Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills – Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills are a popular option for contraception not only in India but all over the world and they have truly revolutionized contraception as well as put the control of reproduction in the hands of women. Regular birth control pills contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone. These Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills are procured and distributed in a very safe manner. These are taken under doctor’s prescription and supervision. But some women may not be suitable for hormonal birth control pills for certain medical reasons.
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What are Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills?
It is a hormonal and steroid-free Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills. It has few negative effects and avoids major ones induced by hormonal contraception. Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills feature a simple biweekly or weekly dosage, which means they must be taken only once each week. It is sold under the brands Saheli and Choice-7, and the government has distributed it to women in India for free under the brand Chhaya since 2018.
It contains a drug called meloxicam and belongs to a class of drugs called SUMS (selective estrogen receptor modulators). This medicine is also used by gynecologists to treat many bleeding problems in women.
Read More: Intrauterine Device (IUD) – Birth Control, How it works,
How to use a Non Hormonal Birth Control Pill?
For contraception, the dose is two tablets per week for the first 12 weeks and one tablet per week thereafter.
The first pill is to be taken on the first day of the menstrual cycle. On the day bleeding starts or on any other day, provided pregnancy has been completely ruled out. After this, take one tablet twice a week for the first three months. For example on Sunday and Wednesday or Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday.
Starting from the fourth month, the pill has to be taken once a week on the day of the first pill, which means if you started taking the pill on Sunday, you will take the pill every week on Sunday, regardless of menstruation. cycle. Apart from taking this pill, it is also advised to use a barrier method of contraception such as condoms during the first eight weeks of use i.e. the first two months.
What if you miss your Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills?
Take the missing medication as soon as you recall. If you missed a dose by one or more days but have less than seven days remaining. Maintain a consistent schedule and utilize a different technique, like condoms, until your next period. However, if you fail to take the tablet for more than seven days. Now you must restart the schedule as a new user.
What if you miss your period on this pill?
One side effect of Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills is delay and lightness of menstruation which is quite common. It is not harmful and can actually be helpful for women suffering from anemia. Because during this time her blood flows in less. However, if menstruation is delayed by more than 15 days then do a pregnancy test and consult a doctor.
What if I become pregnant while on the pill?
If you conceive even after taking the Central Government’s Saheli or Chaya pill, there is no need to worry. This medicine does not cause abnormalities in the fetus and the growth & development of the child is normal. However, as soon as you know about your pregnancy, stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor.
Benefits of non-hormonal pills
There are lots of benefits of taking Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills which are as follows:
Taking once a week so it is easy to remember and the schedule is easy to follow.
Safe and very effective.
This is a reversible method of contraception which means fertility returns soon after you stop the pills.
Safe for breastfeeding women even immediately after childbirth.
Fewer side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, bloating, water retention, and weight gain that are seen with combined estrogen-containing pills.
It can also be used by women who smoke. Because generally gynecologists do not like to give combined estrogen progesterone pills to a woman who smokes.
Women of older age groups can also take it.
It is safe for women with a history of DVT, which is deep vein thrombosis.
It is also used to treat many menstrual disorders such as DUB (dysfunctional uterine bleeding).
Side effects of non-hormonal pill
There are also two minor side effects rather than nausea, vomiting, headache, bloating, water retention, and weight gain.
Delayed Period
It causes delayed menstruation in some women but occurs in only about eight percent of users and usually only in the first three months. The period tends to settle down to a rhythm once the body gets used to it.
Scanty Periods
Some women taking this non-hormonal pill may have less menstrual cycles over time. It is not harmful and requires no action.
Where is it available?
It is available free of cost under the name Saheli and in government hospitals under the name Chhaya. If you need to buy from a medical shop, you can ask for Meloxicam. Please consult your gynecologist before starting any contraceptive to know how it works well.
Conclusion
There is no such thing as the best or ideal contraception. Doctors prescribe a specific contraceptive technique depending on your medical history and requirements, so if you are considering taking the pill but have worries, consult with your doctor.
Reference Links:-
https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/hormonal-vs-nonhormonal-birth-control
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10381146/
https://nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/programmes/family-planing/guidelines/Reference_Manual_Oral_Pills.pdf
https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/non-hormonal-methods-contraception.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3693657/
Nice article
Article was super helpful. Thanks for making it easy to understand!