Three-phase contraceptive pills quite accurately mimic the natural cycle of hormone secretion, and therefore should be well tolerated by women. However, their use requires strict control - the package contains as many as three groups of tablets, and each of them must be taken in the right order to effectively prevent pregnancy. How exactly do three-phase pills work? Who are they suitable for? How to use them? When to start taking them?

Three-phase contraceptive pillsis a term for three groups of contraceptive pills, of different color and composition - each of them contains a different dose of progestogens. In addition, sometimes one group of tablets contains a higher dose of estrogens than the other two. This is different than in the case of biphasic tablets, in which there are only two types of tablets differing in color and progestogen content (but not estrogen), as well as monophasic pills (all tablets have the same color and composition, and additionally contain the least hormones of all phase tablets).

Three-phase contraceptive pills - how do they work?

The package contains 21 tablets - 6 light brown, 5 white and 10 dark yellow (there is also a combination of 7 + 7 + 7). These are combined contraceptive pills, i.e. those containing synthetic equivalents of two hormones - estrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (norethisterone).

All three types of pills differ in the dose of progestogen - successive pills contain progestogen derivatives in increasingly larger doses, i.e. pills taken at the beginning of the cycle contain small doses of synthetic progestogen, and those taken at the end have the highest amount of it.

Besides, sometimes the first and last group of tablets contain the same dose of synthetic estrogen, and the middle series contain an increased dose of these hormones (e.g. 0.03 / 0.04 / 0.03 mg). However, this only applies to some of the three-phase tablets - there are also some on the market that contain the same dose of ethinylestradiol.

Three-phase pills work similarly to the two-phase ones - they inhibit ovulation, increase the density of mucus, creating a barrier for sperm and cause changes in the endometrium, preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.

Three-phase contraceptive pills -indications

Three-phase contraceptive pills are intended for women who have regular cycles, as they only introduce minor changes in the hormonal balance.

They are also recommended for women for whom monophasic pills are unsuitable (e.g. due to spotting or excessive bleeding).

They can also be asked by gynecology women in the menopausal period, because they regulate a partially disturbed hormonal balance.

Three-phase contraceptive pills - how to use?

The three-phase birth control pills - like the single and two-phase birth control pills - should be taken at the same time every day for 21 days. Take the tablets one by one, first in the first series, then in the second and third series. Next to each tablet there is a symbol of the day of the week it should be taken.

Mistakes in taking triphasic pills can cause ovulation and thus pregnancy

After 21 days, you should take a 7-day break in taking them, during which the so-called withdrawal bleeding. The contraceptive effect also continues during this one-week break.

Take the first tablet of the next pack on day 8, even if the bleeding is still ongoing.

Three-phase, single and two-phase contraceptive pills

Three-phase contraceptive pills "mimic" the natural cycle more precisely than the single- and two-phase pills, therefore they only introduce slight changes in the hormonal balance, and thus - are well tolerated. The incidence of side effects is lower than with single and two-phase agents.

Unfortunately, their use requires strict control, therefore the risk of error (and thus - pregnancy) is greater than in the case of single- and two-phase tablets.

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Pregnancy