Discuss Progestin-only Oral Contraceptives as a method of family planning and give its pros and cons

      

Discuss Progestin-only Oral Contraceptives as a method of family planning and give its pros and cons

  

Answers


Wilfred
Women who use Progestin-only Oral Contraceptives should swallow a pill every day to prevent pregnancy. It contains very small amounts of only one kind of hormone, a progestin. Again, they contain only one-half to one tenth as much progestin as combined oral contraceptives. They do not contain estrogen. These are known as progestin-only pills (POPs), POCs and mini pills. Progestin-only contraceptives are also best recommended for breast-feeding women. They do not reduce milk production.

- How do they work?
Progestin works in a manner similar to breast-feeding.
It thickens the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to pass through.
It reduces ovulation (release of eggs from ovaries) to half of that of menstrual cycle.
Progestin-only oral contraceptives do not disrupt existing pregnancy.

- Advantages:
1. It can be used by nursing mothers starting 6 weeks after childbirth. Neither the quantity nor the quality of milk is harmed. (In contrast, combined oral contraceptives can slightly reduce milk production).
2. It does not increase risk of estrogen-related complications, such as heart attack or stroke.
3. Women take one pill every day without break. It is easier to understand than taking 21-day combined pills
4. It can be very effective during breast-feeding. Also there is less risk of progestin related side effects, like weight gain, acne etc. than with combined oral contraceptives.

- Disadvantages:
1. Women not breast-feeding may experience common side effects. Changes in menstrual cycle are normal, including irregular periods, spotting or bleeding between periods (common), and amenorrhea (missed periods).
2. Less common side effects include headaches and breast tenderness.
3. Should be taken at about the same time each day to work best. For women not breast-feeding, even taking a pill more than a few hours late, increases the risk of pregnancy, and missing two or more pills increases the risk greatly.
Wilfykil answered the question on March 13, 2019 at 12:22


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