Dear Aspirant,

Oral Contraceptives are birth control medications. They are meant to prevent pregnancy and can be used for various other purposes as well, if required. They basically consist of combinations of hormones oestrogen and progestin. This brings about changes in the development of the egg and also affects the lining which is formed when the egg is released. That is why oral contraceptives are also used in cases like PCOD to regularise periods as they directly affect the pituitary glands in cases like these. The pills also have different types:

• Monophasic pills contain equal amounts of oestrogen and progestin and is to be taken daily for the desired effects.
• Biphasic pills is based on a 21 days cycle where the dosage increases for shedding of the uterus lining leading to a menstrual cycle.
• Triphasic has varying levels of oestrogen content.

These pills often account for a large number of side effects such has nausea, headache, weight gain, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding and mood swings. This happens due to a sudden change in the level of hormones.

Hope this helps. All the best!

Hello!!

The combined oral contraceptive pill, often referred to as the birth control pill or colloquially as "the pill", is a type of birth control that is designed to be taken orally by women. It includes a combination of an estrogen and a progestogen.