What is Combination Birth Control Pills? Purpose, Levels/Procedure & Result

Combination birth control pills are oral contraceptives that contain two types of hormones: estrogen and progestin. These synthetic hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by stopping your ovaries from releasing eggs and making it harder for sperm to reach any egg that might be released.

Think of these pills as a daily medication that gives your body consistent hormone levels to prevent pregnancy. Most combination pills come in monthly packs with 21 active hormone pills and 7 inactive pills, though some formulations may vary.

What is combination birth control pills?

Combination birth control pills are medications that contain both estrogen and progestin hormones. These hormones are synthetic versions of the natural hormones your body produces during your menstrual cycle.

The estrogen component is usually ethinyl estradiol, while the progestin can be one of several types like norethindrone, levonorgestrel, or drospirenone. Different brands use different combinations and amounts of these hormones.

These pills work by preventing ovulation, which means your ovaries don't release an egg each month. They also thicken cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to swim through, and thin the lining of your uterus to make implantation less likely.

Why is combination birth control pills done?

The primary purpose of combination birth control pills is to prevent pregnancy. When taken correctly, they're over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, making them one of the most reliable forms of reversible contraception.

Beyond pregnancy prevention, these pills offer several other health benefits. Many women use them to regulate irregular periods, reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, and manage painful periods that interfere with daily activities.

Healthcare providers also prescribe combination pills to treat conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis-related pain, and hormonal acne. Some women find these pills help reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms and provide more predictable menstrual cycles.

What is the procedure for combination birth control pills?

Taking combination birth control pills follows a straightforward daily routine. You'll take one pill at the same time every day, preferably with food to reduce any stomach upset.

Most combination pills come in 28-day packs. Here's how the typical cycle works:

• Days 1-21: Take active hormone pills daily
• Days 22-28: Take inactive placebo pills or no pills
• During the inactive week: You'll likely have a withdrawal bleed similar to a period
• Start your next pack immediately after finishing the current one

Some newer formulations have 24 active pills and 4 inactive pills, or even continuous dosing with no inactive pills. Your healthcare provider will explain the specific schedule for your prescribed brand.

How to prepare for your combination birth control pills?

Before starting combination birth control pills, you'll need a consultation with your healthcare provider. They'll review your medical history, current medications, and any conditions that might affect pill safety.

Your preparation involves discussing your health background honestly. Be sure to mention if you have a history of blood clots, stroke, heart disease, liver problems, or certain cancers, as these conditions may affect whether combination pills are right for you.

Your provider will also ask about your smoking habits, blood pressure, and family medical history. Women over 35 who smoke may need alternative contraceptive methods due to increased risks of blood clots and cardiovascular problems.

You might need a physical exam including blood pressure measurement and possibly blood tests. Some providers also perform pelvic exams, though this isn't always necessary before starting birth control pills.

How to read your combination birth control pills?

Reading your combination birth control pills involves understanding the hormone levels and timing. Each active pill contains specific amounts of estrogen and progestin, measured in micrograms.

Monophasic pills contain the same hormone levels in every active pill throughout the cycle. Multiphasic pills vary hormone levels across different weeks, with some pills containing higher or lower amounts of hormones.

The pill pack will show you which pills to take each day, often marked with days of the week. Active pills are usually colored, while inactive pills are typically white or a different color to help you distinguish them.

Your pill effectiveness depends on taking them consistently. Missing pills or taking them at very different times each day can reduce their contraceptive effectiveness and may cause breakthrough bleeding.

How to fix your combination birth control pills level?

If you're experiencing side effects from your current combination pills, your healthcare provider can adjust your hormone levels. This might involve switching to a different brand with different hormone types or concentrations.

For women experiencing breakthrough bleeding, your provider might recommend a pill with higher estrogen levels or a different progestin type. If you're having mood changes or weight gain, switching to a pill with a different progestin might help.

Sometimes the solution involves changing from a multiphasic pill to a monophasic pill, or vice versa. Your provider will consider your specific symptoms and health history when making these adjustments.

It's important to give each new pill formulation at least three months to see how your body responds. Some side effects improve as your body adjusts to the hormones.

What is the best combination birth control pills level?

