Birth control pill Archives

Benefits of Birth Control Pills Beyond Pregnancy Prevention

03/04/2024/by Mikko Törmä

The obvious reason most women take oral contraceptives is to prevent pregnancy. The benefits of birth control pills, however, go far beyond preventing unplanned pregnancies. As a result, there are lots of reasons why doctors prescribe these pills to female patients, as long as they are not currently trying or planning to become pregnant. If you are first time starting your pills, we suggest you reading this incredible article.

Beyond Pregnancy Prevention: 11 Additional Benefits of Birth Control Pills

Reduce the Risk of Certain Cancers – Birth control pills have been commonly used since the 1950s, which means lots of scientific studies have been performed over the lifetimes of lots of women. Oral contraceptives have been shown to reduce the risk of uterine, ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Treat Irregular Periods – The menstrual cycle is supposed to take place over a period of 28 days, but many women experience shorter, longer or unpredictable cycles. Birth control eliminates this concern.
Regulation of Menstruation – In addition to knowing when your period will start, oral contraceptives allow women to schedule their periods by skipping the week of inactive pills and immediately beginning a new pack.
Less Painful Periods – Birth control reduces the severity of pain, cramping and other symptoms of menstruation.
Treatment for Menorrhagia (Heavy Bleeding) – On birth control, women experience significantly lighter periods.
Reduce Risk of Anemia – Lighter bleeding also means a lower risk of anemia.
Increased Comfort throughout the Month – The hormones in birth control pills essentially trick the body into thinking it is pregnant. As a result, the ovaries do not release an egg each month. This eliminates the pain and discomfort many women experience in the middle of their cycles.
Reduce or Eliminate Hormonal Acne – The hormonal fluctuations which occur during a menstrual cycle can irritate the skin, causing hormonal acne. Birth control pills effectively prevent the fluctuation of hormones in the body and these types of break outs.
Treatment for Menstrual Migraines – The drop in estrogen which occurs during a normal menstrual cycle triggers migraine headaches for many women, creating serious interruptions to their lives every few weeks. By regulating hormonal fluctuations with birth control pills, many women find great relief from these types of migraines.
Relieve Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – Birth control pills reduce the physical and emotional symptoms associated with these hormone-related concerns.
Manage Endometriosis – The irregular growth of endometrial tissue causes extreme pain. Birth control pills help reduce tissue growth and symptoms.

Take Birth Control Pills as Prescribed for Consistent Hormone Regulation and Complete Benefits

Birth control pills affect the female body’s monthly cycle by regulating the hormones inside the body. To ensure consistent regulation, taking a consistent dose and sticking with your schedule (down to the exact time of day you take your pill) is absolutely necessary – especially when taking oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. To ensure the efficacy of birth control pills, always remember to take your pill at the same time each day. Also remember to make adjustments to your schedule if you travel outside of your time zone. If you happen to miss a dose, follow your medication’s instructions for what to do, use a backup contraceptive and talk with your doctor if you miss more than one dose in a month. If you wonder what is the best day to start Birth Control pills, then check it here.

How Birth Control Pills Work

21/03/2024/by Mikko Törmä

The hormonal birth control known as “the pill” has gained its reputation firstly because it can simply be taken by the mouth. Secondly, when taken correctly, the birth control pill can be up to 99.7% effective, i.e. not resulting in pregnancy. Read further for a quick rundown on how birth control pills work.

Birds and the bees

Biology has taught us that a woman conceives when an egg released from her ovary is fertilized by a man’s sperm (one of the millions swimming toward the egg). This fertilized egg then attaches to the inside of the woman’s womb (uterus). Here, the egg gets nourishment and develops into a baby over the course of nine months. It is the hormones in the woman’s body that control the release of the egg from the ovary (ovulation).

How birth control pills work?

The pill and other hormonal contraceptives (the patch, the vaginal ring etc.) contain synthetic oestrogen and progestin hormones in minute amounts. The function of these hormones is to inhibit the woman’s body’s regular cyclic hormones and thus prevent the woman from getting pregnant.

