What are short-term oral contraceptives?

After getting married, many couples are not in a hurry to have children, so they must take protective measures. There are many ways to use contraception, including taking pills and male condoms. Many women choose short-term oral contraceptives to achieve the purpose of contraception, and this method has a high safety factor. So, what are the short-term oral contraceptives? Short-term contraceptives have significant side effects on the human body and should not be taken frequently.

What are oral contraceptives?

Oral contraceptives include female oral contraceptives, topical contraceptives and male oral contraceptives. In real life, it is more common for women to use oral contraceptives for contraception. Female oral contraceptives are also divided into short-acting oral contraceptives, long-term oral contraceptives and rapid-acting oral contraceptives.

Short-acting oral contraceptives:

The mechanism of action is to inhibit ovulation. There are oral contraceptive tablets No. 1, oral contraceptive tablets No. 2 and compound 18A contraceptive pills.

Long-acting oral contraceptives:

Its mechanism of action is to inhibit and change the speed of fertilized eggs. Taking one tablet per month can provide contraception for one month, and it is suitable for couples living together for a long time.

Rapid-acting oral contraceptives:

Also known as the visiting contraceptive pill. Its mechanism of action is mainly to quickly inhibit ovulation, affect sperm penetration and prevent the fertilized egg from implanting. The advantage is that it is not restricted by the menstrual cycle and can be taken whenever you visit relatives.

Side effects of oral contraceptives

1. Side effects of short-term oral contraceptives

(1) Early pregnancy reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness.

(2) Vaginal bleeding during medication. This situation is more common when you miss taking birth control pills.

(3) Decreased menstrual flow or amenorrhea.

(4) A very small number of women have facial pigmentation.

(5) A small number of women experienced a slight increase in weight after taking the medicine.

2. Side effects of long-term oral contraceptive use

(1) Similar to early pregnancy reactions.

(2) Irregular vaginal bleeding during menstruation.

(3) Shortened menstrual cycle.

(4) Excessive or insufficient menstrual flow.

(5) Breast swelling, palpitations, hot flashes, back pain, abdominal pain, etc.

(6) Headache.

(7) Some may have allergic reactions.

(8) Increased vaginal discharge.

3. Side effects of rapid-acting oral contraceptives:

(1) Similar to early pregnancy reactions.

(2) Irregular vaginal bleeding during menstruation.

(3) Amenorrhea.

When to take oral contraceptive pills

1. Short-term oral contraception

The short-acting contraceptives used in China include contraceptive tablets No. 1 and No. 2, compound 18-methylethinylketone short-acting tablets, and oral contraceptive tablets No. 0, 1, and 2. When using, start taking the medicine from the day of menstruation, and start taking the medicine on the fifth day. The best time to take the medicine is before going to bed. Take one tablet a day for 22 consecutive days, which can prevent pregnancy for one month. Menstruation usually comes about 3 days after stopping the medication.

2. Long-term oral contraceptives

Commonly used long-acting contraceptives include: combined 18-methylnorgestrel long-acting oral contraceptive tablets, combined ethinyl estradiol long-acting contraceptive tablets, and combined 16-methylchlormadinone contraceptive tablets.

Compound 18-methylnorgestrel: Take one tablet each on the 5th and 25th day from the day of menstruation. Starting from the date of the second dose, take one tablet every 30 days thereafter.

Combined ethinyl estradiol long-acting contraceptive tablets: The usage is the same as above.

Combined 16-times methylchlormadinone contraceptive tablets: Take one tablet on the fifth day from the day of menstruation, take the second tablet 20 days later, take the third tablet 20 days later, and take one tablet every other month thereafter.