6 Ideas for Transitioning from Combo Drugs to POPS
Mixture tablets and progestin-only tablets, aka POPs, are the 2 most important sorts of contraception tablets available on the market. Mixture tablets have two sorts of hormones, estrogen, and progestin, whereas POPs include solely the latter.
The mix 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 individuals with circumstances like blood-clotting points or arterial illnesses. They’re additionally safer for higher-weight individuals, and anybody else in danger for a harmful situation known as venous thromboembolism.
In the event you’ve been recognized with a brand new medical situation or lately had a child, chances are you’ll must go on POPs. Or you’ll have determined to change contraception since you’ve been scuffling with the uncomfortable side effects of mixture tablets. No matter your causes for switching, listed here are some suggestions to assist ease the transition to POPs.
6 Methods To Ease The Transition ToPOPs
1. Get a Delivery Management Subscription
While 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 wish to be sure you all the time have loads of tablets on the prepared.
Pharmacies can run out of your model, which could be a large headache whenever you want a refill. Some states additionally nonetheless enable pharmacists to disclaim you your tablets for spiritual causes, which might imply problematic delays.
Think about maintaining an additional pack round in case you lose one or should you’re planning any journey. A contraception subscription is straightforward to get on-line and can assist make sure you by no means run out of tablets. It additionally permits for extra privateness than choosing your tablets up in particular person as a result of your prescription is discreetly delivered to your door. Some on-line choices assist you to rise up to 3 months’ price of tablets at a time.
2. Set Reminders or Alarms on Your Telephone
In the event you’ve been taking mixture tablets, you in all probability have already got a reminder in your telephone to take them day-after-day. However you may also be used to hitting snooze on that telephone alarm and taking the tablets a little bit later.
With progestin-only tablets, it’s tremendous necessary to all the time take your tablets on time. Some tablets have a few 12-hour window, however conventional POPs will be taken not more than three hours late. You would possibly wish to set a couple of alarms in a row in case you overlook you ignored the primary one.
An alternative choice to contemplate is a Bluetooth-connected good case on your progestin-only tablets. The Emme Sensible Case connects along with your telephone and reminds you to take your tablets 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 Modifications
Being on progestin-only tablets can imply large modifications in your regular interval. Don’t be alarmed, however should you’re used to the regularity of mixture tablets, prepare for a wild new journey.
Progestin-only tablets can lighten your typical menstrual movement and even cut back the frequency of cramps or painful durations. However they’ll additionally trigger breakthrough bleeding or recognizing all through the month, generally for days on finish.
In the event you’d reasonably not free-bleed, keep in mind to maintain gentle pads or tampons readily available, simply in case. You might additionally spend money on lined interval underwear so that you’re all the time ready for recognizing.
4. Stockpile Backup Strategies
POPs have a decrease efficacy fee than mixture tablets, even when used accurately. And with POPs, your threat of being pregnant goes up a lot quicker should you miss a dose. For that reason, you would possibly wish 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 should you weigh greater than 165 lbs). You might additionally hold condoms or different barrier strategies readily available to be used should you miss a dose.
In the event you don’t keep in mind to maintain backup contraception round, it’s nonetheless attainable to get last-minute emergency contraception on-line. And should 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 tablets. However there are some circumstances the place it is advisable to 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 possibilities of unplanned being pregnant. Converse to a healthcare supplier or get an internet session should you’re unsure a few drug.
Some dietary supplements, particularly St. John’s Wort, can even enhance the chance of unplanned being pregnant on POPs. You’re higher off not taking St. John’s Wort in any respect, however should you should, all the time use a backup barrier technique.
6. Know the Dangers
Some research notice that POPs can carry a better threat of despair than mixture tablets. If 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 modifications in your temper after you begin taking the brand new tablets.
POPs can even put you at a a lot greater threat for ectopic being pregnant than mixture tablets. Think about using a backup barrier technique to mitigate the chance of an ectopic being pregnant.
If in case you have ideas of suicide or self-harm, name your native disaster hotline or 988, The Suicide & Disaster Lifeline. In the event 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 critical situation.
Taking the Leap
There are a lot of causes you would possibly resolve to change from mixture tablets to POPs. But it surely’s necessary to do not forget that everybody’s physique reacts otherwise to hormones. While you change prescriptions, pay shut consideration to any modifications in uncomfortable side effects and get assist if one thing appears off. Do not forget that it might take a little bit of trial and error to search out the suitable contraception for you.
