Like many other medications, if you've opted to try oral birth control, there are a few options available and making a choice can be overwhelming if you're completely unfamiliar with them. There are two popular types: one that combines progestin and estrogen hormones and another with only progestin. This latter is used in both because it prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucous, which helps inhibit the ability of sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. While you'll still need to speak to your gynecologist about anything specific to your personal medical history, here are some of the basics you should know. 

Combined Hormone vs. Progestin-Only Birth Control

Combined Hormone

As mentioned above, this type contains both progestin and estrogen. Due to the added estrogen, this option is the more effective of the two for pregnancy prevention. It further lowers the risk of pregnancy because it affects the development of the ovarian egg and makes it unsuitable for fertilization. The estrogen also helps make periods more tolerable for those who experience heavy flows. Those hoping to try birth control for acne reduction may prefer this, too, as combined hormone pills performed better in this regard.

Combined hormone birth control does have some disadvantages, though. The extra estrogen can lead to weight gain, increased headaches, and breastfeeding issues. There are also a few rare cases of this type causing blood clots. It's more common among smokers and those over 35; have your gynecologist review your history to better understand the chances of this happening. 

Progestin-Only

Progestin-only birth control options are sometimes known "mini-pills" because they have a single hormone, and a smaller dosage of it. They're suitable for those sensitive to estrogen or concerned about the aforementioned side effects. Aside from side effects, estrogen also tends to conflict with other drugs. A gynecologist can review your current medications and let you know of any contraindications. Furthermore, those eager to get pregnant may want to consider this, as fertility tends to return faster with progestin-only options. 

However, they also have some weaknesses. As you might expect, if one of the primary reasons you wanted to talk to your gynecologist was acne, this isn't as effective as combined hormone pills. Regarding pregnancy prevention, they are less effective at preventing pregnancy and have a higher risk of causing ectopic pregnancies. These are when an egg is fertilized outside of the uterus. These eggs are not viable and will not survive past the first trimester. 

If you're ready to speak to a gynecologist you can trust about these options, contact Advanced OB-GYN Services. Led by Dr. Joseph Hazan, this practice has provided compassionate and reliable obstetric and gynecological care for decades. They have two locations, one in St Peters, MO, and another in Bridgeton, MO. At both, they offer quality care and are also available for emergencies 24/7. For information about all their services, visit their website or call (636) 928-1800.