Now there are several types of birth control.
I am on the pill. Which gives me 3 weeks off and 1 week on. Even in this type there are several different kinds that give varying levels of hormones. All I can really remember is that my body tricks itself into thinking its pregnant for a while so I don't ovulate. So when I went to go start reading this I realized I did not know the actual chemical workings of how the pill works. I was ashamed of myself, bad chemist, bad pharmacy tech, So I went to reading. Really the best answers I found were at Ask Alice. Below is her response.
How do birth control pills work?
—Woman
Dear Woman,
Birth control pills prevent pregnancy through several mechanisms, mainly by stopping ovulation. If no egg is released, there is nothing to be fertilized by sperm, and the woman cannot get pregnant. Most birth control pills contain synthetic forms of two female hormones: estrogen and progestin. These synthetic hormones stabilize a woman's natural hormone levels, and prevent estrogen from peaking mid-cycle. Without the estrogen bump, the pituitary gland does not release other hormones that normally cause the ovaries to release mature eggs.
Specifically, synthetic estrogen in the pill works to:
Stop the pituitary gland from producing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in order to prevent ovulation
Support the uterine lining (endometrium) to prevent breakthrough bleeding mid-cycle
Meanwhile, synthetic progestin works to:
Stop the pituitary gland from producing LH in order to prevent egg release
Make the uterine lining inhospitable to a fertilized egg
Partially limit the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg
Thicken the cervical mucus to hinder sperm movement (although this effect may not be key to preventing pregnancy)
There are two kinds of hormonal birth control pills: (1) the combination pill which contains estrogen and progestin and (2) the progestin-only pill (known as the minipill). Combo pills are significantly more effective than progestin-only pills and have the added benefit of less breakthrough bleeding. However, some women cannot tolerate estrogen and prefer the progestin-only pill. Both types of pills are available in several different brands, each of which have slightly different blends of hormones.
These two kinds of hormonal birth control are available in other forms besides pills. The combination formula is also available as a patch and a vaginal ring. The progestin-only formula is also available in intramuscular shots (Depo-Provera), an implant (Implanon), in intrauterine devices (the Mirena IUD).
Some women may prefer these other forms of hormonal birth control because they can be taken less often (and consequently are easier to remember). While birth control pills must be taken everyday, the patch is only applied once per week, the vaginal ring only once per month, and the intramuscular shot only once every 3 months. An IUD is inserted into the uterus and can prevent pregnancy for five years or more. In the US, hormonal birth control pills and devices are only available by prescription. Women may want to ask a gynecologist or women's health care provider for information about different kinds of birth control, including which methods would be best for them personally. Students at Columbia can make an appointment at Primary Care Medical Services by calling x4-2284 or visiting Open Communicator.
If you choose birth control pills (which are sometimes the cheapest form of birth control), it is very important to take the pills at the same time everyday. This creates a more stable level of hormones in your body. When you forget your pill (or take it 3 to 4 hours late or more), this causes a dip in your body's levels of the birth control hormones. If you forget your pill one day, you may need to take two pills the next day, which will cause a spike in your body's levels of the birth control hormones. To maximize protection against pregnancy and to minimize side effects, pick a time you are likely to remember (maybe first thing in the morning or right before bed) and take your pill this same time everyday.
Finally, birth control pills traditionally come in packs of 21 or 28 pills. Both types of packs contain 21 active pills. The 7 extra pills in the 28-pill pack are placebo pills which are there to remind you to continue taking one pill everyday and to remind you when to begin the next pack. Whether you take placebo pills or simply wait 7 days to start the next pack, the 7-day break from hormones triggers monthly bleeding that mimics a woman's menstrual period. Women are still protected from pregnancy during this time as long as they have taken all the active pills consistently and correctly. For more details, take a look at Why do I menstruate while on birth control? in Go Ask Alice! archive for Sexual Health.
New brands of birth control pills have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (like Seasonale) which allow women to have their "period" fewer times per year. Seasonale packs come with 84 active pills followed by a placebo week so the woman bleeds only 4 times per year. For more info, check out Delaying your period through oral contraceptives in the Go Ask Alice! Sexual Health archive. If you're interested in using hormonal birth control, speak with your health care provider about which method would suit you best. Take care.
(http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0663.html)
I personally am on the 28 day cycle ones with both types of hormones. The first month was rough but I am happy now.
WARNING BELOW IS NOT A SEXY STORY>
Scary story from my first month on my pill. I though I was having a miscarriage, honest. I actually called in to work sick. Something I never do. I felt nauseas and gross all morning. This was in the days when I started work at 3pm. I took a bath to relax my back muscles which were freaking out with cramps. I past a blood clot. Which are pretty normal in smaller sizes. There are parts of the lining. This was was huge. Bigger than the size of my palm. And it was not just the normal red color. There was also like clear and skin toned. I was sure I was dying. So I calmly freaked out. Now that may be an understatement. Its been over a year and I still remember that gut wrenching fear. I got dressed called to work sick. And then called my mom. (No answer) Then spent like 2 hours scoring the internet to see if I was having a miscarriage. Finally I grew a pair and called my gyno. She calmly let me know I was no dying in fact that it's quite normal for the first couple months. That if it does not go away after 3 we will change types of Birth control. I calmed down a lot after that. Then end.
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