Nonetheless, there is a combination of factors that can be attributed to preventing the process of conception. Generally, the hormonal contraceptive stops the body from releasing of the egg from the ovary (ovulating). Additionally, these contraceptives modify the cervical mucus so much so that it is difficult, nearly impossible (if you are lucky) for the sperm to make its way through the cervix and find itself an egg to fertilize. Moreover, hormonal contraceptives also avert the occurrence of pregnancy by altering the lining of the womb (where the baby should rest), so that the chances of the implantation of the fertilized egg are brought down significantly.

It must, however, be noted that the risk of pregnancy is MUCH less for women who take the pill properly. And properly means every day, at about the same time.

Also, it is better to not just and only rely on the pill. Using condoms (male) is strongly recommended to decrease the risk of STDs (and pregnancy, of course).

Pros and cons

Advantages of birth control pills:

Easy to use
Cheaper than other birth control methods
Combination pills might even offer other benefits; easing menstrual cramps, reduced blood loss during menstruation, reduction in acne, even stronger bones! Using them is also known to reduce the risk of some cancers (those affecting reproductive organs).

There are also some side effects that come along:

Weight gain
Occasional nausea
Mood swings (due to hormonal activity)
Lighter blood flow during menstruation
Sore breasts
Spotting

The lesser common yet serious side effects that may be indicators of bigger problem like liver damage, gallbladder disease etc. are as follows:

Chest pain (sign of stroke)
Severe headaches (migraine)
Stomach/abdominal pain
Blurred Vision etc.

Nevertheless, birth control pills are the most widely used and safest of all methods – just as long as you remember to take them on time.

For this purpose it is best to rely on a routine or any of the reminders available on the market.

Mikko Törmä

Mikko Törmä is certified pharmacist and has over 15 years experience in pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy and has worked also in Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Mikko is a professional writer who’s main focus is to make medical science simple to read and understandable, so that ordinary people can easily benefit from the research & recommendations made by professionals. His deepest interest is in the public health and to provide fair access to primary health care for everyone.

How Soon Do Birth Control Pills Become Effective?

11/03/2024/by Mikko Veräjänkorva

When women use birth control pills, they have many more choices and a lot more freedom than other methods of birth control. Most women who start using birth control pills want to enjoy these advantages as soon as possible, but how soon do birth control pills become effective?

How Soon Do Birth Control Pills Become Effective?

If you are among the millions of women in the US who are choosing to start to use birth control pills this year, you need to know ‘the pill’ is often not instantly effective. It can take a long time before your birth control pills are able to protect you against unwanted pregnancy.

But precisely how much time depends on several factors. Some of these factors include the specific type of birth control pills you are taking and how far along you are in your menstrual cycle when you take the first pill. It is critical to understand how these factors can affect you.

Check also our earlier blog post on when should you start the pill.

How the Types of Pills and Your Menstrual Cycle Affects the Effectiveness of Birth Control Pills

There are two main types of birth control pills: combination pills and progestin-only pills. There are benefits and drawbacks for each of these two varieties. Your doctor tends to make the final decision about which type of pill is best for you. If you prefer one type of pill or have concerns, talk to your physician.

A combination pill is the most common type of birth control. The pill contains both progestin and estrogen hormones. Women who use this kind of birth control pill may need to wait up to 7 days before the pill can protect them against unwanted pregnancy.

During this waiting period, it is still possible for these women to engage in intercourse, but they should continue to use an alternative method of birth control such as a condom and spermicidal gel.

For a woman who thinks that 7 days is too long of a time to wait, there is good news.

There is a way for women to eliminate the waiting period completely. Women who take their first combination pill on the initial day of their periods are free to have sex with a far less chance of becoming pregnant from day one.

A progestin-only pill, most commonly known as the ‘minipill’ or POP, only contains the hormone progestin. One advantage of using the minipill is that it takes only 48 hours for progestin-only pills to become effective against pregnancy.

For the first two days after beginning the minipill, couples need to use an alternative method of birth control. It is important to note that with the minipill, women must take the pill at the same time each day to stay protected.

Missing a pill by as little as three hours means you have to take precautions.

Missing a pill by as little as three hours can mean having to use a backup method for 48 hours. Forgetting to take a pill for an entire day will mean 2 weeks of using an alternative birth control method.

This is only a guideline for how soon do birth control pills become effective and everyone is different. Listen to your doctor and always ask questions when you have any concerns about your health.

