Oral Contraceptive Pills
Birth control pills, also called oral contraceptives, are divided in three types: combined estrogen-progesterone, progesterone-only, and continuous or extended use pill. For approximately 25% of women this is a method of choice for a birth control. However, about 14% use them for non-contraceptive reasons such as: menstrual pain, irregular menstruation, fibroids, endometriosis-related pain, and menstrual-related migraines. FDA has even formally approved some pill brands for acne treatment. Most frequently formulations of progesterone-only pills have drospirenone or norethindrone. Combined medications include estrogen and a different generation of progestin. Contraceptives can be prescribed as a cyclic, extended cyclic or continuous dosing administration. All the above mentioned formulations have significant drug interactions, and hence patient medication history should be taken in consideration before prescribing contraceptives. Detailed review by the link.
