Birth control pills
The birth control pill is the most widely used form of contraception in the Netherlands. It is a pill containing hormones that, among other things: prevent the release of an egg, thicken the mucus in the cervix so that sperm do not get through as well, and prevent the uterine wall from being favorable for an egg to nestle.
There are two main categories of birth control pill: the combined pill and the pill without estrogen.
The combined pill
The combined pill contains two types of hormones: estrogen and progestogen. Estrogen makes your period predictable. Progestogen keeps you from getting pregnant. There are three types of combination pills: one-phase pill, three-phase pills and four-phase pills. These phases have to do with the composition of the hormones and ensures that it mimics menstruation as closely as possible.
- Reliable (99.5%) if taken properly
- Menstruation can be delayed or scheduled
- You can take it yourself
- Less reliable in case of vomiting, diarrhea and forgetting the pill
- Does not protect against STDs
- You have to think about it daily
- Cannot be combined with breastfeeding
Up to age 21, the birth control pill is covered by insurance. After that, you have to pay for it. In that case, it very much depends on which brand and for how many months you order the pill, what the rate is. On average, a box, good for 3 months, of the combined pill costs between €10 and €25.
The cerazette
or "mini-pill"
The mini-pill contains one hormone: progestogen. This hormone keeps you from getting pregnant. Because estrogen is missing from this pill, it is possible to combine it with breastfeeding. This is also a good method if you experience a lot of side effects from the combined pill. With the cerazette you have no stop week, so every day you take a pill. The cerazette is just as effective as the combined pill. As with the combined pill, however, it is important to take the cerazette the right way.
- Reliable, if taken properly
- To be combined with breastfeeding
- To be taken by yourself
- Preferably take at a set time each day
- Menstruation changes, or stays away altogether
- Does not protect against STDs
- You have to think about it daily
The cost of cerazette for 3 months is between €10 and €15.