(A clinical pilot – DOI: 10.15761/COGRM.1000217, was conducted by a team of doctor’s including Henna Kärkkäinen, MD, Ph.D, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Heikki Matero Ph.M, Janne Sahlman MD, Ph.D at the Kuopio University Hospital. The study concludes that an on-demand reminder system increases adherence of birth control pill users. More details regarding this study can be found here. )

Unlocking the Mystery: Do Birth Control Pills Impact Vaginal Lubrication?

08/03/2024/by Ikue Valovirta

Exploring the Link Between Pills and Vaginal Lubrication

Have you ever experienced vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex when using birth control pills? Some women do. This is because these pills alter the body’s hormonal balance, suppressing ovulation and reducing natural estrogen and testosterone levels. In this post, we will explore the link between pills and vaginal lubrication.

While some studies suggest a link between birth control pills and reduced vaginal lubrication, evidence is inconclusive, and more research is needed. A 2018 study found that women using contraceptive pills had lower levels of vaginal lubrication, but other factors, such as age and sexual activity, may also affect lubrication.

What to do if you are experiencing vaginal dryness and discomfort:

If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness and discomfort, there are ways to supplement vaginal lubrication when you are using birth control pills. Here are some coping strategies to consider:

Use vaginal lubrication jelly: Water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based lubrication jelly can help. Just make sure to choose the right type for you.
Talk to your doctor about changing your pill: If vaginal dryness caused by hormonal contraceptive pills is a problem, your doctor may be able to suggest a different type of pill.
Consider hormone replacement therapy: If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness due to menopause, hormone replacement therapy may help. However, it’s important to discuss the risks with your doctor.
Eat a healthy diet: Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, zinc, and selenium can help maintain vaginal health.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help maintain moisture levels in your body, including your vagina.

By practicing these methods, you may be able to improve vaginal moisture. However, if symptoms persist, it’s important to consult your doctor.

Download Our Pill Reminder App and Stay on Top of Your Birth Control!

End your worries about birth control pill mishaps and ensure maximum effectiveness with our pill reminder app. Stay on schedule, never miss a dose, and avoid common mistakes that could lead to unplanned pregnancies.

How to Maximize Birth Control Pill Effectiveness

19/02/2024/by Mikko Veräjänkorva

Oral contraception pills are a popular birth control method for avoiding unplanned pregnancies. Combination and mini-pills have a cycle of dosage and need to be taken on prescribed schedule in order to maximize birth control pill effectiveness.

How effective are birth control pills?

When consumed in perfect fashion (no forgetting at all, taken according to prescription), birth control pills have a 0.3% failure rate. However, research shows that with typical use (occasional forgetting) the failure rate goes all the way up to 9%. This means an average of 9 women out of a 100 using the pill experience an unwanted pregnancy.

Proper use really is the key here. Pills should be taken diligently, but because of a busy lifestyle or other factors that may be very difficult.

Forgetting is actually quite common. Our own research has shown almost 80% of women forget the pill at least once per year.

How to Maximize Birth Control Pill Effectiveness?

Timing:

Timing is the most important factor to ensure the effectiveness of the pill. You must take the contraceptive pill at the same time every day. This doesn’t need to be “on the dot” if using the combination pill, but if you’re on the mini-pill you should keep a very close eye on your schedule.

Timing is the most important factor to ensure the effectiveness of the pill.

Take the pill either in the morning or before you go to sleep. You can also mark the days on your calendar or set an alarm on your smartphone. For more tips on how to remember, check our earlier blog post on this very topic.

An American Accreditation Healthcare Commission approved research by the University of Maryland also stated that the perfect time for contraceptives to be used is right after intercourse occurs.

Consumption and digestion of foods and drugs:

To have a proper effect the pill should be absorbed by the body entirely. This can, however, be impacted by vomiting or diarrhea, which can expel the pill out of the body before it has had the chance to be absorbed (usually takes 1-2 hrs).

To have a proper effect the pill should be absorbed by the body entirely.

Also if you are having other drugs on the same day as the pill, they may interfere with the oral contraceptive. Medications of this sort include for example a certain type of antibiotic, seizure medications and antifungal treatments. Here is a more thorough listing of things that can cause birth control pill failure.

