Birth control pills are oral medications taken to prevent pregnancy. It is one method of birth control, and oral contraceptives are hormonal combinations containing estrogen and progestin or progestin alone. Alone, progestin makes fertilization occur by making the uterine mucus surrounding the egg difficult for sperm to penetrate. Together, estrogen and progestin prevent pregnancy by preventing the release of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). These two hormones play crucial roles in the development of the egg and the lining of the uterus for embryo implantation.

Different types of birth control pills combinations can be monophasic, biphasic, or triphasic.

Monophasic birth control pills contain the same amount of estrogen and progestin daily.

Biphasic birth control contains the same amount of estrogen daily for the first 21 days of the cycle. However, at the onset of the second half of the cycle, the ratio of the two hormones becomes greater; this allows the typical shedding of the uterus lining.

Triphasic birth control pills have constant or changing estrogen and varying progestin levels throughout the cycle. There is no evidence that either of these combinations is superior to the other.

#1. Aviane

The Brand: Aviane is a combination hormone contraceptive. It contains progestin and estrogen and prevents ovulation during your menstrual cycle.

Need to Know: The Patient Information Leaflet contains vital information on when to take the pills and what to do when a dose is missed. It should be taken by mouth as directed by your doctor, typically once daily. Pick a time of the day that you can easily remember, and take your pill at the same time each day.

The chewable tablets can be swallowed whole or chewed thoroughly, then swallowed. But you should follow the manufacturer’s directions for each brand.

A pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication. It may also have seven reminder pills without medication. You should take one active medicine (with hormones) once daily for 21 days consecutively. For example, if your product contains 28 tablets, take an inactive pill once daily for seven days consecutively after taking the last active medication unless your doctor has directed you otherwise. For products with 21 tablets, do not take any pills for seven days. Your period should come during the fourth week of the cycle. Start a new pack the following day regardless of whether you have your period after taking the last inactive tablet in the pack of gone seven days without taking an active pill. You should consult your doctor if you don’t get your period.

Perhaps this is the first time you will use Aviane, and you are switching from another type of hormonal birth control pill. Take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following your menstrual period’s start or on the first day of your period.

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#2. Apri

The Brand: Apri is a combination hormonal contraceptive containing progestin and estrogen. Like other combination medications, it prevents the release of an egg during your menstrual cycle. It also thickens vaginal fluid to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg and changes the uterus’ lining to avoid the attachment of a fertilized egg.

Need to Know: The Patient Information Leaflet contains vital information on when to take the pills and what to do when a dose is missed. It should be taken by mouth as directed by your doctor, typically once daily. Pick a time of the day that you can easily remember, and take your pill at the same time daily.

The chewable tablets can be swallowed whole or chewed thoroughly, then swallowed. But you should follow the manufacturer’s directions for each brand.

A pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication. It may also have seven reminder pills without medication. You should take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 21 days consecutively. For example, if your product contains 28 tablets, take an inactive pill once daily for seven days consecutively after taking the last active pill unless your doctor has directed you otherwise. For products with 21 tablets, do not take any tablets for seven days. Your period should come during the fourth week of the cycle. Start a new pack the following day regardless of whether you have your period after taking the last inactive tablet in the pack or gone seven days without taking an active pill. You should consult your doctor if you don’t get your period.

Perhaps this is the first time you will use Avri, and you are switching from another type of hormonal birth control pill. Take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following your menstrual period’s start or on the first day of your period.

Avri rarely causes serious side problems. However, immediately get medical help if any of these side effects arise; chest/jaw/left arm pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, or worsening migraines.

A severe allergic reaction to Avri is rare. However, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any estrogen or progestins allergies before you use this medication. Avri may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Ensure you get medical help if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.

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#3. Jenest 28

The Brand: Jenest 28 is a biphasic oral combined contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy manufactured by Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp. Its active ingredients are Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. In addition, it contains the hormones progestin and estrogen and works by inhibiting ovulation.

Need to Know: Jenest 28 pills should be used as directed by your doctor. It would help if you studied the label on the drug to know the exact dosing instructions.

  • Take one pill orally with water, with or without food
  • Medications should be taken at the same time daily, at intervals not exceeding 24 hours
  • Do not skip doses or take more pills than indicated

A severe allergic reaction to Jenest 28 is rare. In rare cases, the following side effects can occur:

  • Vomiting
  • Breast pain
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Dizziness
  • Changes in weight or appetite

An overdose of Jenest 28 can result in darkening the skin on your face. Therefore, it would be best if you avoided extended exposure to the sun or sunlamps.

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#4. Ortho-Novum 10/11

The Brand: Ortho-Novum 10/11 is a biphasic oral combined contraceptive pill used to prevent unwanted pregnancy manufactured by Allergan. Its active ingredients are Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. It contains the hormones progestin and estrogen and works by inhibiting ovulation. In addition to preventing the attachment of a fertilized egg in the womb, the medication may make your periods more regular, light, and less painful and reduce the risk of ovarian risks.

Need to Know: 1 tablet of the medicine should be taken orally once a day at the same time daily, with water, with or without food. The pills should be taken in the order indicated in the leaflet. It would help if you started taking the medication on the first day of your period or the first Sunday following the start of your period. Do not skip doses or take two doses at once.

Common side effects that do not require medical attention include; irritability, stomach cramps, breast enlargement or tenderness, trouble sleeping.

You should contact your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you show any of the following side effects:

  • Anxiety
  • Blurred vision
  • Cough
  • Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual cycles

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#5. Ortho-Novum 7/7/7

The Brand: Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 is an oral triphasic birth control pill manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Its active ingredients are norethisterone and Ethinyl estradiol. It is used to prevent pregnancy and works by suppressing ovulation.

Need to Know: There are 28 pills in a package in increasing dosages. Each pill should be taken at the same time and at once with a small amount of water. It inhibits ovulation, and the menstruation will begin 2-3 days from the moment you start taking the inactive pills.

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#6. Estrostrep 21

The Brand: Estrostrep 21 is an oral triphasic birth control pill containing norethindrone (a progestin) and Ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). It prevents pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation during your menstrual cycle.

Need to Know: Your pack contains 21 pills with active medication. Each of its seven inactive tablets taken during the fourth week includes a small amount of iron (ferrous fumarate). These placebo pills do not contain any hormones and are meant to help you take one tablet each day, so you do not have to treat iron deficiency during your cycle. Follow the instructions on the package Start with the first tablet in each pack, take them in the proper order, and do not skip doses.

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