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Changing contraceptive methods can be a
stressful event, but you did the right thing by reaching out
for more information. Since you have completed a full cycle of
the pill, you can now be sure that you have all the benefits
of your oral contraceptive available to you. Some sources say
that it is only necessary to take the pill for two weeks
before you start relying on it as a contraceptive method.
However most clinicians err on the side of caution and
recommend completing a full cycle.
Alesse, like all combination pills prevents
pregnancy in several ways. First, elevated estrogen levels
stop the egg-developing message from your thyroid gland. Thus,
the ovary does not release an egg. Secondly, small amounts of
progestin provide three back-up measures: (1)The mucus in your
cervix is thickened, decreasing the ability of sperm to get
into the uterus. (2) The lining of your uterus does not
develop properly, so that if some how the sperm did join with
an egg, the fertilized egg would not be able to implant into
the lining of the uterus. (3) Enzymes that allow the sperm to
unite with an egg are inhibited.
All combined pills have an expected
efficacy of more than 99%, but in actual use the rates are
closer to 97%. Women who miss pills or fail to use a back-up
method during a cycle when they have taken antibiotics or
anticonvulsants or when they switched oral contraceptive
brands are more likely to become pregnant.
Women who use oral contraceptives as
compare to those who do not seem to have an increased risk for
cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes,
pulmonary embolisms, and other clotting disorders. This
increase of risk is heightened if the person smokes or is over
thirty-five. Women who meet both of these criteria experience
the highest risk increase. It is important for all women to
discuss this risk with their clinicians. Ultimately, some
women who smoke may want to opt for another contraceptive
method such as a diaphragm or cervical cap.
Additionally, the pill does not offer any
protection from Sexually Transmitted Infections. Many couples
get tested for HIV and upon receiving negative results they
feel as though they are in the clear, so to speak. However
there are many other diseases and infections which should be
of concern. Also people may be silent carriers of STIs such as
HPV (genital warts). Consult your clinician for further STI
screening and advice as to whether or not you may want to use
a barrier method in order to protect you from STIs. Finally,
it important to remember that this is your body, and that
means that if for any reason you don’t like taking oral
contraceptives your partner should understand about choosing
another contraceptive method.
For additional information please see
the following websites:
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