6 Suggestions for Transitioning from Combo Tablets to POPS

Mixture drugs and progestin-only drugs, aka POPs, are the 2 essential kinds of contraception drugs available on the market. Mixture drugs have two kinds 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 folks with circumstances like blood-clotting points or arterial illnesses. They’re additionally safer for higher-weight folks, and anybody else in danger for a harmful situation known as venous thromboembolism.

In case you’ve been recognized with a brand new medical situation or just lately had a child, you might have to go on POPs. Or you will have determined to change contraception since you’ve been fighting the unwanted effects of mixture drugs. No matter your causes for switching, listed below are some suggestions to assist ease the transition to POPs.

6 Methods To Ease The Transition ToPOPs

1. Get a Start 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 at all times have loads of drugs on the prepared.

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

Contemplate protecting an additional pack round in case you lose one or in case 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 drugs. It additionally permits for extra privateness than selecting your drugs up in particular person as a result of your prescription is discreetly delivered to your door. Some on-line choices permit you to stand up to 3 months’ price of drugs at a time.

2. Set Reminders or Alarms on Your Telephone

In case you’ve been taking mixture drugs, you in all probability have already got a reminder in your telephone to take them day by day. However you may also be used to hitting snooze on that telephone alarm and taking the drugs a little bit later.

With progestin-only drugs, it’s tremendous essential to at all times take your drugs on time. Some drugs have a few 12-hour window, however conventional POPs might be taken not more than three hours late. You may wish to set a number of alarms in a row in case you neglect you ignored the primary one.

Another choice to think about is a Bluetooth-connected sensible case to your progestin-only drugs. The Emme Sensible Case connects along with your telephone and reminds you to take your drugs on time. It doesn’t simply know once you’ve opened the case — it senses once you take a capsule out of the pack.

3. Put together for Cycle Modifications

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

Progestin-only drugs can lighten your typical menstrual move and even scale 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 case you’d somewhat not free-bleed, keep in mind to maintain mild pads or tampons available, simply in case. You possibly can additionally put money into lined interval lingerie so that you’re at all times ready for recognizing.

4. Stockpile Backup Strategies

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

One chance is to maintain the morning-after capsule available (or a prescription choice like ella in case you weigh greater than 165 lbs). You possibly can additionally hold condoms or different barrier strategies available to be used in case 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 in case you suppose you may’ve missed a dose at any level, think about using a condom simply in case.

5. Contemplate Your Different Medicines

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

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

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

6. Know the Dangers

Some research be aware that POPs can carry the next threat of despair than mixture drugs. You probably 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 drugs.

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

You probably 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 subject.

Taking the Leap

There are numerous causes you may determine to change from mixture drugs to POPs. But it surely’s essential to do not forget that everybody’s physique reacts in a different way to hormones. While you swap prescriptions, pay shut consideration to any modifications in unwanted effects and get assist if one thing appears off. Keep in mind that it could take a little bit of trial and error to search out the precise contraception for you.