It is also possible that laxative supplements such as psyllium may have an adverse effect on pill absorption. If you are using such supplements, ingest them a few hours after taking the pill to make sure and maximize birth control pill effectiveness.

Speaking of supplements, a much discussed topic has also been how some foods and herbs and the phytoestrogens they contain interfere with the pill. Phytoestrogens are dietary estrogens that mimic the estrogen in the body.

For example soybeans, nuts and oilseeds have relatively high concentrations, but more research is still needed to draw any solid conclusions whether eating these in moderation interact with pill efficiency.

Limit alcohol use:

Alcohol doesn’t influence the pill’s effectiveness, but it can affect your ability to remember to take it. If you take your pill and then throw up within a few hours, whether from illness or alcohol consumption, you may need to take another pill.

What if I miss a pill?

With a busy schedule and a lot on your plate, it’s easy to not remember the pill. Or sometimes you just, well… forget. Here’s what to do in those cases to maximize birth control pill effectiveness:

If you have missed one pill or took your first pill from the pack late:

Take the pill even if it means taking two on the same day and then go on with the dosage cycle as you normally would.
Take the reminder pills (dummy pills) to stay on track with the cycle.

If you have missed more than one pill between packs:

In case the number of pills left is more than seven, finish the pack and take the inactive pills accordingly before you start a fresh pack.
In case the number of pills left is less than seven, skip the inactive pills and start a new pack.
If you are about to have sex, use an additional contraceptive method such as a condom.

When you have missed a mini-pill:

If you’re more than 3 hours late, have the pill immediately. Take only one pill even if you have missed more than one pill.
The next pill must be taken as scheduled (even if it means taking two on the same day)
Use condoms for the next 48 hours or do not have unprotected sex if you have missed a pill.
If you have unprotected sex within the 48 hours, you may have to use emergency contraceptives.

It is important to note that a medical professional must be consulted with before using birth control pills and any issues must be reported immediately to ensure health and safety.

Mikko Veräjänkorva

Mikko Veräjänkorva is a pharmacist and holds a BScBa in International Business. He has over 15 years experience in pharmaceutical field from pharmacy, medical and pharmaceutical industry. He is one of the founders and board members of Farenta since 2003.

My aim is to write informative high quality articles based on science in way that all of us can easily understand the point. Science and evidence based research is at the core of my writing. The main purpose of my articles are to provide practical information on healthy lifestyle and to provide reliable and practical information about different medical conditions.

Bringing medical jargon to the masses is my mission.

Morning After Pill And Its Options

30/01/2024/by Mikko Törmä

We all know the morning after pill, but there are a range of emergency contraception options available to women whose other contraception has failed, who are not on birth control, or who did not use contraception during sex. Even if you are on birth control, you may still need emergency contraception after having sex if you did not take the birth control pill on time. What types of emergency birth control methods exist and when should you take them?

Hormonal – The Morning After Pill

The first type of emergency contraception is hormonal. These pills are often referred to as the “morning after pill” and usually contain a mixture of estrogen and progestin (or, in some cases, just progestin). The sooner after unprotected sex these pills are taken, the more effective they will be, though some are effective up to five days afterwards.

There are 2 types of morning-after pills:

A pill with ulipristal acetate. Ella is the only brand providing this.
A pill with levonorgestrel. There are multiple brands offering this like: AfterPill, My Way, Plan B One Step, Take Action etc.

Where to get the morning after pill?

Hormonal emergency contraception is usually available over the counter, from a pharmacy, without a prescription. In the past, a woman would have to speak with her doctor before being able to get one of these pills. Today they are more readily available.

The two brands on the market are Levonelle (take within 72 hours of sex) and ellaOne (120 hours). Even though the manufacturers have established maximum times, it is always best to take the morning after pill as soon as possible after sex.

IUD

The second type of emergency contraception comes in the form of a copper IUD. If you have an IUD inserted less than seven days after unprotected sex, it can be very effective at preventing pregnancy. What this method does is to make the uterus completely unreceptive to sperm. If inserted before ovulation, it will kill off the sperm before it can meet an egg. If inserted after ovulation, it will make it impossible for a fertilized egg to actually implant itself in the uterus.

