Korea has one of the lowest rates of oral contraceptives in the world. France is about 50%, but Korea is at 2%, which is very low. It's at the bottom of the list. This is because they prefer condoms to contraception through pills.
So, is contraception working successfully? The abortion rate in Western developed countries is about 12 per 1,000 live births, but in South Korea it is as high as 30 abortions, even though it is illegal. This is thought to be due to the lack of education on proper contraceptive methods despite the lowering of the age of first sexual experience among Korean women, as well as the social rejection of oral contraceptives.
In this column, I would like to tell you about the myths and truths about the pill.
Benefits of oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives inhibit ovulation in the egg, preventing it from being fertilized with sperm after sex. It also keeps the endometrium thin to prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, and makes the mucus in the cervix sticky, which hinders sperm movement. It is easy to buy in pharmacies without a prescription, and when taken correctly, it has a contraceptive rate of 99.7%, which is very effective. Depending on the medical situation, oral contraceptives may be preferred, and it is especially helpful to be aware of this.
For women with irregular menstrual cycles, heavy menstrual flow, and severe dysmenorrhea, oral contraceptives are very helpful. In addition, it is an essential contraceptive method in case of ectopic pregnancy or pelvic inflammation. Conversely, people over the age of 35 who are prone to blood clots, such as heavy smokers and those with a history of stroke or other thrombosis, should use contraception other than oral contraceptives in the first place.
How to take the pill
Oral contraceptives need to create a favorable hormonal balance based on a woman's menstrual cycle, so it's important to take them regularly. In general, if you have 21 pills, take the pill from the first day of your period, taking one pill daily for 21 days.
After that, you'll start your period in 2-3 days. Even if your period does not end at this time, you will need to take the medicine again on the 8th day after 7 days of rest. Birth control pills are drugs that balance hormones in the body, so you need to follow the time of taking them. You can choose your own dosage time.
And many people who are looking for oral contraceptives are trying to delay their period for other purposes, such as traveling or swimming pools, rather than for contraceptive purposes. According to a survey by a pharmaceutical company, 47% of women who took birth control pills said they took them to delay their periods.
How to take it in this case? You should start at least 5 days, preferably a week in advance, to see the results, and even then, you can take one pill a day at a fixed time until the day you want to postpone it. One thing to keep in mind is that there is no contraceptive effect in this case, so an auxiliary means such as a condom is necessary for contraception.
Mild side effects and dangerous side effects of taking birth control pills
Since birth control pills are hormonal drugs, they can cause various changes in the body. However, most of them occur as the body adapts and can be resolved without major problems if taken consistently. Mild but various changes such as irregular bleeding, nausea, breast tenderness, mild migraines, and mood swings can be induced, but if you do not experience any major discomfort in your life, your symptoms will gradually improve if you continue to take the drug. On the other hand, if any of the following symptoms are triggered, you should see a doctor immediately, and if it is difficult to contact a doctor, you should go to the emergency room, so it is recommended that you know and memorize it.
What to do if you miss the time to take the pill
What should I do if I have changed my travel destination or sleeping arrangement and it is difficult for me to take the pill? I'm going to take 12 hours as a guideline. If it is 12 hours before the prescribed time to take it, you can take it as soon as you think of it. Then, you can take it at the next scheduled time as scheduled. If it's been more than 12 hours, you can take 2 days' medication the next day (missed medicine and same-day medicine).
In this case, you should use a condom for at least 7 days, and if you can safely continue your menstrual cycle. If you miss two days in a row, you should take 2 tablets immediately and then 2 tablets until the next day. Again, condoms must be used for 7 days for contraception. If it is more than two days, it is recommended to take it again from the following Sunday in the new cycle and use adjuvant contraception. However, if possible, we recommend that you always carry your medication with you and take it at the same time through an alarm.
Safety of oral contraceptives
On December 7, 2017, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study on the link between hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer. Studies have shown that women under the age of 35 have a risk of breast cancer for about 1 in 50,000 women who use hormonal contraceptives in one year. Considering his age, the risk was not high.
Moreover, most obstetricians and gynecologists agree that women under the age of 40 should be advised to take oral contraceptives if necessary if their risk factors for breast cancer are not clear. Therefore, rather than being deceived by distorted information on the Internet and having an unconditional rejection, we recommend that you consult your gynecologist and, if necessary, use oral contraceptives for contraception.
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