Birth control pills
or oral contraceptives are pills taken by women to prevent pregnancy. These pills must be prescribed by a physician. Birth control pills prevent pregnancy by combining the hormones estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. Birth control pills are highly effective and are typically taken on a daily basis. A woman can decide for various reasons to switch to a different brand of oral contraceptive.
Birth control pills have the ability to cause a number of side effects in certain women, according to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, such as dizziness, irregular menstrual cycles, nausea, mood changes, and weight gain. In rare cases, they can lead to high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. If these symptoms are bothersome, you may want to discuss the possibility of switching to another brand of pills with your doctor.
Women sometimes desire to change brands of oral contraceptives due to appealing benefits by another manufacturer. For example, some birth control pills claim to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition characterized by severe emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms. Women who have determined that PMDD is a concern for them may wish to change brands of medication.
Other birth control pills promise to cut back menstrual cycles from 12 per year to only 4 periods a year. Like other oral contraceptives, this brand of birth control pills is 99% effective when taken as directed, and many active women are enticed by the claim of less frequent periods.
Instructions
1. Find a physician. Women typically visit their OB/GYN to discuss oral contraceptives. If you don't already have one in mind, you can check with your local hospital for a list of gynecologists. If you do not have medical insurance, you can seek medical care from facilities such as Planned Parenthood.
2. Consult with your doctor. Once you have found a health care provider that you are comfortable with, discuss with him or her symptoms from your current medication that are of concern to you. The doctor will be able to recommend a birth control pill that will address your symptoms.
3. Get your prescription filled. All oral contraceptives require a prescription from a doctor. You can speak with your pharmacist about insurance coverage when you bring in your prescription.
Tags: oral contraceptives, control pills, with your, Birth control pills, control pills