This is the most effective type of emergency contraception, but usually has to be inserted at a doctor’s office that has a qualified medical professional and access to the IUD. The IUD is the most effective type of EC — it works 99 times out of 100. Read here about the the pros and cons of having an IUD.

When Can I Use Emergency Contraception?

Some women will use emergency contraception in the place of more traditional contraception like condoms or birth control pills. Emergency contraception is actually not as effective as birth control and other contraception methods, making it very important for a woman not to rely expressly on that as her only method of preventing pregnancy. Emergency birth control should definitely be used if you’ve forgotten to take the (combination) pill more than two days in a row (with mini-pills already after 3 hrs), if a condom broke or leaked or if no birth control was used at all.

Mikko Törmä

Mikko Törmä is certified pharmacist and has over 15 years experience in pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy and has worked also in Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Mikko is a professional writer who’s main focus is to make medical science simple to read and understandable, so that ordinary people can easily benefit from the research & recommendations made by professionals. His deepest interest is in the public health and to provide fair access to primary health care for everyone.

What Is The Best Day To Start The Pill?

24/01/2024/by Mikko Törmä

You may have already decided that the pill is the best birth control option for you, but you probably still have a lot of questions. One of the most common questions women have before using this type of birth control is what is the best day to start the pill?

There are many choices and most people have their own point of view on this topic. The best thing for you to do is to understand all the possibilities and then speak with your doctor to make a final decision.

The Best Day to Start the Pill Depends on Which Pill You Choose

The answer to the question when is the best day to start the pill is a personal preference. A lot depends on which type of pill you and your doctor decide to use.

There are two common birth control pills: Combination pills which contain estrogen and progestin, and the progestin-only pills which are commonly called minipills or POPs.

The Combination Pill

There are three different approaches for choosing the best day to start a combination pill.

The first option is to take the pill immediately. Women who choose this option still have the capability to conceive for the first 7 days after taking the pills. To prevent an unwanted pregnancy, it is important for couples to use a form of backup contraception, such as a condom with spermicidal gel.
The second option is to begin the pill during the first day of menstruation. Women who to start taking the pill on this day do not have to worry about using any additional forms of birth control.
Finally, many women prefer to take combination birth control pills on the first Sunday after the beginning of their periods. Women who use a Sunday as the starting time are more likely to avoid having to suffer menstrual pain during the weekends when it can be more disruptive to an active lifestyle.

The Progestin-Only Pill

For women who choose to use the minipill every day is the best day to start the pill! It’s recommended to use additional birth control protection for two days afterward. However most experts suggest women should first take the pill on the initial day of their menstrual cycle to avoid having to use any backup birth control method. Many women switch from the combination pill to the minipill. These women can take the progestin-only pills the day after they finish their last combination pill.

Other Things You Should Know About When to Start the Pill

All birth control pills work best when women take them at the same time each day, but it is critical for the minipill to function properly. Forgetting to take a pill is easy. That is why most women like to link the time they take their pills to an everyday activity like eating lunch. It is best not to choose an activity which is too early in the morning or too late at night. Read here for tips on 6 effective ways to remember the birth control pill.

A couple more tips for timing birth control pills are writing down the first day you start each new set of pills on the calendar. Don’t forget to write a reminder to get next month’s supply to avoid running out.

This advice is only a guideline. Speak with your physician for more personalized information.

Mikko Törmä

Mikko Törmä is certified pharmacist and has over 15 years experience in pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy and has worked also in Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Mikko is a professional writer who’s main focus is to make medical science simple to read and understandable, so that ordinary people can easily benefit from the research & recommendations made by professionals. His deepest interest is in the public health and to provide fair access to primary health care for everyone.

What Is In The Birth Control Pill?

24/01/2024/by Mikko Törmä

Birth control is something that a lot of people consider. It saves you the trouble of worrying about the consequences and allows you to live your life the way you want to live it. There are many different types of birth control methods available in the market but the most common and safest one for women is to take the birth control pills. Not only are these pills safe but they also help women in keeping their internal cycles regular too.

