Types of birth control pills for acne

Here are the three most common birth control pills types:

Combination Pills :
The birth control pills refer to oral contraceptives and these oral contraceptives include estrogen and progestin. There is the combination of these two hormones in each pack.
Combination birth control pills can be both monophasic and multiphasic. Monophasic contains the same amount of estrogen and progestin. And multiphasic contains varied amounts of hormones which are designed to be taken at the proper times during the pill taking schedule.
Here are the some different ways you can take the combination pills; for 21 days, 28 days, 91 days or continuously:

• 28 days pills: In the 28 days pill treatment, you should take a pill at the same time for 28 days process. Generally, the first 21 pills are hormones pills and the rest 7 pills are the placebo pills. During the period of the last seven pills, you will get your period. When you finish the all pills in the pack, you should start new 28 days pills. Now, two pills (YAZ, drospirenone, progestin and ethynil estradiol combination; and Loestrin 24 Fe, ethynil estradiol and norethindrone, another progesterone combination) have 24 days of hormones and 4 days of placebo pills.

• 21 days pills: In the 21 days pill treatment, your birth control pill pack has 21 pills and you should take a pill at the same time for 21 days process. And then you should wait for seven days to start a new pack. You will get your period while you are waiting in these seven days.

• 91 days pills: This treatment is also called extended-use pills. They are sold under the name of brands Seasonale, Seasonique, LoSeasonique and Quasense. In the 91 days pill treatment, you should take a pill at the same time for 91 days process. The first 84 of the pills are the hormones pills and the rest 7 pills are placebo pills. If you use extended- use pills, you will only get your period four times a year. Because of the fact that your body adjusts to the extended-use pills, some light bleeding or spotting of blood can be seen.

• Continuous birth control pills: The first continuous –use birth control pills Lybrel was approved by FDA in May 2007. It is a multiphasic pill and at the same time a 28 day pill pack. It is designed to be taken continuously and there is no break between the packs. So, it means that you have no period. When you first start using Lybrel, some spotting and breakthrough bleeding can be seen. However, at the end of the year, most of the women have no bleeding.

Some women take their 21 day pills continuously or stay away from taking the placebo pills in the 28 day pack. So, only the hormone pills are taken. If you want to apply this method, you should firstly ask to your health care professional. Furthermore, remember that insurance cannot cover these pills used in this method.

Advantages of combination pills:
• Decrease the risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer
• Get rid of ectopic pregnancy (these pregnancies occur outside of the uterus, generally fallopian tubes)
• Reduce menstrual blood loss and pain and cramps
• Premenstrual symptoms are less severe thanks to them
• Regulate menstrual cycle
• Increase acne
• Women generally over 30 attain their peak bone mass and the combination pills prevent bone density loss in women
• Reduce the ovarian cysts risks
• Increase extreme body hair, particularly on the face. It is a condition which is called hirsutism
• Increase endometriosis
• Increase rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and prevent the possible condition
• Have beneficial effects on cholesterol (HDL and LDL)
• Reduce benign breast cancer and breast cysts
• Affect reversibly with quick return to fertility
• Treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder’s (PMDD) emotional and physical symptoms. The PMDD is a severe form of PMS. It is shown that only one combination OC is effective for this use. It includes the progestin drospirenone and ethynil estradiol.

Disadvantages of combination pills:
• Can cause vomiting, nausea, spotting or headaches
• Can cause hypertension, high blood pressure. It is very slow increased risk
• In some percentage of users, can cause blood clots
• Can cause a slight rising in stroke risk
• Can contribute to the gallstones formation

Possible side effects:
• Vomiting and nausea
• Headaches
• Irregular bleeding
• If you change your nourishment habits after starting to take the pill, weight gain or loss
• Breast tenderness
• Breast size increasing

To decide whether taking combined pills is a good option for you, ask yourself the following questions:
• Can you remember to take a pill everyday?
• If you realize that you have the risk of sexually transmitted disease, could you use condoms?
• Do you have complaints about endometriosis, severe menstrual pain or anemia?
• Do you have complaints about PMDD?
• If you smoke, are you under 35?
• Is your baby six months or older, if you are breastfeeding?
• Do you have high tension?
• Do you have good experience with combination pills in the past?