6 Ideas for Transitioning from Combo Drugs to POPS

Mixture drugs and progestin-only drugs, aka POPs, are the 2 predominant varieties of contraception drugs in the marketplace. Mixture drugs have two varieties of hormones, estrogen, and progestin, whereas POPs comprise solely the latter.

The mixture capsule is the extra generally prescribed of the 2 as a result of it’s barely more practical — about 99% versus 94%. However POPs are sometimes prescribed for folks with situations like blood-clotting points or arterial ailments. They’re additionally safer for higher-weight folks, and anybody else in danger for a harmful situation referred to as venous thromboembolism.

In case you’ve been identified with a brand new medical situation or not too long ago had a child, you could must go on POPs. Or you’ll have determined to modify contraception since you’ve been combating the uncomfortable side effects of mixture drugs. No matter your causes for switching, listed here are some ideas to assist ease the transition to POPs.

6 Methods To Ease The Transition ToPOPs

1. Get a Delivery Management Subscription

Once you take POPs, lacking or being late with even a single dose can dramatically enhance your threat of being pregnant. That’s why you’ll need to be sure you all the time have loads of drugs on the prepared.

Pharmacies can run out of your model, which is usually a enormous headache whenever you want a refill. Some states additionally nonetheless permit pharmacists to disclaim you your drugs for non secular causes, which might imply problematic delays.

Think about conserving an additional pack round in case you lose one or when you’re planning any journey. A contraception subscription is simple to get on-line and will help make sure you by no means run out of drugs. It additionally permits for extra privateness than selecting your drugs up in individual as a result of your prescription is discreetly delivered to your door. Some on-line choices assist you to stand up to a few months’ price of drugs at a time.

2. Set Reminders or Alarms on Your Telephone

In case you’ve been taking mixture drugs, you most likely have already got a reminder in your cellphone to take them day-after-day. However you may additionally be used to hitting snooze on that cellphone alarm and taking the drugs just a little later.

With progestin-only drugs, it’s tremendous necessary to all the time take your drugs on time. Some drugs have a few 12-hour window, however conventional POPs will be taken not more than three hours late. You would possibly need to set a number of alarms in a row in case you overlook you ignored the primary one.

Another choice to contemplate is a Bluetooth-connected good case on your progestin-only drugs. The Emme Good Case connects together with your cellphone and reminds you to take your drugs on time. It doesn’t simply know whenever you’ve opened the case — it senses whenever you take a capsule out of the pack.

3. Put together for Cycle Adjustments

Being on progestin-only drugs can imply massive adjustments in your regular interval. Don’t be alarmed, however when you’re used to the regularity of mixture drugs, prepare for a wild new experience.

Progestin-only drugs can lighten your typical menstrual circulation and even scale back the frequency of cramps or painful durations. However they will additionally trigger breakthrough bleeding or recognizing all through the month, generally for days on finish.

In case you’d relatively not free-bleed, keep in mind to maintain mild pads or tampons readily available, simply in case. You possibly can additionally put money into lined interval lingerie so that you’re all the time ready for recognizing.

4. Stockpile Backup Strategies

POPs have a decrease efficacy fee than mixture drugs, even when used appropriately. And with POPs, your threat of being pregnant goes up a lot quicker when you miss a dose. Because of this, you would possibly need to use a backup technique or have some emergency choices on the prepared.

One risk is to maintain the morning-after capsule readily available (or a prescription choice like ella when you weigh greater than 165 lbs). You possibly can additionally preserve condoms or different barrier strategies readily available to be used when you miss a dose.

In case you don’t keep in mind to maintain backup contraception round, it’s nonetheless attainable to get last-minute emergency contraception on-line. And when you assume you would possibly’ve missed a dose at any level, think about using a condom simply in case.

5. Think about Your Different Medicines

One main benefit of POPs is that they don’t have as many uncomfortable side effects or contraindications as mixture drugs. However there are some instances the place it’s essential take heed to what else you’re placing in your physique.

As with the mix capsule, some antibiotics could make POPs much less efficient, rising your probabilities of unplanned being pregnant. Communicate to a healthcare supplier or get a web-based session when you’re undecided a few drug.

Some dietary supplements, specifically St. John’s Wort, may enhance the danger of unplanned being pregnant on POPs. You’re higher off not taking St. John’s Wort in any respect, however when you should, all the time use a backup barrier technique.

6. Know the Dangers

Some research notice that POPs can carry the next threat of melancholy than mixture drugs. In case you have a historical past of psychological well being points, point out it in your session earlier than getting a prescription for POPs. Pay shut consideration to any adjustments in your temper after you begin taking the brand new drugs.

POPs may put you at a a lot increased threat for ectopic being pregnant than mixture drugs. Think about using a backup barrier technique to mitigate the danger of an ectopic being pregnant.

In case you have ideas of suicide or self-harm, name your native disaster hotline or 988, The Suicide & Disaster Lifeline. In case you expertise sudden, extreme ache in your pelvis, stomach, and/or shoulder, name 911 or go straight to the emergency room. These could also be indicators of a extra severe difficulty.

Taking the Leap

There are lots of causes you would possibly determine to modify from mixture drugs to POPs. But it surely’s necessary to keep in mind that everybody’s physique reacts otherwise to hormones. Once you change prescriptions, pay shut consideration to any adjustments in uncomfortable side effects and get assist if one thing appears off. Do not forget that it could take a little bit of trial and error to seek out the best contraception for you.