Referrence:

Oral Contraceptive Pill http://www.contraception.net/oral_pill/index.asp

About the Oral Contraceptive Pill

Oral contraceptive pills, (OCs) are one of the most researched and reliable forms of birth control available. "The pill" has been a popular choice of contraception for women of all ages for the last 40 years! But is the pill right for you or is something else better? In order to make an informed choice you need to answer some important questions:

• Are you considering being sexually active and want a worry free method of birth control?
• Are you looking for a long term or a short-term method of birth control?
• Are you worried about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
• Are you in a stable relationship, or do you have multiple sexual partners?
• Are you comfortable talking to your doctor about birth control?
• Do you have any serious health problems?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you have trouble remembering to take medications on time?
• Would you like a method of birth control that also offers some relief from irregular, or painful periods?

Since the oral contraceptive pill is only available by prescription from your doctor, he or she will help you determine if the pill is right for you. For many women, the pill is the ideal birth control choice. When taken as directed, it offers nearly 100% protection against pregnancy. It is one of the most convenient forms of birth control, and it has many benefits too.

Understanding the female cycle

In order to understand how the oral contraceptive pill works, you need to know something about the female reproductive cycle. From the time of the first menstrual period your body goes through the following process:

• The female ovaries usually release one egg every month
• When the egg is released (ovulation) it makes its way to the uterus through one of the fallopian tubes.
• At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thicker and prepares for pregnancy.
• The fertilization of the egg occurs if sperm enters the egg resulting in pregnancy.
• If there is no fertilization, the uterus sheds its lining and the unfertilized egg resulting in a menstrual period.

Oral contraceptive pills (OCs) are usually made from two types of hormones (estrogen and progestin). They prevent pregnancy by stopping the production and release of eggs from the ovaries.

In the beginning...

The pill is based on a 21-day cycle. You take your pills, every day preferably at the same time for 21 days, then stop for 7 days at which time you should have the so-called withdrawal bleeding. The pill is also available in a 28-day pack which contains 21 pills with hormones and 7 pills without hormones, or placebos. The last 7 pills help to serve as a reminder of when you should start taking a new strip of pills again.

Your doctor or healthcare provider will tell you when to start taking your pills. Here are some helpful hints:

• You can start taking your pill on any of the first 7 days of your menstrual period. Taking your first pill on the first day of your period is a good way to start.
• Always begin by taking the 1^st pill in the packet
• Preferably take your pill at the same time every day - it is easiest to remember. Don't worry if you take your pill a bit sooner or later - it will still be effective!

The following information in this section is intended for U.S. Oral Contraceptives only.

Today's low-dose pills are designed to have less estrogen-related side effects, but they must be taken as directed, in order to prevent pregnancy. Missed pills can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives meaning that every time you miss a pill, there is a higher chance of pregnancy. Remember:

If you miss 1 "active" (white) pill:

1. Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you take 2 pills in one day.
2. You do not have to use a back-up method of birth control if you have sex.

If you miss 2 "active" (white) pills:

1. Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day.
2. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack.
3. You may become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills.
4. You must use a back-up method of birth control such as condoms, spermicides or a contraceptive sponge for those 7 days.

If you miss 2 "active" (white) pills in a row in week 3:

1. If you are a Day 1 starter, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.
2. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
3. You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period two months in a row, call your doctor or health care provider because you might be pregnant.
4. You may become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You must use another form of birth control such as condoms, spermicides or a contraceptive sponge as a backup for those 7 days.

If you miss 3 or more "active (white) pills in a row (during the first 3 weeks):

1. If you are a Day 1 starter, throw out the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
2. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
3. You may not have a period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your doctor or healthcare provider because you might be pregnant.
4. You may become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You must use a back-up method of birth control such as condoms, spermicides or a contraceptive sponge for those 7 days.

Talk to you doctor or healthcare provider if:

• you continuously forget to take your pills.
• you think you are pregnant.
• you are ill and have severe vomiting - your pills may not work as effectively.
• you are taking antibiotics or any medicine for convulsions or seizures. These may also interfere with the pill's effectiveness.

What benefits do Oral Contraceptives (OCs) have?

Most women will enjoy a number of benefits from the oral contraceptive pill. OCs gives you the freedom to have sexual relations at any time of the month without the worry of becoming pregnant.

The pill is an effective, reversible form of birth control which may also have health benefits for many women. Advantages include:

• more regular cycles, less pain and reduced menstrual blood flow.
• improvement in acne.
• lower risk of certain cancers including cancer of the ovaries and endometrium ( the lining of the uterus).
• less benign breast disease.

"Custom tailoring" the time of your period:

Oral contraceptives allow you to determine the time of your periods. If you are going on vacation and don't want a period at this time, you simply skip the hormone-free interval. When you finish your 21 days of hormone pills, you simply start a new 21-pack right away. In the case of biphasic or triphasic pills, remember to continue with the last 7 pills of your strip only!

What are the possible side effects of the Oral Contraceptive (OCs) Pill?

Despite the benefits it offers many women, OCs may nevertheless have side effects. These are usually short-lived and may go away within the first few months of using oral contraceptives. However, you should not stop taking your pills until you have checked with your doctor first. Possible side effects include:

• Breakthrough bleeding or "spotting"

Spotting is not uncommon during the first 3 cycles of OC use. It may take up to 4 cycles for your body to adjust to the hormones. If the problem persists after the 4^th cycle, talk to your doctor.

