Take-aways from this episode:
-Most birth controls pills are a combination of an estrogen and a progesterone
-The main effect of the estrogen component is to stop your body from releasing an egg (inhibit ovulation)
-The main effect of the progesterone component is to change the environment of your uterus to make it a poor environment for sperm and/or a fertilized egg (effects on cervical mucus and endometrial lining)
-Side effects can depend on the amount of estrogen and progesterone components in the product you are taking
-SERIOUS side effects you need to be aware of include signs of blood clots (pain/swelling in legs, shortness of breath, chest pains) or stroke (sudden onset severe headache, blurry vision, facial droop)
-Progestin-only pills NEED to be taken at the same time every day (if you miss by 3 hours, consider it a missed dose)
-Antibiotics can interact with birth control pills - the most conservative strategy is to use a back-up method while on the antibiotic and for 7 days after
-Hormonal contraceptives contain synthetic hormones that stop your body from making its own natural hormones. The bleed you have during your “off week” or “placebo week” is withdrawal from the synthetic hormones, which is different than your natural period when you go through your true menstrual cycle

I will be hosting a virtual class called “Know Your Body with Natural Family Planning” on Tues 6/23/20 at 7:30pm
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/nfppharmworkshop

Interested in a complete medication/supplement (including birth control) review with Emily, the NFP Pharmacist -OR- do you want to learn how to prevent pregnancy naturally? Book at www.calendly.com/nfppharmacist

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