active pill provides you with the same dose of hormones. The last week of the month involves taking inactive pills, allowing you to have your period.
Multiphasic pills – these pills provide different levels of hormones during a cycle that lasts 30 days. The last week of the month involves taking inactive pills, allowing you to have your period.
Extended-cycle pills – the cycles of this type of pill last for 13 weeks. After taking the active pills for 12 weeks, you will start taking inactive pills during the last week.
Different brand names of combination pills include:
- Kariva
- Levora
- Loestrin
- Natazia
- Azurette
- Beyaz
- Enpresse
- Estrostep Fe
- Ocella
- Low-Ogestrel
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen
- Seasonale
- Velivet
- Yasmin
- Yaz
Progestin-only pills
Progestin-only pills only contain progesterone. You may also hear people referring to this pill as a minipill. This type of pill is ideal for women who cannot take estrogen hormones due to health concerns.
Unlike combined pills, all progesterone-based pills are active, which means you may not have your period while taking this contraceptive method.
Examples of progestin-only brand names include:
- Camila
- Errin
- Heather
- Jencycla
- Nor-QD
If you believe you need birth control, telemedicine makes it possible for you to get the medicine you deserve. Schedule a virtual consultation with a Telakai Health online Provider and get on the road to recovery. Schedule your visit today.
