What are short-acting contraceptives?

The current national family planning policy emphasizes eugenics, so many adult men and women must take appropriate contraceptive measures after marriage because they do not yet have the conditions to have children. However, many people do not have a clear understanding of contraceptives. There are many types of contraceptives, including short-acting and long-acting. So what are short-acting contraceptives? Let’s take a look together!

Short-term oral contraceptives The short-acting contraceptives used in China include contraceptive tablets No. 1 and No. 2, compound 18-methylethynylketone short-acting tablets, and oral contraceptive tablets No. 0, 1, and 2. When using, start taking the medicine from the day of menstruation, and start taking the medicine on the fifth day. The best time to take the medicine is before going to bed. Take one tablet a day for 22 consecutive days, which can prevent pregnancy for one month. Menstruation usually comes about 3 days after stopping the medication.

Side effects of short-term oral contraceptives:

(1) Pregnancy-like reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness, etc., are mild and require no treatment. They usually disappear on their own after 3 months. The time of taking the medicine can be changed, such as taking it before going to bed. For more severe reactions, vitamin B6 or antiemetics, as well as strong tea, soaked ginger, etc. can be taken.

(2) Vaginal bleeding during medication. This situation is often caused by missed contraceptive pills, and can be treated in three ways. ① Bleeding occurs in the first half of the menstrual cycle (1 to 14 days). Starting from the day of bleeding, you can take 1 tablet of ethinyl estradiol (0.005 mg) or half a tablet of short-acting contraceptive pill daily, and take it together with the original contraceptive pill until the 22nd day. ② If bleeding occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle (14 to 28 days), you can take 1/4 to 1/2 tablet of short-acting oral contraceptive pills together with the original contraceptive pills until the 22nd day and then stop taking them. ③ If bleeding occurs during the last few pills, you can stop taking the medicine and treat the bleeding at this time as a menstrual period. Start taking the next cycle of contraceptive pills on the 5th day of menstruation. Taking the medicine on time and not missing any pills can avoid or reduce vaginal bleeding.

(3) Decreased menstrual flow or amenorrhea. If menstruation still does not occur after stopping the medication for 7 days, after excluding amenorrhea caused by pregnancy and other diseases, the next cycle of contraceptive pills should be taken from the 8th day; if amenorrhea persists for more than 3 months, the medication should be stopped and other contraceptive measures should be used.

(4) For a very small number of women with facial pigmentation, they can take vitamin B complex and vitamin C, and use other contraceptive measures when necessary.

(5) A small number of women experience a slight increase in weight after taking the medication. They can continue to take the medication and increase physical exercise. If there is a significant increase in weight, the medication should be stopped and other contraceptive measures should be used instead.

The above is an introduction to short-acting contraceptives. Generally speaking, when taking contraceptives, it is best to use them under the guidance of a doctor. Contraceptives have certain side effects, and frequent use of contraceptives may lead to infertility, so when using contraceptives, you must be cautious and do not use them indiscriminately.