To begin...

"Birth Control Pill." Planned Parenthood Association, 2009.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-pill-4228.htm

If someone mentions birth control, the majority of people will immediately think of birth control pills. However, the various options that fall under this category cannot simply be lumped into the category of “the pill.” Different brands can vary in drastic ways, and people often have preconceived notions of what they can expect from this type of birth control.

This article clarifies some of the major differences between types of birth control pills. A major variation is the type of hormone used. Combination pills use both estrogen and progestin, while others use only progestin. The difference can drastically affect the care with which patients must time their doses; the progestin-only pills are much less likely to work if they are not taken at the same time each day. Various types of pills also differ in their effects upon menstruation. While some allow women’s periods to stay on the same cycle as before they started the pill, others allow menstruation to occur only once every three months.

In debates about health insurance, birth control could easily become a controversial issue. With various options available, the lines of what is medically necessary become blurred. If progestin-only pills are cheaper than the combination pills, does the insurance company have an obligation to provide the combination pills, which have less risk of failure if taken incorrectly? Do the companies have an obligation to pay for the pills that have additional benefits such as a greater time between periods? Should birth control be covered for off-label uses, such as control of acne? Because the medical necessity of additional benefits of birth control is debatable, insurance companies are not as obligated to cover the cost of the prescription as they would be for other medications (statins, for example).

This article comes from the planned parenthood website, which is a logical jumping off point for an exploration into methods of birth control. Because this organization is well respected when it comes to information about various types of contraception, the general public will have a tendency to accept whatever is said as the most accurate analysis as a method of birth control. People should be careful, however, to make sure that they seek multiple sources of information before making a decision about their method of contraception.

Photo: www.watchmojo.com/ blog/health/2008/12/15/