Which of the following is the purpose of both biphasic and triphasic pills?

Combination birth control pills, also known as the pill, are oral contraceptives that contain estrogen and a progestin.

Combination birth control pills keep your ovaries from releasing an egg. They also cause changes in the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to keep sperm from joining the egg.

Different types of combination birth control pills contain different doses of estrogen and progestin. Continuous-dosing or extended-cycle pills allow you to reduce the number of periods you have each year.

If you want to use combination birth control pills, your health care provider can help you decide which type is right for you.

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Why it's done

Combination birth control pills are a reliable form of contraception that's easily reversed. Fertility can return to normal almost immediately after stopping the pills. Other, noncontraceptive benefits of these pills include:

  • Decreased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, benign breast disease
  • Improvement in acne
  • Less-severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
  • Reduction in androgen production caused by polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Reduction in heavy menstrual bleeding due to uterine fibroids and other causes, as well as a reduction in related iron iron-deficiency anemia
  • Relief from premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Shorter, lighter and more-predictable periods or, for some types of combination pills, fewer periods yearly
  • Better control of monthly cycle and a reduction in hot flashes for women nearing menopause (perimenopause)

Combination birth control pills come in different mixtures of active and inactive pills, including:

  • Conventional pack. The most common type contains 21 active pills and seven inactive pills. Formulations containing 24 active pills and four inactive pills, known as a shortened pill-free interval, also are available.

    You take a pill every day and start a new pack when you finish the old one (every 28 days). Bleeding occurs every month during the week when you take the last four to seven inactive pills.

  • Continuous dosing or extended cycle. These typically contain 84 active pills and seven inactive pills. Bleeding generally occurs only four times a year during the seven days you take the inactive pills.

    A 365-day pill also is available. You take this pill every day at the same time. For some women, periods stop altogether. For others, periods become significantly lighter.

Continuous-dosing and extended-cycle pills might provide additional benefits of suppressing menstruation, such as:

  • Prevention and treatment of excessive bleeding related to uterine fibroids
  • Prevention of menstrual migraines
  • Reduction in menstruation-associated worsening of certain conditions, including seizures
  • Relief from pain related to endometriosis

Combination birth control pills aren't appropriate for everyone, however. Your health care provider might suggest you take another form of birth control if you:

  • Are in the first month of breast-feeding
  • Are older than 35 and smoke
  • Have poorly controlled high blood pressure
  • Have a history of or current deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
  • Have a history of stroke or heart disease
  • Have a history of breast cancer
  • Have migraines with aura
  • Have diabetes-related complications, such as nephropathy, retinopathy or neuropathy
  • Have liver disease
  • Have unexplained uterine bleeding
  • Will be immobilized for a prolonged period due to major surgery

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What is the purpose of triphasic pills?

Triphasic pills have been found to improve acne, not to affect weight or blood pressure, and to reduce the frequency of headaches, nervousness, and breast tenderness.

What is the point of biphasic birth control?

Biphasic oral contraceptives purportedly attempt to 'mimic' the rising and falling pattern of estrogen and progesterone as seen during the normal menstrual cycle (Upton 1983). Overall, this results in a lower total monthly steroid dosage in comparison with most older monophasic oral contraceptives.

What is the difference between monophasic and triphasic birth control?

Monophasic vs. As the names suggest, monophasic pills provide the same level of hormones throughout the pill cycle. Triphasic pills also induce a steady state of hormones, but at 3 different levels during the cycle. The 2 types are equally effective for pregnancy prevention.

What is a triphasic oral contraceptive pill?

Triphasic oral contraceptive pills have 3 different doses of progestin and estrogen that change approximately every 7 days. Ethinylestradiol and norethindrone (Aranelle, Tri-Norinyl, Leena, Alyacen 7/7/7, Necon 7/7/7, Notrel 7/7/7, Dasetta 7/7/7, Cyclafem 7/7/7) Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel (Enpresse, Trivora)