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Difference?
Is there a difference between
- THE pill
- The contraceptive pill
Regardless if they are the same or different - they both delay your period right?
I just need some information on their REAL purpose , and if there is a difference etc etc.
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The pill is also called the contraceptive pill and the hormonal birth control pill. They're all the exact same thing (of course, there are different "brands" of the pill though).
The pill actually prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs by changing your hormonal balance. The body then thinks that it has already released an egg so it doesn't do it "again". Many people get confused with this and think it means that the pill "tricks" your body into thinking you are pregnant--that is NOT true. It "tricks" your body into believing that an egg was released and that's about it.
So, your body then doesn't release the egg that is to be fertilized by sperm. Then the issue is having your period--without the egg being released, how would your body know when to shed your uterine lining, right? (meaning: period)
If you take your hormonal birth control pill correctly--at the same time each and every day--then the hormone balance SHOULD be enough to prevent the egg from releasing. Now, there are always accidents where the body releases another anyway, the hormones are not enough for your particular body, or maybe you've been experiencing an abundance of stress and it's throw your body off. Any way it is, by taking the pill the goal is to keep your hormone levels fairly stable throughout the month. Instead of having a sudden drop (when the body naturally releases the egg) it gradually drops so that the body thinks the releasing of said egg has already been done.
Now, as fertile females we MUST have a period on time or it can hurt our bodies in the end. Simply put, our uterine lining is healthier by being shed regularly.
So, during the last week of your pills (typically they are colored something different from the other pills) your hormone level drops dramatically. This spurs your body into thinking, "OH! That egg we released early is ready to be expelled! It's been long enough now!"
Sometimes this also causes your ovaries to release an egg. Remember, the hormonal birth control pills is only actually about 92% effective, with TYPICAL usage, on preventing pregnancy. There are always "accidents" with the pill, you see. When this happens, the woman MAY experience "break-through-bleeding" during the time of her cycle where there shouldn't be a period.
Now, if you had your period--naturally, without the pill--every 20 days then the pill will make your time between that ~28 days or so then. If you were having your period every 45 days then it will make your period about ~28 days then. See, it just REGULATES the shedding of the uterine lining. It doesn't necessarily lengthen or shorten your period times.
Another reason that people take the pill is if they have a growing cyst on an ovary. When you allow the ovary to rest and stop having to release eggs for a short period of time the cyst will typically shrink.
Another reason why people take the pill is if they have horrible menstrual cramps. Cramps are caused by your body trying to release and expel your uterine lining. When you take the pill, your uterine lining becomes thinner from the hormones. This makes your body able to release it without less discomfort. Personally, it NEVER made my cramps just go away.
So, the pill is for preventing pregnancy, reduce cyst sizes, and lessening the severity of menstrual cramps. That's really about it.
There is also another pill, typically referred to as the "mini-pill" (or Progesterone-Only Oral Contraceptives). These pills are only about 82% effective on preventing pregnancy with typical usage. The only think they do is cause the mucus in your vaginal area, cervix, and uterus to become thicker. This slows the egg down from being released from the fallopian tubes on time and the sperm from being able to swim quickly enough (within their lifespan, as they do not live forever) to reach the released egg. Periods are not regulated with this and the egg is always naturally released.
The last pill that I'm aware of is the "morning-after" pill or the emergency contraceptive. This gives the body a very quick burst of high hormone levels, resulting in it being forced to expel the uterine lining. This is used for when a woman feels she may have been impregnated--pretty much it's an early, quick abortion because if the egg has been fertilized then it is discarded before it has a chance to grow properly. The effectiveness ranges from 70% - 85%, depending on many factors.
If you have any more questions please feel free to ask me! :)
P.S. Different "brands" of the pill work, pretty much, in the same way. Some of them use different hormones, some of them have a slightly longer time between periods, some of them drop the hormones more than others, etc. They all operate in, pretty much, the same way.
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