Contraceptives containing the progestin, are considered to be completely safe during breast-feeding, provided that the woman has no contraindications to the use of hormonal drugs of this type. On the other hand, the combined contraceptives which contain progestin and estrogen Estrogen - the key to bone health   - Not the best choice for nursing mothers, especially in the first six months after birth.

Estrogen may be the reason that a woman will produce less milk. This applies to all contraceptives, which contain estrogen - among them birth control pills, patches and vaginal rings.

What are progestin-only contraceptive?

The main varieties of progestin-only contraceptives - pills (also called mini-pill), the contraceptive injection Contraceptive injection - used cautiously , Implants and intrauterine devices. Let's talk about each of these type of contraception alone.

Birth control pills

Progestin pill or mini-pill, suitable for nursing mothers, because they contain a very low dose of the hormone. Such tablets do mucus in the cervix more dense and viscous, so that much more difficult to penetrate the sperm into the uterus. They also affect the uterine lining, making it more subtle, and sometimes suppress ovulation Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible? .

Since the period of breast-feeding, especially in the first six months, women are less fertile than usual, if used properly, the effectiveness of progestin-only pill is almost 100%. (Women who do not breastfeed and take the mini-pill, the probability of getting pregnant is 0.5% - on the condition that a woman never misses pills. In typical cases, the risk of pregnancy can be up to 5%).

To minipill were as efficiently as possible, you should take it every day at about the same time. If you arrive late at least three hours for the next two days, you should use a barrier contraceptive or abstain from sex.

Some mothers of young children is extremely difficult to take pills every day at the same time. If you do not rely on your memory, and self-discipline is probably more suited other progestin-only contraceptives.

Contraceptive injections

Progestin contraceptive injections are a good alternative to tablets. They suppress ovulation, and when used properly (that is, if you just make a new injection) their effectiveness is over 99% for women who did not breastfeed. Theoretically, for nursing mothers, these injections are more effective.

The injectable contraceptive drug Depo-Provera is administered into the muscles of the forearm or buttocks. Depo-subQ provera 104 is injected under the skin; This formulation contained less progestin.

The injection can be done during the compulsory visit to the gynecologist six weeks after childbirth; every 12 weeks, you will have to come to the doctor to make the next injection. When using this method of contraception Contraceptive Methods: Ten myths about contraception in the mirror of facts Unlike birth control pills, fertility is not restored as soon as you stop its use. Sometimes a woman is fertile only a year after the last injection has been made. Keep this in mind when choosing a contraceptive.

It is also important to bear in mind that the injection progestin associated with a decrease in bone density; The longer you use this method of contraception, the less dense the bone can become. This process may be irreversible, so the use of progestin-only injection is not suitable for more than two years.

Recent studies have shown that bone density is restored after a woman stops using progestin injections.

Contraceptive implants

Contraceptive implant typically is a small flexible rod that is placed under the skin of the forearm, and continuously releases a small amount of progestin. The effectiveness of the implants more than 99%, the service life of up to several years. Fertility is restored immediately after removal of the implant. However, contraceptive implants can cause irregular menstrual cycles and bleeding, spotting between periods.

Progestin IUD

In contrast to conventional coils, IUDs this type continuously emit small doses of progestin. Their efficiency is higher than 99%. In addition, women who use progestin spiral, with time periods are much less abundant; sometimes they are completely stopped for a while. Progestin IUD valid up to five years, but you can remove it at any time.

In modern society, the woman finally reached a position where she had to decide whether the child's start now, or after a certain time. Thanks to advances medicine pharmaceutical market is flooded various means of contraception. But increasingly, women resort to birth control pills. What kind of birth control pills is better? This question is no single answer, because the selection of contraceptive pills is done individually for each woman, based on the indications and contraindications to their use. Equally important in choosing a contraceptive pill is the sexual life of women (regular or not, with a single sexual partner or multiple).

Types of birth control pills

All birth control pills are divided into hormonal who ingested and non-hormonal, which are used topically or vaginally. Hormone pills in turn are divided into combined contraceptives and non-hybrid (mini-pill). Each type of contraceptive pill in addition to contraindications (and in some cases, indications) has its advantages and disadvantages.

Combined

Combined hormonal pills are composed of two kinds of synthetic hormones, which in its structure is closer to the human sex hormones (estrogen and progestogen). The contraceptive effect of the combined oral contraceptive based on suppression of follicle maturation principal that does not happen ovulation Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible? . Also, a combined hormonal pills cause structural changes in the endometrium than disrupt implantation of the egg and a few thickened mucus in the cervix.

Advantages of combined hormonal pills:

• proper use of tablets in almost 100% of cases prevents pregnancy;
• regulate the menstrual cycle;
• reduce the amount of uterine bleeding Uterine bleeding outside of menstruation - a sign of a serious breach ;
• reduce the risk of developing anemia;
• reduce the risk of malignant diseases of the endometrium of the uterus, ovaries and mammary glands;
• reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy;
• reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome;
• reversibility of the contraceptive effect (one month, maximum twelve fertility restored);
• possess anti-androgenic effect (normalize the condition of the skin and excess body hair);
• reduces the incidence of functional ovarian cysts.

Disadvantages of combined oral contraceptives:

• the need for a daily intake;
• sometimes cause intermenstrual bleeding;
• It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases through;
• often accompanied by side effects and complications;
• quite a high price;
• not recommended for women over 35 years of age and smokers;
• a large list of contraindications to their use.

Non-hybrid

The composition of non-hybrid hormonal pill (mini-pill) contains only one hormone - progestogen. The contraceptive effect mini-pill is achieved by the local authorities influence on the reproductive system. They call thickening the mucus in the cervix Cervical canal - the path traversed by every person That prevents sperm into the uterus and change the structure of the lining of the uterus that disrupts implantation.

Advantages of mini-pill:

• approved for use in women who have contraindications to receiving combined contraceptives (diabetes, blood disorders, cardiovascular disorders, etc);
• ideally suited as a method of contraception for women smokers and nursing;
• the contraceptive effect of up to 90%;
• They do not have severe side effects;
• can be used in women with uterine fibroids or endometriosis Endometriosis - a serious problem with serious consequences .

Disadvantages of mini-pill:

• the need for daily administration;
• can cause menstrual disorders (prolonged bleeding);
• They do not possess anti-inflammatory properties;
• increase the risk of ovarian cyst or ectopic pregnancy.

Nonhormonal

The composition of non-hormonal contraceptive pill includes potent chemicals that contribute to the destruction of sperm.

Advantages of non-hormonal tablets:

• suitable for women leading an irregular sexual life;
• They do not have a systemic effect on the body;
• Allowed to use nursing mothers;
• possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action.

Disadvantages of non-hormonal tablets:

• inconvenience in use;
• allergic reactions;
• possible discomfort during intercourse.

Anna Sozinova