Harmful birth control pills

  

Harmful birth control pills

Contraceptive pills

The contraceptive pill consists of two types of hormones manufactured; They are: the hormone estrogen (in English: estrogen) and the hormone progestin (in English: progestin). The contraceptive pill may contain both types, or only the hormone progestin, and bearing in mind that these hormones are produced naturally in a woman's ovaries, [1] It should be noted To the necessity to use all types of birth control pills exactly as directed by the health care provider, even on days when sexual intercourse does not take place, [2] as the effectiveness of these pills in preventing pregnancy is approximately 99%. 

Harmful birth control pills

The hormones in the contraceptive pill may cause some side effects in some women, and it is good to mention that these side effects are not dangerous, as it is possible that some risks will occur as a result of using the contraceptive pill, as is the case when using any other medicine, usually These symptoms do not disappear within 2-3 months of using the pills, but these effects do not occur in all women, as many of them use the contraceptive pill without facing any problems, and it is worth noting that the contraceptive pill has existed for decades, and millions of women use it. It is safe, so if some annoying side effects appear when you start using it, it is advised to continue, and to give the body a chance to adapt and adapt to the hormones. [4]

Temporary side effects

Spotting between periods

The occurrence of vaginal bleeding in the periods between the expected menstrual periods is common, and this bleeding usually disappears within three months of starting the use of the contraceptive pill, and this bleeding may be due to the fact that the uterus is trying to adapt to the presence of a thin lining of the uterus, or that the body It is trying to adapt to different levels of hormones, and it is worth noting that the contraceptive pill is effective during periods of bleeding, as long as it is used correctly, and without skipping any dose, but the health care provider should be consulted in the event of severe or profuse bleeding for 3 days or more. Or if bleeding occurs for 5 days or more despite using birth control pills. [5]

Nausea

Some women may feel mild nausea when starting to take the contraceptive pill, and it may help to take the pill with food or at bedtime, and this symptom usually disappears or lessens after a while, but medical help should be sought if it is Nausea is severe or lasts for more than three months. [5]

Breast pain

Breast pain is a relatively common side effect during the first month of using the contraceptive pill, and its occurrence is due to the fact that the contraceptive pill has not inhibited the work of the ovaries yet, meaning that the woman's body is still producing its own hormones, in addition to the body getting additional amounts of the hormone estrogen It is found in the contraceptive pill, but this symptom becomes less common after the first month of taking the pill. [6]

Headache

Hormonal changes cause many women to have headaches , and some women have reported that their headaches improve during the period of taking the pills, while other headaches increase and become more frequent, especially in the week when they do not use the pills, when estrogen levels are low. [7]

Mood swings

Some women may suffer from side effects that may affect their decision about starting to take the oral contraceptive pill, and these effects include mood swings or depression , so it is necessary to see a doctor to familiarize him with the patient's history of depression before starting the contraceptive pill. [8]

Decreased sexual desire

The percentage of women who suffer from a decrease in sexual desire is estimated to be between 5-10% of all women who take the contraceptive pill, as the synthetic hormones present in these pills and other hormonal contraceptives reduce sexual desire in some women. [9]

Vaginal secretions

Vaginal secretions may change in women who use the contraceptive pill, as vaginal lubrication may increase or decrease, or the nature of the secretions may change while taking the contraceptive pill, and these changes are usually harmless, except that a change in the smell or color of the secretions can indicate It is necessary to see the health care provider when these changes occur. [5]

The risks of birth control pills

The use of combined birth control pills can increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke in some women, but these risks are uncommon, [2] but the risk of these effects increases in women who smoke, especially those over 35 years of age, and it also increases. the risk of rising three - level triglycerides ( in English: triglyceride), and the incidence of gallbladder disease, and inflammation of the pancreas ( in English: pancreatitis) when using the contraceptive pill, [10] it is good to mention that the contraceptive pill reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, [11] and so By 50%, it also reduces the risk of endometrial cancer by 50% as well, [3]In addition, they reduce the risk of cancer of both the pelvis and the uterus, and despite all of this, the contraceptive pill increases the risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer slightly, [11] research has shown that even if there is a risk of breast cancer, it is small. , [3] It should be noted that the risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer returns to normal after ten years of stopping the use of the contraceptive pill. [11]

Prohibitions to take birth control pills

Although the use of the contraceptive pill is considered safe for most women, it is not recommended to use the contraceptive pill for smokers over the age of 35, but if a woman is not a smoker, she can use hormonal contraception until she reaches menopause , but Do not use hormonal contraception if a woman has previously been exposed to one of the following cases: [12]

Having blood clots or clots in the arms, legs or lungs.

