6 Suggestions for Transitioning from Combo Tablets to POPS

Mixture drugs and progestin-only drugs, aka POPs, are the 2 major forms of contraception drugs available on the market. Mixture drugs have two forms of hormones, estrogen, and progestin, whereas POPs comprise solely the latter.

The mix tablet 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 the event you’ve been identified with a brand new medical situation or not too long ago had a child, you could have to go on POPs. Or you might have determined to modify contraception since you’ve been fighting the unintended 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

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

Pharmacies can run out of your model, which is usually a big headache if you want a refill. Some states additionally nonetheless enable pharmacists to disclaim you your drugs for spiritual causes, which might imply problematic delays.

Contemplate maintaining an additional pack round in case you lose one or in the event you’re planning any journey. A contraception subscription is simple to get on-line and can assist make sure you by no means run out of drugs. It additionally permits for extra privateness than choosing your drugs up in individual as a result of your prescription is discreetly delivered to your door. Some on-line choices can help you stand up to 3 months’ value of drugs at a time.

2. Set Reminders or Alarms on Your Cellphone

In the event you’ve been taking mixture drugs, you in all probability have already got a reminder in your cellphone to take them each 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 vital to all the time take your drugs on time. Some drugs have a few 12-hour window, however conventional POPs could be taken not more than three hours late. You may wish to set just a few alarms in a row in case you neglect you ignored the primary one.

Another choice to contemplate is a Bluetooth-connected sensible case in your progestin-only drugs. The Emme Sensible Case connects together with your cellphone and reminds you to take your drugs on time. It doesn’t simply know if you’ve opened the case — it senses if you take a tablet 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 the event 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 cut back the frequency of cramps or painful intervals. However they’ll additionally trigger breakthrough bleeding or recognizing all through the month, generally for days on finish.

In the event you’d somewhat not free-bleed, keep in mind to maintain gentle pads or tampons available, simply in case. You might 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 price than mixture drugs, even when used appropriately. And with POPs, your danger of being pregnant goes up a lot quicker in the event you miss a dose. For that reason, you may wish to use a backup technique or have some emergency choices on the prepared.

One risk is to maintain the morning-after tablet available (or a prescription possibility like ella in the event you weigh greater than 165 lbs). You might additionally hold condoms or different barrier strategies available to be used in the event you miss a dose.

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

5. Contemplate Your Different Drugs

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

As with the mixture tablet, some antibiotics could make POPs much less efficient, growing your possibilities of unplanned being pregnant. Converse to a healthcare supplier or get an internet session in the event you’re unsure a few drug.

Some dietary supplements, specifically 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 in the event you should, all the time use a backup barrier technique.

6. Know the Dangers

Some research notice that POPs can carry the next danger 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 can even put you at a a lot larger danger 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 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 challenge.

Taking the Leap

There are lots of causes you may resolve to modify from mixture drugs to POPs. Nevertheless it’s vital to keep in mind that everybody’s physique reacts otherwise to hormones. Whenever you swap prescriptions, pay shut consideration to any modifications in unintended effects and get assist if one thing appears off. Keep in mind that it might take a little bit of trial and error to seek out the precise contraception for you.