This document provides information about birth control needs, methods, and the types of birth control pills available. It discusses the growing population and need for birth control to prevent overpopulation and reduce HIV transmission. A brief history of birth control methods is given, along with details on the three main types of birth control pills: progestin-only pills, combination pills, and emergency contraception pills. Combination pills are further divided into monophasic, multiphasic, and continuous pills based on hormone levels and dosing.

1. Title:
Birth Control needs, methods and information available for today’s women
Word Count:
946
Summary:
Know the need, history and types of birth control pills available to
prevent unplanned pregnancy
Keywords:
birth control, birth control pills, birth control types,Progestin only
pills, POP, Combination birth control pills, Multiphasic birth control
pills, Emergency birth control pills
Article Body:
Need for birth control in today’s world
With the rapid growth of the population in the world as well as the
increased sense in general awareness for HIV/AIDS, has forced to think on
birth control methods. The current world’s population is estimated to be
around 6.4 billion with annual growth of 76 million and hence, it is
estimated to reach 9 billion by year 2050. In next two decades, world’s
two highly populous countries, China & India are expected to reach the
population of 1.5 billion each i.e more than one third of the total world
population of that time. It is alarming situation for the world to
control this “population explosion”. Therefore, United Nations are urging
countries specially highly populated countries to control their
population.
As per the survey report for birth control methods if applied in 169
countries, 137 million women willing to delay their contraceptives, 64
million women are using less effective birth control measures. If these
women are helped with adequate birth control treatment (like pills,
condoms), 23 million of unplanned births, 22 million induced abortions
and 1.4 million infants could be avoided as estimated by United Nations
Population Fund.
Besides population, HIV/AIDS is also very important factor forcing the
need for birth control. An estimated, world has 38 million people have
either AIDS or infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In
seven African countries, one out of 5 adults is infected with HIV. Birth
control methods are, therefore, become imperative to control further
spread of HIV/AIDS, particularly in these countries. The population in
these countries is projected at 35% lower by 2025 free from HIV/AIDS. It
will further reduce the total life expectancy by an average of 29 years
in these countries.
History of Birth Control
200 AD, Greek gynecologist Soranus said that women become fertile during
ovulation. He suggested some birth control tips for women to avoid
unwanted pregnancy like smearing olive oil, pomegranate pulp, ginger, or

2. tobacco juice around vagina to kill sperm, drinking water used by
blacksmith to cool hot metals and jumping 7 times backward after the
sexual intercourse. Many birth control methods like ayurvedic treatments
used centuries ago (aside from sexual abstinence). However, there are
some historical records of Egyptian women are found who were using some
herbal or acid substances like crocodile dung or lubricants like honey or
household olive oil as vaginal suppository, which they may have found
effective at killing sperm.
However, commercial use of birth control method started in 1960 in the
form of birth control pill. It was in 1950, when Planned Parenthood
Federation of America invited biologist Dr. Gregory Pincus to develop
oral contraceptive pill that would be harmless, universally acceptable
and safe for husband and wife. After under going many tests with more
than 6,000 women in Puerto Rico and Haiti , it was 1960 when the first
commercially produced birth control pill called Enovid-10 was introduced
to women in USA . This first oral contraceptive was made with two
hormones Estrogen (100 to 175 microgram) and Progestin (10 mg). They were
proved to be 99% effective if taken as directed. With estimation, more
than 18 million women in US are relying on birth control pills
Types of birth control pills
Unlike the decades old oral contraceptive pills (which had higher number
of hormones), today’s birth control pills are in low-dose forms with
health benefits. So, women can take birth control pills with much fewer
health risks.
Generally there are three types of birth control pills available
1. Progestin only pills (POP)
It is also known as “mini-pill” containing no estrogen. It is recommended
for breastfeeding women because estrogen reduced milk production. This
POP pill works by thickening the cervical mucus and thus preventing sperm
to enter uterus
2. Combination birth control pills
The widely known birth control pills are having combination of two
hormones progestin and estrogen. These types of oral contraceptive pills
come with the pack of 21 “active pills” and 7 “placebos” , which do not
contain any hormones. These are, in fact, known as “reminder pills”
These combination pills are further sub-divided into three types of pills
due to the level of two hormones progestin and estrogen.
i) Monophasic birth control pills
Here, every active pill contains the equal number of progestin and
estrogen. The other seven pills are placebo having no hormones.
Menstruation starts when these placebo pills are taken
ii) Multiphasic birth control pills
They are also known as biphasic or trphasic oral contraceptive pills due
to different levels of hormones in active pills. These pills are required
to be taken at specific time in its entire pills schedule. Multiphasic
birth control pills help offsetting the risks of oral contraceptives.

3. iii) Continuous birth control pills
it is also known as 365 days pills to be taken continuously throughout
the year without the year. This is the new entry of oral contraceptive
pills in the birth control market. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
approved Lybrel, which is the only continuous birth control pill approved
so far and available for general women use. Women do not get menstrual
period while they are under the treatment of Lybrel, however, they might
find some breakthrough bleeding or spotting, particularly at the initial
stage.
3) Emergency birth control pills
Also known as “morning after pills”, these are designed for immediate
pregnancy protection after the unprotected sex. It is highly recommended
to take emergency pills within 48 hours and maximum 72 hours to be
effective in avoiding pregnancy. These are different than usual oral
contraceptive pills where you plan your birth control much in advance.
Emergency pills are also taken when the women are sexually assaulted. FDA
has approved Plan B as the safest emergency pills. Due to OTC (over the
counter) approval by FDA for women above 18 years, Plan B can now be
ordered behind pharmacy counter.
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