Table of Contents
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives (OCs), commonly called birth control pills or "the Pill," contain combinations of an estrogen and a progesterone (in a synthetic form called progestin). The estrogen compound used in most combination OCs is estradiol. There are many different progestins, but common types include levonorgestrol, drospirenone, norgestrol, norethindrone, and desogestrel. (Combination contraceptives are also available in other forms, including patches and vaginal rings, but they may increase the risk for menstrual cramping and bleeding.)
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Click the icon to see an image of hormone-based contraceptives. |
OCs are often used to regulate periods in women with menstrual disorders, including menorrhagia (heavy bleeding), dysmenorrhea (severe pain), and amenorrhea (absence of periods). Oral contraceptives are as effective for treating pain from endometriosis as the more potent gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists. They also protect against ovarian and endometrial cancers.
High-dose OCs may be specifically helpful for adolescents with severe dysmenorrhea. Studies with low-dose OCs have also shown they can reduce menstrual pain for adolescents and adults.
OCs are taken in cycles that include pills of the same or different strengths. These are categorized as monophasic (one-phase), biphasic (two-phase), or triphasic (three-phase). Monophasic pills contain the same amount of hormones in each dose. Biphasic and triphasic pills contain different dosages of hormones with the pill packs. The monophasic regimen is the most studied regimen and is usually recommended for dysmenorrhea as well as premenstrual symptoms.
Continuous-Dosing OCs. Standard OCs usually come in a 28-pill pack with 21 days of “active” (hormone) pills and 7 days of “inactive” (placebo) pills. Newer “continuous-dosing” (also called “continuous-use”) oral contraceptives aim to reduce -- or even eliminate -- monthly menstrual periods. These OCs contain a combination of estradiol and the progestin levonorgestrel, but they use extending dosing of active pills.
Continues-dosing oral contraceptives include:
- Seasonale, with an average period every 3 months
- Seasonique, with about 4 periods a year
- Lybrel, which completely eliminates monthly menstrual periods in many women
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Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
