9 Birth Control Pills: Which is Right For Me?

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One day you may plan to get pregnant, but at this time, it is not the best idea for you because you are clearly not ready. And, since you recognize that, that is a smart move. That means you are probably looking into the best birth control options. You may have considered using an IUD, or even getting Depo shots.

However, with an IUD, there is that risk of it slipping out, and with the Depo shot, it can take you well over a year to get pregnant after going off of it. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here

With that said, you want to use a birth control method that has a high success rate, but at the same time, you want to use a method that will allow you to get pregnant not long after discontinuation when the time is right.

This is why the best option for you is to go on a birth control pill. However, you may not know which brand is the right one for you. And, before we go into those details, let’s talk about how any birth control pill will help stop you from getting pregnant.

What Does The Birth Control Pill Do?

Birth control pills have hormones that become released into your system that will prevent pregnancy from happening. However, they all have to be taken at the same time everyday in order for them to be effective. And, there are two types of pills as one contains only progestin (synthetic progesterone), and the other type has both progestin and estrogen. Even though these pills have different compositions, they do work in a similar way.

The-Chemistry-of-Oral-Contraceptives

Their job is to make cervical mucus extra thick in order to prevent sperm from penetrating the egg, and they also cause the lining of the womb to be quite thin which would make implantation of an embryo almost impossible.

However, the pills that only have progestin do not always prevent ovulation from happening whereas the combination pills do prevent ovulation from occurring. The pills that only contain progestin are also called the mini pill, but whatever type of pill you decide to take, you must take them at the same time each day in order for them to be effective.

And, you may be wondering why you should only take the mini pill instead of the combination pill. Those who are suitable for taking the mini pill instead of the combination pill must have any of the following:

  • You are overweight
  • You are diabetic
  • You have had a history of blood clots or are at a high risk of developing blood clots in the legs or in the lungs
  • You have hypertension and/or a history of having a stroke
  • You have high cholesterol
  • You have had a history of gallbladder or liver disease
  • You have had breast cancer
  • You are taking medications that can have an impact on the effectiveness of the pill
  • You are a smoker or you had quit smoking in less than a year
  • You have had side effects from the combination pill in the past
  • You are 35 or older

If any of these apply to you, then you are much better off with taking a mini pill. And, the side effects of any birth control pill can also be unpleasant. Some of the side effects that you can experience can be fatigue, dizziness, nausea, acne, drastic changes in weight, headaches, and mid-cycle bleeding.

Yet at the same time, some women have not had these side effects that take the pill and ended up reaping benefits instead such as it helping acne to clear up and the reduction of PMS systems. However, you are probably wondering then which pill is likely best to take in your unique situation. Let’s go over the 9 main brands of pills and let’s go over the benefits that come with it as well:

Levlite

This pill contains both ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, and has been known to help reduce the chances of weight gain, headaches, as well as breast soreness. If these issues are a big concern for you, then this is the brand of birth control pills to consider.

Alesse

If you struggle with moodiness on top of weight gain, headaches, and breast soreness, then this brand is the best option for you because Alesse birth control pills help reduce all of that. It also contains ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.

alesse - birth control pills

Loestrin

If you have issues with extreme moodiness, severe menstrual cramps, mid-cycle bleeding, headaches, breast soreness, and are prone to weight gain – Loestrin is the best option for you as it contains norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol. It also can be a good option for those who have endometriosis.

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Levora

This brand of birth control pill is composed of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, and it is ideal for helping ease endometriosis symptoms for sufferers.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

This pill is composed of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, and it is excellent for helping reduce the symptoms of PCOS in sufferers, and this pill is also a treatment for acne as it has been FDA approved for that. It also helps reduce headaches, irritability, and moodiness.

Mircette

 

This desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol combination pill is good for acne reduction, treating breast soreness and extreme menstrual cramps.

Seasonique

This levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol combination is excellent for helping to ease PCOS symptoms in sufferers such as helping with regulating periods, as well as reducing the severity of menstrual cramps, as well as a treatment for PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Yaz

This pill is also composed of both drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, and it has been known to help for the treatment of acne as well as PMDD as it has been approved by the FDA to treat both. It is also good for regulating periods in PCOS patients, as well as in reducing PMS discomfort and bloating. The drospirenone helps reduce water retention as it is a diuretic.

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Yasmin

This drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol combination pill serve the same purpose as Yaz, but it also helps treat mid-cycle bleeding, as well as mood swings and irritability.

 

Bottom Line – Which Birth Control Pills?

Now you know of the top 9 birth control combination pills, and based on the type of complications you have, you can make a more informed decision of which pill to use. However, before you go right ahead and figure out which ones is best, you must talk to your doctor first just in case there may be a better option out there for you.

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Dr. Renee Hanton, MD
Dr. Renee Hanton, MD | ConceiveEasy
Ms. Scott joined ConceiveEasy after working in prenatal obstetrical care for two years in a private practice before being promoted to Director of Nursing. She has a strong interest in women's health with an emphasis on promoting fertility awareness.

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