Oral Contraception

The contraceptive pill, known also as the birth control pill is the favored method of contraceptive for women throughout the world thanks to its dependability and ease of use.

The contraceptive pill, known also as the birth control pill is the favored method of contraceptive for women throughout the world thanks to its dependability and ease of use. An estimated 50 to 80 million women are now using daily oral contraception to enjoy a healthy sex life whilst ensuring against pregnancy. When taken as instructed, the Pill has a higher success rate than any other preventative measure, including the use of condoms, an IUD, diaphragm or vaginal ring.

The table below shows data that validates the success rates for chemical and mechanical methods of contraception, when used correctly.

The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP)

The combined oral contraceptive pill, which is often referred to simply as the Pill, made up of an estrogen and a progestin, which are synthetic female hormones. It is taken by mouth as part of a three-week-on, one-week-off schedule, and works in three different ways to prevent pregnancy:

• Stopping the ovaries releasing an egg each month (ovulation)
• Thickening the mucus in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg
• Making the lining of the womb thinner so it a fertilized egg can not nestle there

Popular branded versions of the Pill, that include Yasmin and Yas are currently used by more than 100 million women worldwide including almost 12 million women in America. Contrary to common belief, a woman does not have to be sexually active to justify the use of the Pill as a doctor may prescribe it to ease the severity of other health problems, such as acne and period pain.

Further advantages of using the Pill include:

• Making bleeds regular, lighter and less painful
• Helping with premenstrual symptoms
• Reducing the risk of cancer of the ovary, womb and colon
• Protecting against pelvic inflammatory disease
• Lowering the risk of fibroids, ovarian cysts and breast disease

The Mini-pill (POP)

The mini-Pill is a type of oral contraceptive pill that contains no estrogen, and only a progestin. On occasions it is also known as the progestin-only pill, or POP. Its health risks appear to be less than those of the actual Pill due to the absence of estrogen, which produces side effects in some users. For this reason, the POP is usually recommended to certain groups of women who shouldn't take the Pill or for whom there is a risk factor. These include:

• Women who are breastfeeding
• Diabetics
• Smokers
• Women with increased blood pressure after using the Pill
• Women above 35 years of age

The POP has shown to be slightly less effective than the ordinary Pill, however if this contraceptive is used correctly you will still have over a 97% chance of preventing pregnancy during sex. The mini-Pill offers protection in three ways, by:

• Thickening the secretions round the neck of your womb, thereby making it difficult for the sperm to get through
• Thinning the womb lining so that it is less 'receptive' to the egg
• Occasionally stopping ovulation from happening.

Obtaining oral contraceptive pills at 121doc

Branded oral contraceptive pills are available with a valid doctors prescription should you wish to place an order online. 121doc offers a straightforward three-step process which you can start right away. Select your medication and take a free confidential consultation with one of our resident online doctors. Once the doctor has viewed the information provided they will then make a decision as to whether you are suitable for your chosen brand of pill.

All approved orders are delivered in secure, subtle packaging to your chosen delivery address. There are several ways of getting in touch should you have a query about ordering online. Contact us by phone, email, fax or Live Chat.