The Original Pill Versus The Mini Pill

Like all methods of contraception the mini pill has some benefits but it also has some definite reasons that it may not be the thing for some women to use. The mini pill is also known by the name POP which refers to the fact that it is a progestogen only pill. Some women cannot tolerate the original Pill. This can be for several reasons, one of which may be the side effects. The mini pill is supposed o have less of this kinds of problems, but it does have a whole set of its own issues.

The mini pill is linked to higher incidences of diabetes in women who have a history of developing diabetes during pregnancy. Studies have been done to show what happens to these women after their pregnancies are over. The ones who no longer suffer any symptoms of diabetes after their pregnancies were given the contraceptive pill of their choice. The women who were nursing their babies choose the mini pill as it does not interfere with milk production nor does it harm the nursing infant in any way. Of these women twenty six and a half percent developed type-two diabetes while only eleven and a half percent of those on the original Pill did.

One other potentially dangerous side effect of this pill is that there is a higher rate of ectopic pregnancies. An ectopic pregnancy is one that occurs in the fallopian tube instead of in the womb. This is something to be very aware of and so any woman who has already had an ectopic pregnancy should not use the mini pill.

Many women take the Pill not only as a contraceptive but also to help with irregular periods. It will help to settle in a regular schedule of menstruation. It will usually make for shorter lighter periods as well. The mini pill will not do the same thing. As a matter of fact it is more likely to make a woman’s periods more irregular. It can even cause them to stop for a while or for there to be breakthrough bleeding. This can prove to be an annoying side effect. A woman who has not had a period for over two months should have a pregnancy test though she should not stop taking the pills until she sees her physician.

The original Pill is not time sensitive. While it is a good idea not to spread the time you take it by too many hours taking it in the morning one day and at noon the next will not have an ill effects. This is not true with the mini pill. With the mini pill if you are three hours or more late you must use other contraceptive methods for the following forty eight hours or risk getting pregnant. If one pill is missed than another method will be required for two weeks. Two pills and you may have some bleeding while three pills and you should see your health care provider.

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