What is a contraceptive pill?

Contraceptive pills, also called birth control pills are tablets taken that contain hormones to prevent pregnancy after an unprotected sexual encounter. One of the most effective methods of birth control, oral contraceptive pills are also considered to be safe and convenient.

In India, several birth control measures are available for avoiding pregnancy, for both men and women, ranging from condoms, simple pills to even intrauterine devices. However, the majority of them are centered for use in women. Amongst these measures, a contraceptive pill is a kind of oral medicine, meant for women that are easily available in a pharmacy, used to avoid pregnancy.

How does it work?

Hormonal contraceptives usually stop the body from ovulating, inhibiting your body’s natural hormones thus preventing pregnancy i.e., fertilization of the egg. Contraception aims to avoid pregnancy by keeping the egg and the sperm apart. They also make changes in the cervical mucus, making it difficult for the sperm to go through the cervix and find an egg. These pills report a success rate of up to 99%, but only if taken regularly.

In India, several birth-control measures such as condoms, implants, birth control shots, and contraceptive pills are available, however, it is necessary to choose the right method.

Contraceptive pills are extremely safe to use, only sometimes they can result in some side-effects such as:

• Nausea
• Spotting or light periods
• Weight gain
• Sore breasts
• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Blurred vision

If you start experiencing any of the side effects of contraceptive pills mentioned above for a considerable amount of time, visit a doctor to assess your situation.

Choosing the safest contraceptive pill

As per research, the best oral contraceptive pills in India include Saheli, Unwanted 21 days, Yasmin, Centron, etc. Saheli can be considered to be one of the safest of all pills as it is the only non-hormonal oral contraceptive pill available in India currently. Being non-hormonal, it is also the world’s first and only oral non-steroidal birth control pill that can avoid the occurrence of hormone-related adverse events seen with hormonal pills. Saheli, launched by HLL in 1991, is free from side effects like weight gain, nausea, vomiting, headache, etc. It contains the molecule ‘Centchroman’ (ormeloxifene 30mg). Unlike other contraceptive pill brands, Saheli does not contain hormones like estrogen or progesterone or a combination of both, thus making it one of the recommended safest birth control pills.  The usual dosage is one pill per week however you can consult your medical provider and alter your dosage based on your body type.

As per an expert’s opinion, the majority of women aged less than 40, should go for the combined use of condoms and pills to ensure double safety, from avoiding pregnancy and also prevent STDs. 

When it comes to pregnancy, there are various types of pregnancy tests available in the market. Pregnancy kits available in the market is the easiest way of pregnancy confirmation without any hassle. It is not only convenient but provides quick and effective results.

What is a pregnancy test kit? How does it work?

A pregnancy test is used to detect the confirmation of pregnancy. It consists of a tag that measures the fertility hormones in your semen by determining the level of HCG Hormones (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in your urine. The pregnancy tests provide instant results; the detection of HCG usually takes 2-3 minutes for a better outcome.

Types of Pregnancy kits and how to use pregnancy kit

There are primarily two types of pregnancy kits available in the market:

1. Strip-based Pregnancy test kit

The most common pregnancy test consists of a strip on which urine is put in a clean tank on the strip. A dropper is provided to put 2-3 drops of urine into the test area. The strip shows results in 30-60 seconds with 3 possible outcomes:

Positive: Two red bands on the pregnancy kit strip indicates a positive test result.

Negative: One pink band on the pregnancy kit strip indicates a negative test result.

Invalid: If one band is darker than the other, it is an invalid test. It is advised to take another test the next morning to validate the results.

2. A cup test Pregnancy kit

In this type of Pregnancy test, a strip and a urine collection cup are provided; firstly, the urine is collected in the given cup, and then the strip is dropped in the cup. This test takes around 30 seconds to detect the HCG hormones in the urine and show the results, either correct, negative, or null.

 Choosing the best pregnancy test kit in India

There are several pregnancy test kits available in the Indian markets, such as Preganews, Velocity, I can, MeriScreen hCG, etc. These kits are extremely easy to use and give up to 99% accurate results depending upon the brands. These test kits determine the HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone level in urine and are available in either strip or cup forms as mentioned above. Pregnancy kits are not only easy to use but also a convenient and most affordable method to detect pregnancy.

Although a plethora of brands offers pregnancy kits, it is necessary to use the most efficient kit that gives accurate pregnancy test kit results. Here are few best pregnancy kits available in the Indian Market:

• PregaNews Pregnancy Kit
• ICAN Pregnancy Test Kit
• Velocity Pregnancy Test Kit

A test result on a pregnancy test kit can be life-changing. Hence, it is paramount to choose the best pregnancy kit available in the market that’ll give you a quick result.

