From the Guidelines
An Oral Contraceptive (OC) pill is a type of birth control medication that is taken by mouth to prevent pregnancy.
Definition and Types
It is defined as a medication that is used to prevent pregnancy, and it is typically taken daily, with the most common types being combined hormonal contraceptives and progestin-only pills 1.
- The combined hormonal contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestin, while
- the progestin-only pills contain only progestin.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of OC pills in preventing pregnancy is high, with a typical use failure rate of 8% and a perfect use failure rate of 0.3% 1.
Comparison to Other Methods
Compared to other methods of contraception, such as spermicides, withdrawal, and fertility awareness-based methods, OC pills are more effective in preventing pregnancy 1.
Important Considerations
It is essential to take OC pills consistently and correctly to achieve maximum effectiveness, and women should be counseled about the potential risks and benefits of using OC pills, including the increased risk of blood clots and stroke 1.
Real-World Application
In real-world practice, OC pills are a popular and effective method of contraception, and healthcare providers should be knowledgeable about the different types of OC pills available and how to counsel women on their use 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The initiation of a desogestrel 75 µg progestin-only pill (POP) the day after ellaintake during the follicular phase was associated with a higher incidence of ovulation in the six days following ellaintake compared to an ella-only treatment group, and a relatively slower onset (3 to 4 days) of thickened cervical mucus compared to a group given desogestrel without prior ellaintake (2 days), suggesting an effect of prior use of ellaon the ability of desogestrel to inhibit mucus permeability. When a COC containing ethinyl estradiol 30 µg + levonorgestrel 150 µg was started the day after ellaintake during the follicular phase, elladid not interfere with the COC’s ability to suppress ovarian activity, as assessed by measurement of follicle size via transvaginal ultrasound, combined with serum progesterone and estradiol levels: ovarian activity was suppressed in 61.5% (24/39) of subjects receiving ellaplus COC and 62.2% (23/37) of subjects receiving a placebo plus the COC.
An Oral Contraceptive (OC) pill is a type of medication that is taken by mouth to prevent pregnancy. It typically contains hormones such as estrogen and progestin, which work to suppress ovarian activity and prevent ovulation. Examples of OC pills mentioned in the label include:
- Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC) pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin
- Progestin-only pills (POP), which contain only progestin. 2
From the Research
Definition of Oral Contraceptive (OC) Pill
- An Oral Contraceptive (OC) pill is a form of hormonal contraception that works by suppressing ovulation to prevent pregnancy 3.
- The most widely used form of hormonal contraception is the combination oral contraceptive (OC), which can be monophasic or multiphasic, providing the same or varying doses of estrogen and progestin throughout a 21- or 28-day cycle 3.
Types of Oral Contraceptives
- Combination OCs contain both estrogen and progestin, which suppress the mid-cycle surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to prevent ovulation 3.
- Progestin-only pills, such as norgestrel, are also available and have been approved for over-the-counter use in the United States 4, 5.
Mechanism of Action
- The progestin and estrogen components of OCs work together to decidualize the endometrial bed and suppress mitotic activity, making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant 3.
- The overall effect of OCs is to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation and making the uterine environment inhospitable to implantation 3.
Safety and Efficacy
- OCs have been shown to be effective in preventing pregnancy, with a Pearl Index estimated at 4.4 (95% CI, 1.9-8.8) for progestin-only pills 4.
- However, OCs may be associated with increased risk in certain patients and are contraindicated in others, such as those with current breast cancer 4, 5.
- The safety profile of OCs has been extensively studied, with most studies showing that they are safe and effective when used as directed 3, 6, 7.