Irregular high blood pressure.

Severe heart or liver disease.

Breast cancer or uterine cancer.

Migraine associated with aura (in English: Aura): [12] This aura is defined as a series of sensory disturbances that occur shortly before the occurrence of the headache attack, and usually lasts for a period ranging between 20-60 minutes, and these disorders range from seeing bright spots, or Sparks, or squiggly shapes, to a feeling of numbness on one side of the body, or an inability to speak clearly. [13]

See a doctor

You should see a health care provider as soon as possible if you suffer from one of the following conditions while using the combined contraceptive pill: [14]

Tummy ache.

Chest pain.

Depression.

Fainting.

A lump in the breast.

Epileptic seizures .

The emergence of eye problems, such as: double vision, loss of vision, or blurry vision.

The appearance of a severe allergic rash.

Feeling of severe leg pain or swelling.

Severe mood swings.

Difficulty speaking or speaking.

Jaundice, or a yellow discoloration of the skin.

Twice a missed period, or signs of pregnancy.

First-time headache or worsening headache.

The relationship of birth control pills to weight gain

Many women feel anxious about starting the contraceptive pill, because they think that they cause weight gain, because they contain hormones, but in fact the contraceptive pill does not cause weight gain in most cases, and in fact there are many studies conducted with the aim of finding the relationship between Use of birth control pills and weight gain, and you did not find any relationship or link between the two. [15]

The possibility of getting pregnant after stopping the use of birth control pills

A woman can get pregnant as soon as possible after stopping the contraceptive pill, and if pregnancy occurs while using the pill, and the woman wants to continue taking the pills during pregnancy, there is no additional risk to the child. [3]

Benefits of birth control pills

Most hormonal contraceptives reduce the duration of the menstrual cycle, as well as reduce its bleeding, and it has been proven that oral contraceptives reduce the incidence of ovarian cysts, and hormonal contraceptives reduce the possibility of developing some types of cancer in women. As previously mentioned - some methods of contraception can help relieve acne and other hormonal problems. [16]

 

References

↑ "Birth control pills" , medlineplus.gov , Retrieved 3-8-2020. Edited.

^ A b "Birth Control - Pill" , Www.hhs.gov , Retrieved 3-8-2020. Edited.

^ A b t w " by THE PILL" , Www.familyplanning.org.nz , Retrieved 3-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "What are the side effects of the birth control pill?" , www.plannedparenthood.org , Retrieved 5-8-2020. Edited.

^ A b t "10 by most Common Birth Control Pill Side Effects" , www.medicalnewstoday.com The , Retrieved 3-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "Birth Control Pills and Breast Tenderness" , www.brooksidepress.org , Retrieved 3-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "Hormone headaches" , www.nhs.uk , Retrieved 3-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "You Asked: Do Oral Contraceptives Cause Mood Swings or Depression?" , womensmentalhealth.org , Retrieved 4-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "libido and birth control" , www.pandiahealth.com , Retrieved 4-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "What are the benefits and risks of taking birth control pills?" , www.drugs.com , Retrieved 5-8-2020. Edited.

^ A b v " the Combined Pill -Your Contraception , Book : Secondary Navigation" , Www.nhs.uk , Retrieved 5-8-2020. Edited.

^ A b "Birth Control - Pills" , the www.webmd.com , Retrieved 5-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "Understanding Migraine with Aura" , americanmigrainefoundation.org , Retrieved 5-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "Combination birth control pills" , www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved 5-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "Does birth control make you gain weight?" , www.singlecare.com , Retrieved 5-8-2020. Edited.

↑ "7 Health Benefits of Birth Control" , www.nationwidechildrens.org , Retrieved 5-8-2020. Edited.