The best combination birth control pill varies significantly from person to person. What works perfectly for one woman may cause side effects for another, so there's no universal "best" option.

Low-dose pills containing 20-35 micrograms of estrogen are often preferred because they reduce the risk of side effects while maintaining effectiveness. These pills work well for most women and have fewer risks of blood clots and other complications.

For women with heavy periods or significant PMS symptoms, pills with specific progestins like drospirenone might be more beneficial. Women with acne often do well with pills containing progestins that have anti-androgenic effects.

Your healthcare provider will consider your age, health history, lifestyle, and specific needs when recommending the most suitable combination pill for you.

What are the risk factors for low combination birth control pills effectiveness?

Several factors can reduce the effectiveness of combination birth control pills. The most common reason for decreased effectiveness is inconsistent pill-taking, including missing pills or taking them at very different times each day.

Certain medications can interfere with birth control pills, making them less effective. These include some antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, and supplements like St. John's wort.

Here are the main factors that can reduce pill effectiveness:

• Missing pills or taking them inconsistently
• Vomiting within 2-3 hours of taking a pill
• Severe diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
• Taking certain medications that interfere with hormones
• Being significantly overweight (though pills still provide protection)
• Smoking, which can affect hormone metabolism

If any of these situations occur, you should use backup contraception and consult your healthcare provider about whether you need emergency contraception.

Is it better to have high or low combination birth control pills hormones?

Lower hormone doses are generally preferred when they provide adequate contraceptive protection and symptom control. Most modern combination pills use the lowest effective hormone doses to minimize side effects while maintaining effectiveness.

Low-dose pills reduce the risk of serious side effects like blood clots, high blood pressure, and stroke. They're also less likely to cause nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes that some women experience with higher hormone doses.

However, some women need higher hormone doses for specific medical reasons. Women with breakthrough bleeding on low-dose pills might need slightly higher estrogen levels for better cycle control.

Your healthcare provider will start you on the lowest dose that meets your needs and adjust if necessary based on how you respond to the medication.

What are the possible complications of low combination birth control pills hormones?

Low-dose combination birth control pills can sometimes cause breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods. This usually improves after your body adjusts to the hormones, typically within the first three months.

Some women experience more frequent or irregular periods with very low-dose pills. While this isn't dangerous, it can be inconvenient and may require switching to a slightly higher dose formulation.

Other potential issues with low-dose pills include:

• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods
• Shorter or lighter periods that some women find concerning
• Reduced effectiveness if pills are missed or taken inconsistently
• Less improvement in acne or PMS symptoms compared to higher-dose pills
• Possible mood changes as your body adjusts to lower hormone levels

Most of these complications are temporary and resolve as your body adapts to the hormones. If problems persist beyond three months, your provider can adjust your prescription.

What are the possible complications of high combination birth control pills hormones?

Higher-dose combination birth control pills carry increased risks of serious side effects, particularly blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. These risks are still relatively low but increase with higher estrogen levels.

Women taking higher-dose pills are more likely to experience bothersome side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, and headaches. Some women also report weight gain, though research shows this isn't consistently linked to birth control pills.

Serious complications of high-dose combination pills include:

• Blood clots in legs, lungs, or brain
• Stroke, especially in women who smoke or have high blood pressure
• Heart attack risk, particularly in women with other cardiovascular risk factors
• High blood pressure that develops while taking the pills
• Liver problems, including rare liver tumors
• Gallbladder disease

Most women tolerate even higher-dose pills well, but these risks explain why providers prefer prescribing the lowest effective dose for each individual woman.

When should I see a doctor for combination birth control pills?

You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience signs of serious complications while taking combination birth control pills. These warning signs require urgent medical attention and shouldn't be ignored.

Call your provider right away if you have severe leg pain or swelling, sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, vision changes, or severe abdominal pain. These symptoms could indicate blood clots or other serious complications.

Here are situations that require immediate medical attention:

• Sudden severe headache or vision changes
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Severe leg pain, swelling, or warmth
• Severe abdominal pain
• Yellowing of skin or eyes
• Severe mood changes or depression

You should also schedule routine follow-up appointments to monitor your blood pressure and overall health while taking combination pills. Most providers recommend check-ups every 6-12 months.