These birth control pills may be made of a combination of female hormones or may have only one hormone depending on their type. They are taken orally (ingested through the mouth) and the amount of dosage required depends on the type of pill being used. The characteristics of the two main types of birth control pills are described as follows:

Combination Pills: The most common type of oral contraceptive. These types of pills are usually a combination of two female hormones: estrogen and progestin. They help prevent pregnancies in the following ways:

By thickening the mucus in your cervix
By suppressing the process of ovulation in your body
By thinning the lining of your uterus.

These are the pills that are more commonly used as compared to so-called mini-pills, which we will get to in a moment. Combination pills help improve your menstrual cycle as well as reduce the cramps associated with them. This in turn reduces the chances of anemia. They also help clear up skin acne which is an added benefit for them. The combo pill may also reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Have a look at some of the other side-effects here.

Mini-pills: Mini-pills, which are sometimes called Progestin-Only Pills (POP), are made up of only one type of female hormone known as progestin. These pills help thicken your cervical mucus and cause thinning in the walls of your uterus. Sometimes these pills may also act as ovulation repressants but that is usually a rare case. This is normally advised when you have shown sensitivity to estrogen.

Just like the combination pill, also the mini-pill is effective if taken daily at the same time. It is safe to use in case you are at risk of heart disease or stroke or are a heavy smoker. It is also safe to use in the case of breastfeeding women. However, with mini-pills, you have less flexibility with the timing (should not be late more than 3h), and if you forget or exceed the buffer time you should use a backup contraceptive such as a condom for at least the next 48h. If you’re on the mini-pill and find it difficult to take around the same times, have a look at our recommendations on how to jog your memory.

Mikko Törmä

Mikko Törmä is certified pharmacist and has over 15 years experience in pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy and has worked also in Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Mikko is a professional writer who’s main focus is to make medical science simple to read and understandable, so that ordinary people can easily benefit from the research & recommendations made by professionals. His deepest interest is in the public health and to provide fair access to primary health care for everyone.

Pill reminders – Can they help you take your pills on time?

10/01/2024/by Mikko Veräjänkorva

Pill reminder and pill-tracking app is the new mantra used by researchers to improve medication adherence in patients.

A 2016 poll conducted by Popit Research Labs showed that around 40% of voters relied on their memory to track their pill usage while almost 60% used some form of external pill reminder. Also, multiple studies are suggesting the rise in medication non-adherence due to forgetfulness. There is clearly a need for an external source to keep track of one’s medication usage.

Popit Research Labs, 2016

Do pill reminders work?

With the rise in pill reminder solutions, the first question that pops into your mind is – Do pill reminders actually help? Can they help you take your medications on time?

According to a randomised clinical trial done in 2018, to check the impact of medication reminder apps to improve medication adherence in a Coronary Heart Disease study, adherence improvement for app users seemed to be ~7.2%. It was concluded that patients who used medication reminder apps had better medication adherence compared to those with usual care.

A study by Cochrane on interventions for medication adherence in the elderly concluded that behavioural and educational interventions along with the aid of simple strategies such as using pill reminders may lead to greater satisfaction in medication management in the elderly.

In a poll conducted by Popit, almost 50% of the users confirmed they have some kind of reminders for pills and they find these useful in tracking their pills for birth control. In a clinical pilot together with a leading university hospital, their pill reminder solution was able to reduce missed pills by over 80% and help build a solid routine around pill-taking.

Popit Research Labs, 2016

Which is the most effective pill reminder?

With the internet being flooded with various pill reminders apps and medication trackers, how do you know if these are effective or not? Does it really make sense to invest in one? If yes, then which one?

Pill dispensers are cheap, but using a pill dispenser is more or less relying on your memory. On the other hand, smartphone alarms are free, but most people end up ignoring these alarms as constant notifications can get annoying after a while.

A smart sensing device could be another option that you can rely on. This is the world’s first and only tracker for a pill blister that comes with built-in sensors. It can sense when you pop a pill off the blister and notifies you only when you miss a pill. Which means, if you take the pill, you don’t get the daily annoying reminders. Also, there is no manual input needed to keep a track of your pill usage.

We compiled a comparison chart so you can evaluate which solution is best for you.

Pill Reminders

How do pill reminders help?

Medication cannot work as intended if it is not taken as prescribed. Consistency and taking pills according to guidance play a key role in any treatment.

Some of the cases where pill reminders have proven to be beneficial include:

1. Avoiding unwanted pregnancy

The risk of pregnancy with a typical birth control pill use is 9% and the pill is 99% efficient only when used perfectly.