As one of the effective ways of preventing pregnancy, Contraceptives are widely accepted by the public especially the younger generation. Due to advancements in technology, the side-effects of contraceptive pills have diminished ensuring safety. People also have a wide variety of choices when it comes to contraceptives and even pregnancy kits.  Pregnancy kit test results are a safe way of determining pregnancy and a variety of pregnancy kits are available in the market to understand the pregnancy status at home keeping confidentiality in check.

Birth control or contraception is a technique used to prevent pregnancy. In simple terms, it helps in preventing a man’s sperm from reaching a woman’s egg by keeping them apart to prevent ovulation (egg formation). And, if you are considering using birth control (contraception), then it is paramount to have a detailed understanding of various methods available to pick the right one for you. The decision of which method of birth control to opt for is extremely personal and there is nothing called as best choice which is safest for all women or couples. Any woman should sensibly evaluate the risks and benefits, along with the effectiveness of each method before picking on a birth control method. Also, simultaneously consider protection from the risk of HIV and certain STDs (Sexually Transmitted Disease).  A clear and open discussion with your health care professional can help in this decision process.

Let us now dive deeper into understanding various methods of birth control and their effectiveness.

There are two basic categories of birth control methods: Reversible and Permanent.

Reversible methods are the methods used when a woman chooses to temporarily avoid pregnancy. These are usually suggested by the doctor when a woman has plans to get pregnant in the future. Permanent methods are the methods that involve sterilization that prevents pregnancy permanently. A woman may decide to choose these methods when she is very sure of giving no birth to children henceforth.

Reversible Methods

1. Intrauterine Contraception:  An intrauterine device (IUD) is a tiny T-shaped device that your doctor inserts into your uterus. The device contains copper or synthetic progesterone that prevents pregnancy. A progesterone IUD can remain in place up for several years and is 99% effective. IUDs do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

2. Hormonal Method: Basic hormonal methods includes implants, injections, contraceptive pills, patches, and the hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring.

– Implant: It consists of a single, thin rod that is inserted under the skin of a women’s upper arm which releases progestin into the body for over 3 years.

– Injection: Shots of the hormone progestin are given to Women every 3 months in the buttocks or arm.

– Contraceptive pills: These oral contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. Prescribed by a doctor, this pill is taken at the same time every day. There are more than a few types of oral contraceptives available in the market and a health care provider helps to determine which type best meets a woman’s needs.

– Patch: A thin, plastic patch is placed on the buttocks, lower abdomen, or any side of the arm. That patch is responsible for releasing hormones through the skin into the bloodstream.  A new patch is applied once a week for 3 weeks, and no patch is used on the fourth week to enable menstruation.

– Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring: This thin, flexible ring (approx. 2 inches in diameter) is inserted into the vagina, where it releases hormones for 3 weeks. It delivers a combination of Ethinyl estradiol and a progestin. This method may not be recommended for women with certain health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, or certain types of cancer.

3. Barrier Methods: This approach consists of male condoms, female condoms, diaphragms or cervical caps, and spermicides in various forms including gels, foam, or tablets.

– Male condoms: This condom is a thin sheath that covers the penis to collect sperm and prevent it from entering the woman’s body. Male condoms are generally made of latex or polyurethane.

– Female condoms: Female condoms (also known as internal condoms) are thin, flexible plastic pouches that are inserted into the vagina before having sex. They also protect against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

– Diaphragms or Cervical caps: These are shallow, flexible cup made of latex or soft rubber that is inserted into the vagina before intercourse, blocking sperm from entering the uterus.

– Spermicides: They aim at killing the sperm cells.  Usually applied within 1 hr of intercourse, spermicides come in several forms such as gel, foam, film, or a tablet. They are usually placed for 6-8 hours after the intercourse to rule out any possible pregnancy.

4. Fertility Awareness: This is another way to avoid pregnancy. Here you need to understand your fertility pattern and avoid sex on those days when you are fertile or use any other barrier method instead. This approach of birth control usually sees 75% and 96% effectiveness.

Permanent Methods

1. Female Sterilization – Tubal Ligation

In this method, a woman’s fallopian tubes are tied or closed so that the sperm cells don’t come in contact with the eggs. This procedure is effective and can be performed at a hospital or an outpatient center under the guidance of a doctor. 

2. Male Sterilization – Vasectomy

This procedure prevents sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. This surgical approach blocks the path between testes and the urethra. The sperm doesn’t leave the testes and fails to reach the egg. It is observed that in some cases it can take as long as up to 3 months to see the full effectiveness of the procedure.

Talk to your doctor about the type of birth control method you choose and understand all the pros and cons in detail. There is no one standard procedure that is considered the best for all and hence it is important to consider your and your family’s needs to make the right choice.\