Little Pink Pill No More?
Women who wish to control their risk of pregnancy can do so with birth control pills, also known simply as “the Pill.” Formulations and forms vary, but they all work by altering a woman’s ovulation. The FDA approved the first birth control pill for women in 1960, and the pharmaceutical companies have been hard at work since to improve the offerings.
If you or your partner are not ready to seek a permanent solution, you will enter the world of “failure rates” and safe sex, or you will have to abstain from sex entirely. Remembering to take a pill each day can be a deal-breaker for a flighty teenager, let alone for an adult with a hectic schedule. Oral contraceptives, patches and shots have similar failure rates, but knowing which is right for you will depend on your body. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but if you can live with a 99% success rate, these methods do offer a temporary solution.
Depo-Provera and Lunelle are a pain in the butt, literally, but you can request to have the shot in the arm or other large muscle instead. A hormone injection may work better with your lifestyle than the rigor of taking a daily pill. The shot is given once a month for Lunelle or every three months for Depo-Provera. Depo-Provera is progestin-only and Lunelle is an injectable form of estrogen and progestin. Both have the same result.
Similarly, there are two kinds of pills taken daily to prevent risk of pregnancy: the combination, a formulation which combines estrogen and progesterone, and the progesterone-only pill. Consult with your clinician to find out which formulation is appropriate for you. The progesterone-only pills must be taken at the same time every day. Clinical studies have shown that women who are age 35 or older are not good candidates for the combination pill; however, women of this age stand a better chance of seeking a permanent solution from their doctor, regardless of marital status, since regret rates drop significantly with age.
More than 60 name brand birth control pills for women are currently on the market in the U.S., compared to about 20 available in Canada. Ovcon 35 is notable as it is a chewable option for those who have trouble swallowing pills. Seasonale is a relatively new offering that is a daily pill taken on a 91-day regimen. It works to reduce the frequency of menstrual cycles to four per year.
The “day-after” pill is designed to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. This pill creates a moral dilemma for some, as fertilization may have taken place. Critics have asked, “If someone is spontaneous enough to do the initial act with their body, are they really going to think to get this prescription in advance?” The restricted access to this product in some pharmacies limits its usefulness. The two offerings that are currently available In the U.S. are Preven and Plan B.
Birth control for men is in development in Oslo, Norway. The initial approach to male birth control was to reduce sperm count, which proved a daunting task given the number of “swimmers” produced by the average male. A major breakthrough was made in 2005, when a researcher at The University of Massachusetts Medical School discovered a protein that controls a sperm’s motility. The university has teamed up with Norwegian company, SpermaTech, to design a male birth control using this new knowledge. Clinical trials continue, with the eventual goal being FDA approval. Conceivably, men will also have the option to take hormones orally, by injection, or in a patch form.
In the meantime, women averse to the shot and the Pill may also opt for the patch, Ortho Evra is one offering. It is similar in formulation to the combination pill. A new patch is worn every week for three weeks and no patch on the fourth week to allow a menstrual cycle.
The government publishes a useful site listing all FDA approved birth control options available to American men and women, including devices and surgical procedures, and lays out what you need to know about every option in plain English, including information like:
- FDA approval date
- failure rate
- a brief description
- manufacturer’s brand name
- how to get it
- whether or not it protects against STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
- side effects
If you are going to speak to your nurse practitioner or doctor about a new prescription, you may want to visit this official government site and the manufacturer’s site before you make the appointment. Information is power: be informed, have your questions ready, and take control of your fertility.
Copyright . Published 1 March 2007 in Features.
Reader comments
Commenting is closed for this article.
Great magazine – I found it through the link in the CF forum (where I lurk but don’t usually post.) Just wondering on the over 35 statistic – I’ve heard different things about whether the pill is problematic for all 35+ year old women or just women who are over 35 and smoke. Just wondering because I recently turned 35, am pretty happy with the pill overall, and my gyno said that she will be on the pill until she is menopausal.
permalink — 1 March 2007, 12:53
Robin – Your gyno is keeping all her options open. I wonder if she is already a parent?
CFzine gals – Great to be able to read and leave comments here. Bravo for this new addition!
permalink — 2 March 2007, 10:17
Plan B prevents fertilization and prevents ovulation (if it hasn’t already occured). Please make sure your information is accurate — there is enough misinformation out there on this valuable emergency option. There should be no moral dilemma to emergency contraception — regardless of your beliefs, no fertilizaton means no “life.”
permalink — 8 March 2007, 08:26
you forgot the IUD – 40% of women in europe use it. americans need to get on the bandwagon with this highly effective form of birth control.
permalink — 13 March 2007, 16:53
MK – Thanks for the clarification. I missed this fact in my research. As you point out, this makes all the difference to hard core “pro lifers”. Of course, there are others who are simply against preventing pregnancy and the childfree choice altogether.
l – not forgotten, just couldn’t do devices and The Pill all in one article!
permalink — 20 March 2007, 12:20