Combination pills, also called “combo pills,” or simply “the pill,” are a form of oral hormonal birth control which contain the hormones estrogen and progestin.1 Combination pills are commonly used as a method of preventing pregnancy, but can also be used for their non-contraceptive benefits such as improving acne, decreasing menstrual cramps or other premenstrual…
Tag: birth control pills
Progestin-Only Pills
The progestin-only pill, also known as the “mini-pill,” is a type of oral contraceptive or oral birth control pill. The pill contains the hormone progestin and, unlike the combination pill, does not contain estrogen. Due to the lack of estrogen, many users report feeling fewer or no side effects compared to other oral contraceptives. One…
Amethyst (Formerly Lybrel)
Amethyst and Lybrel are brands of birth control pills designed to prevent ovulation and pregnancy. They are the first continuous-cycle birth control pills ever manufactured. This type of birth control pill is taken everyday without any break periods for an entire year. This seemingly minor change comes with the added effect of suppressing menstruation for…
Seasonique
Seasonique is an extended-cycle combination birth control pill which prevents pregnancy and suppresses menstruation for 91-day cycles. Taking Seasonique with perfect use (not missing any pills) will typically result in the female experiencing only four periods a year. The gap between periods is completely safe and causes no health problems. Another form of birth control…
Living with an STI
Getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can be a new and scary experience. Luckily, there are many resources available to treat all STIs, as well as to cure the STIs that are curable. We recommend that people seek treatment as early as possible following any concern that they may have been exposed to or contracted…