By perfect use, it means you have to take the pill every day without fail. You must also take it at the same time day after day. In a recent survey conducted by Popit, more than 1 in 12 women on the pill may have experienced an unintended pregnancy due to missing a pill.

2. Medication adherence in chronic health conditions

Medication non-adherence in chronic health conditions is a recognized public health problem. According to a study conducted by NCBI on unintentional non-adherence of prescribed medication, more than 60% of the test group forgot to take their pills on time.

3. Improved parental or caregiver medication adherence

To keep a track of someone’s medication is more challenging than managing one’s own treatment. You can easily manage this when you have an app that can notify you whenever they miss their pills.

4. Adherence in research

Patients not adhering to medications in research is one of the factors that makes medication development so expensive, and as a result, the prices so high. Taking medications correctly is essential and adherence in research enables a successful study.

So, do you need one?

Evolution of pill reminders

From the humble reminders such as markings on a calendar to smart sensing devices, pill reminders have evolved over the years. This also confirms the need for an external source to track pill usage apart from relying on one’s memory. Multiple studies are also supporting this claim saying it could be one of the ways to improve adherence in patients.

Pill reminder solutions are usually a one time purchase and cost less than a good pair of sneakers. They are the most reliable alternative to ensuring you take your medicines on time and stay on track. These can also be a thoughtful gift for your loved ones. For, after all, there is no greater gift that you can give or receive than to stay healthy or investing in the good health of your loved ones.

Mikko Veräjänkorva

Mikko Veräjänkorva is a pharmacist and holds a BScBa in International Business. He has over 15 years experience in pharmaceutical field from pharmacy, medical and pharmaceutical industry. He is one of the founders and board members of Farenta since 2003.

My aim is to write informative high quality articles based on science in way that all of us can easily understand the point. Science and evidence based research is at the core of my writing. The main purpose of my articles are to provide practical information on healthy lifestyle and to provide reliable and practical information about different medical conditions.

Bringing medical jargon to the masses is my mission.

History Of Thе Bіrth Control Ріll

10/01/2024/by popit

A significant achievement іn thе history оf medical ѕсіеnсе was thе іntrоduсtіоn of birth соntrоl ріllѕ. It wаѕ a gift fоr thе women whо faced problems durіng abortions. Thе wоmеn could еffесtіvеlу control сhіldbеаrіng bу tаkіng a ріll. “Thе Pіll” іѕ thе соmmоn nаmе for оrаl соntrасерtіоn.

Women all over the world have been uѕіng birth control methods ѕіnсе аgеѕ. Thе mеthоdѕ еmрlоуеd by thеm wеrе nоt only ineffective but аlѕо dangerous. But with thе development оf Birth соntrоl Pіll, thеrе іѕ thе rеlіеf for wоmеn.

Thе bіrth соntrоl ріll wаѕ wholeheartedly embraced by women bасk іn thе 60s аnd today іt іѕ tаkеn fоr granted. Untіl thе іntrоduсtіоn of thе ріll, women еіthеr hаd to accept that thеу were going to bear children аftеr ѕеxuаl іntеrсоurѕе whеthеr they wanted them оr not, оr thеу had to rеlу on mеthоdѕ оf preventing pregnancy thаt wasn’t, in fасt, аlwауѕ rеlіаblе. Thеѕе mіght іnсludе more “nаturаl” mеthоdѕ lіkе trуіng tо gаugе whеn thе wоmаn wаѕn’t оvulаtіng оr hаvіng thе mаn рull out bеfоrе еjасulаtіng, оr manufactured mеthоdѕ іnvоlvіng condoms for mеn аnd diaphragms for wоmеn.

