In the article, we will figure out which is better - birth control pills or a spiral.
The issue of preventing an unwanted pregnancy sooner or later is decided by every woman. It is very important that contraception is as safe and reliable as possible. The most effective methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy today are considered hormones and intrauterine systems. Which is better - a spiral or birth control pills? To understand which option to choose from the two most reliable, you need to understand the pros and cons of these methods.
Tablets: principle of action
Oral contraceptives contain estrogens, which are responsible for pregnancy. Hormone-containing contraceptives can block ovulation. This eliminates the possibility of fertilization.
Oral contraceptives have an effect on the uterine mucus, which thickens and becomes a kind of barrier to the penetration of sperm inside. Even if they managed to penetrate the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes, pregnancy also does not occur. Under the influence of hormonal agents, the uterine membrane becomes thinner, which makes it impossible to fix the embryo on it.
Varieties of pills
There are several varieties of such contraceptives, the principle of action of which is slightly different. Tablets are divided:
The combined ones contain two types of hormones: progestin and estrogen. They are low, micro and high dose, which are used for different categories of women - young and nulliparous or adults with children.
Gestagenic medicines contain only progestin. They are prescribed if there are contraindications to the use of combination drugs. They can be prescribed even to lactating women.
Many people wonder what is best - birth control pills or a spiral.
Pros and Cons of Pills
Oral contraceptives have many advantages, so they have gained immense popularity. These benefits include:
- high reliability - 99%;
- universality - such tools can be used at any age;
- stabilization of the menstrual cycle and hormonal background - tablets relieve severe premenstrual syndrome, stabilize the cycle, eliminate menstrual pain, improve the condition of the skin and hair;
- reducing the risk of certain diseases - tumor formations in the genitals, endometriosis;
- do not affect reproductive function (cancellation can become pregnant);
- protection against ectopic pregnancy;
- the convenience of use.
The disadvantages of the tablets are:
- reception features - daily, at the same time, and if you violate this schedule, the risk of conception increases;
- multiple contraindications - can not be used for problems with the liver, kidneys, heart, with high blood pressure, smoking;
- side effects - such contraceptives can cause very unpleasant symptoms, such as spotting in the middle of the cycle, headaches, apathy, decreased libido, increased appetite, fluid retention, etc .;
- decreased effectiveness when taking antibiotics.
Spiral principle
The intrauterine device is recommended only for women who have given birth, since it can thin the endometrium, which increases the risk of miscarriage in those who have not given birth in the future or even lead to the development of infertility.
The principle of the spiral is that it prevents the implantation of an egg in the uterine cavity. A foreign body provokes a thickening of the uterine tissues, which makes it impossible for them to introduce a fetal egg.
Modern copper spirals are oriented to spermicidal effect. They contain hormonal substances that thicken the fluid of the cervical canal, inhibiting sperm activity. The presence of such substances increases the contraceptive effect of the spiral. Such funds are not inferior in effectiveness to COCs, however, such systems do not protect against sexual infections and are relevant only if there is a permanent sexual partner.
Sometimes women switch to birth control pills after the spiral and vice versa.
Advantages and disadvantages of a spiral
The spiral is a fairly popular method of contraception. Many women choose it because of the many advantages, which include:
- high efficiency - the intrauterine device excludes conception by 97%;
- long period of action - three to five years;
- convenience and profitability - the spiral does not need to be constantly bought, to follow a certain schedule;
- action without conventions - intrauterine devices do not interact with medications, and a high level of protection does not depend on circumstances;
- does not affect the reproductive function in the future - if after the installation of the system there are no complications, the childbearing function resumes immediately after its removal;
- the spiral can be used immediately after childbirth - it does not affect the lactation process, so it is ideal for lactating women (allowed 6 weeks after a successful birth).
The disadvantages of intrauterine contraception are:
- at the slightest ailment, it is necessary to consult a specialist;
- an increased likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy, since the spiral acts only within the endometrium and the attachment of the egg can occur outside the uterine cavity;
- you need to constantly monitor the position of the system, which is carried out independently by threads. Displacement of the spiral significantly reduces its contraceptive effectiveness;
- unpleasant sensations after installation - at first, menstruation can become very profuse.
The spiral is introduced only in a medical facility. The procedure is carried out by a specialist, but even this is not always a guarantee that the introduction does not entail negative complications. Among them, the most dangerous is the inflammatory process, prolonged bleeding. After this procedure, severe pain can occur, menstrual irregularities are often noted. The occurrence of pathological symptoms is the reason for the removal of a foreign body. An intrauterine device cannot be installed for diseases of the pelvic organs, the presence of benign tumors, pathological secretions of unknown etiology.
Which is better - the Mirena spiral or birth control pills?
Spiral "Mirena"
The intrauterine system Mirena, upon release of the active component (levonorgestrel), produces a gestagenic effect. This substance is released into the uterine cavity, which allows it to be used in low doses. Concentrating in the endometrium, it reduces the sensitivity of progesterone and estrogen receptors, providing a powerful antiproliferative effect and making the uterine muscle layer immune to estradiol.
During use, there is a weak reaction to the presence of a spiral in the uterus and at the same time changes in the endometrium, and as a result of an increase in the viscosity of the cervical secretion, sperm motility is inhibited, their penetration into the uterus is prevented. In some cases, when using such a spiral, inhibition of ovulatory function is observed, however, after extraction in 80% of women, fertilization occurs.
In the first months of application of this spiral, an increase in bleeding is possible. In the future, there is a decrease in the duration of menstrual bleeding and a decrease in their volume. In some cases, bleeding can transform into amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea.
Which is better - birth control pills or spiral?
When choosing a method of contraception, it is important to know which one is the safest and most effective. Only a gynecologist can determine what is best in each individual case, taking into account the pros and cons of both methods of contraception in relation to a particular patient, structural features of the uterus (for a spiral), woman's age, concomitant diseases, etc. You should be aware that nulliparous women are extremely rarely given a spiral, and this is due to the risk of infertility.
Pills should also not be drunk without consulting a doctor. The doctor selects the best option for such funds, taking into account the pros and cons.
Reviews
So, which is better - a spiral or birth control pill according to reviews?
Opinions of women about these methods of contraception are divided. Some people prefer to take hormonal pills, because they believe that the presence of a spiral in the uterus as a foreign body does not bring anything good for women's health, plus there is a chance of an ectopic pregnancy.
Reviews of the spiral or birth control pills should be consulted in advance.
Other women prefer the COC intrauterine device and explain this by the fact that oral agents contain hormones, and this violates the overall balance in the body and can cause a lot of disorders. In addition, this category of women is inconvenient to take pills daily.
We looked at what is best — birth control pills or a spiral.