• Weight change

Minimal weight change may occur within the first few months of using OCs. With today's low-dose pills, however, weight gain should be negligible.
• Dark spots on the face

Also known as "chloasma" dark patches on the face are often a response to the estrogen in OCs. The use of sunscreen may help prevent this problem as sun exposure tends to worsen the problem.
• Nausea

Nausea may occur during the first three cycles of OC use. Taking the pill at bedtime or with food may be helpful.
• Breast tenderness

Breast tenderness is usually nothing to worry about, it will usually improve with time. If you are concerned talk to your doctor.
• Rare warning signs

If you experience any of the following, you should go to a hospital or healthcare facility at once:
• sharp chest pain, coughing of blood, or sudden shortness of breath
• pain in the calf
• crushing pain or heaviness in the chest
• sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, disturbances of vision or speech, weakness of numbness in an arm or leg
• sudden partial or complete loss of vision
• breast lumps
• severe pain or tenderness in the stomach area
• difficulty sleeping, weakness, lack of energy, fatigue, or change in mood
• jaundice or yellowing of the skin or eyeballs frequently accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark colored urine or light colored bowel movements.

Is it true that...?

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the oral contraceptive (OCs) pill. It is natural to have questions when you are weighing all the contraceptive choices that are available to you. The following may provide some of the answers you are looking for:

Does the pill make you fat?

Some women report weight gain with OCs - but then again, others say they've lost weight. Weight gain tends to be associated more with older contraceptive pills, not the newer low-dose OCs which contain smaller amounts of the hormone estrogen. The amount of exercise you get and what you eat are more likely to influence your weight than OCs.

Should women who take the pill have a "rest" from the pill once in awhile?

There is no reason to stop taking the pill unless you want to become pregnant. Doctors recommend that once your system becomes used to the pill you should keep on taking it, not only for continuous protection against pregnancy, but also to avoid irregular periods.

Does the pill protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV?

No. You need to use additional protection such as a latex condom (either a male condom or a female condom) and a spermicide.

Can pill use affect future fertility?

No, the pill does not influence your chances of becoming pregnant. Other factors like age however do influence your fertility.

Organon, an international leader in women's health and one of the first to introduce a safe and effective oral contraceptive product - continues to research and develop new oral contraceptives with a high degree of safety and efficacy. These include:

• Cyclessa® (2001) (only available in the U.S.)
  The first and only low-dose estrogen triphasic contraceptive
   
• Desogen® (1992) (only available in the U.S.)
  The first oral contraceptive in the U.S. to be composed of a "third generation" progestogen, desogestrel.
   
• Lyndiol® (1962)
  Organon's first contraceptive pill
   
• Marvelon® (1981)
  The first "third generation" low-dose contraceptive containing a progestogenic hormone developed exclusively by Organon.
   
• Mercilon® (1988)
  A "third generation" low-dose oral contraceptive with 20 mcg of estrogen.
   
• Gracial® (1992)
  The pill with the unique combiphasic regimen
   
• Desogen® (1992)
  The first oral contraceptive in the U.S. to be composed of a "third generation" progestogen, desogestrel.
   
• Cerazette® (2000)
  The first reliable estrogen-free pill
   
• Laurina® (2001)
  A triphasic combined OC containing an estrogen and progestin presented in three 7-day phases. Laurina may be particularly beneficial to those with oily skin.

Desogen®

Desogen® is a combined oral contraceptive which contains the hormones desogestrel 150 mcg, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg, an estrogen. These hormones are the active ingredients that prevent pregnancy. Desogen® is also a low-dose oral contraceptive and is associated with many health benefits in addition to the prevention of pregnancy. Desogen can help to regulate menstrual irregularities, decrease menstrual pain and blood loss and may also protect against certain cancers including those of the uterus and ovaries.

Cyclessa®

Cyclessa® is a "triphasic" oral contraceptive which means that the hormones contained in the tablets are delivered in three different stages. The tablets combine 25 mcg of the estrogen ethinyl estradiol with desogestrel, a progestin which is delivered in 100 mcg, 125 mcg and 150 mcg in the first, second and third week. It is the first and only low-dose estrogen triphasic contraceptive. The hormone regime in Cyclessa® is designed to more closely mimic those of the natural female cycle so that side effects are kept to a minimum.

One of the things you do not want to forget... Did I take my pill today?

Majority of women forget to take the Pill
•  Over 68% of women mention to forget to take the pill every month
•  Per month in average 1 pills is not taken
•  Major reasons: unexpected event occurred, stress, no fixed moment of intake

What is RemindHer?
RemindHer is a supportive tool to help oral contraceptive users to take the Pill.
The device can be set by the user and generate an alarm every 24 hrs after initiation to remind a user to take the Pill. In addition at the backside of the RemindHer© a strip carrying pocket is available to slide in a pill strip of one of the Organon's Pills.

How can I obtain RemindHer©?
The availability of RemindHer© varies per country. Two types of RemindHer's are available the Basic RemindHer (without display) and the Display RemindHer (with display) and they can both be used for the oral contraceptives: Mercilon, Marvelon, Cerazette, Laurina and Gracial.
Contact your doctor or Organon offices for more information.