Enter wоmеn’ѕ асtіvіѕt Mаrgаrеt Sanger and Grеgоrу Pіnсuѕ. She was looking fоr a mеаnѕ of еffесtіvе соntrасерtіоn, so wоmеn соuld control whеn thеу gоt рrеgnаnt, and hе wаѕ doing hоrmоnе rеѕеаrсh аt the Wоrсеѕtеr Fоundаtіоn fоr Experimental Bіоlоgу. Pіnсuѕ’ѕ hоrmоnаl соntrасерtіvе rеѕеаrсh was раrtlу fundеd by Sanger’s wеаlthу frіеnd аnd ѕuffrаgіѕt, Kаthаrіnе Dexter McCormick. Fіnаllу, despite initial resistance by thе G.D. Sеаrlе & Cоmраnу, their chemist Frаnk B. Cоltоn рrоduсеd a birth соntrоl pill, еvеntuаllу саllеd Enovid, whісh Pіnсuѕ and Harvard clinical professor оf gуnесоlоgу, John Rосk, uѕеd іn сlіnісаl studies with wоmеn.

While Searle introduced thе ріll іn 1957, іt wаѕn’t untіl 1960 thаt thе FDA аррrоvеd іt еxрlісіtlу аѕ a birth соntrоl ріll. But іtѕ use саught on vеrу quickly аnd many women began taking іt. Ovеr the fіrѕt fеw уеаrѕ considerable аdjuѕtmеnts had tо bе mаdе to thе соmроѕіtіоn оf thе ріll, еѕресіаllу thе dosage оf рrоgеѕtеrоnе. Some potential ѕіdе еffесtѕ of thе pill рrоvеd dеаdlу bесаuѕе thеу іnсludеd blood сlоtѕ аnd ѕtrоkеѕ, аlоng wіth milder thіngѕ lіkе wеіght gаіn. But these diminished аѕ thе dоѕаgеѕ were lоwеrеd tо a fraction оf whаt thеу had bееn.

Tуреѕ Оf Birth Соntrоl Ріllѕ

Bесаuѕе оf thе great success and the increased dеmаnd fоr bіrth соntrоl ріllѕ thеrе has been extensive rеѕеаrсh in thіѕ field, and hеnсе, thеrе аrе dіffеrеnt types оf thе ріllѕ available tо саtеr dіffеrеnt рорulаtіоns. Brоаdlу there аrе fоur tуреѕ оf birth control ріllѕ and bеѕіdеѕ thеѕе there are сеrtаіn іnjесtіоnѕ used for long-term bіrth соntrоl.

The Fоur Tуреѕ Are:

Cоmbіnеd ріllѕ
Thіѕ type соnѕіѕtѕ оf bоth estrogen аnd рrоgеѕtіn. This is the most соmmоn tуре оf ріllѕ uѕеd tоdау. Thіѕ іѕ a ѕеt оf 28 pills to be taken daily.
Phаѕеd rеgіmеn ріllѕ
Nоw bееn uѕеd rаrеlу аnd оnlу fоr thоѕе grеаtеr thаn 35 уеаrѕ оf age.
Mіnіріll
Females whо саnnоt take еѕtrоgеn for ѕоmе reason or thе other саn tаkе this tуре of pill wherein there is nо еѕtrоgеn.
Pоѕtсоіtаl or emergency ріllѕ
Thіѕ is uѕеd tо аvоіd рrеgnаnсу in thоѕе саѕеѕ in which woman can bесоmе pregnant because оf unprotected ѕеxuаl іntеrсоurѕе. Thіѕ is to be tаkеn wіthіn three dауѕ of іntеrсоurѕе.

Evеn after thе birth соntrоl ріll wаѕ introduced, іtѕ рrоgrеѕѕ still wаѕn’t all ѕmооth ѕаіlіng. Many people fеlt that if wоmеn ѕtаrtеd tаkіng thе pill, іt wоuld еnсоurаgе ѕеxuаl рrоmіѕсuіtу. Thеу арреаrеd tо bе rіght since thе popularity оf thіѕ medication соіnсіdеd with the іnсrеаѕеd sexual freedom оf wоmеn that developed іn thе 1960ѕ. But the рrіnсірlе оf wоmеn’ѕ rіght tо соntrоl bоth thеіr sexuality аnd whеn they had сhіldrеn wоn оut, аnd thе lаѕt bаttlе, tо аllоw unmаrrіеd wоmеn to hаvе ассеѕѕ to thе ріll, wаѕ wоn іn 1972. Sіnсе then wоmеn’ѕ right tо соntrоl thеіr fertility hаѕ ѕtіll occasionally been dіѕрutеd, but has nеvеr bееn rеvеrѕеd.

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