Health problems caused by birth control pills
These are oral drug forms containing various types of synthetic hormonal substances involved in preventing pregnancy. Were placed on the consumer market in 1960 and has since enjoyed a vast popularity largely justified. Birth control pills contain a combination in various proportions and concentrations of estrogen and progesterone – female hormones – synthesis. Women who want to use this type of contraception they will choose from the variety of products that combination that suits them best, and the choice can be made with your gynecologist.How it works
To come to your help when you choose such a pharmaceutical product, will expose both mechanism of action and the risk / benefit of their administration. Their role is to prevent the ovary to expel the egg (ovulation) and that, since not reach the fallopian tube and into the uterus, it will not be fertilized. The contraceptive pills have a role and thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus to fertilize the egg.
These should be taken so as to coincide with the phases of the menstrual cycle. Depending on the type of pill will be prescribed as the first pill to yourself at the beginning of each menstrual cycle. You then have to take the pill every day for three weeks with approximately around the same time of day. During the fourth week of the menstrual cycle, taking pills will stop, and at the end of this week to produce menstruation.
Some types of birth control pills come in help for easy use, containing the film in addition to the 21 active pills, a total of seven different color pills without active substance (hormone) that is taken during the fourth week of the . Films other products containing these inactive pills for the period of the fourth week, in this case the administration will actually be interrupted during this period, with its resumption after a week.
In the first 7 days of the first month of any product will be used and another method of contraception, in this first period was not effective protection. After this the beginning of the administration of contraceptives no longer need another complementary method of preventing pregnancy.
Effect of oral contraceptives is reversible. After stopping the pill may result in conditions perfectly normal pregnancy. It is recommended however that a pregnancy is carried to a period of at least 12 months after the last administration of contraceptive pills. If a pregnancy does occur stop taking them immediately after miscarriage risk.
Besides contraception, your doctor may prescribe you pills and to reduce menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), length of menstrual period in the case of irregular cycles, etc.. They can also have an effect in reducing the risk of the following conditions:
– Ovarian and endometrial
– Pelvic inflammatory disease
– Polycystic ovary
– Iron deficiency anemia
– Cancer of the colon or rectum.
This method of contraception but also has no role in preventing sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV / AIDS, genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, etc..
Their management advantages are: good compliance – easy to manage, low price does not inhibit sexual spontaneity as other methods of contraception (condom with spermicide films, membranes).
Especially in women who smoke are at greater risk for a range of disorders including myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular thrombosis, etc.. But the risk of these diseases has decreased in the last period by using the latest generation contraceptives with low hormones – microdoses.
Side effects can be listed as follows:
- Abdominal cramps and bloating sensation
- Weight gain
- nausea
- Bleeding between periods
- Change the amount of menstrual blood
- Increased sensitivity of breasts.
Consult doctor when any of these side effects become bothersome.
You should not use oral contraceptives in the following situations:
- Smoke more than 15 cigarettes per day and have more than 35 years
- You have the personal history myocardial infarction, stroke or vascular thrombosis
- Have or have had some form of breast cancer, uterine or liver.
Recent research shows a slight increase in risk of breast cancer in a prolonged administration of pills.
Disadvantages of birth control are:
- Can not be used by women who smoke or have health problems associated
- There may be sometimes dangerous side effects (rare)
- Should be given the same time of day and every day
- Does not provide protection for STDs
- Must use a method of contraception for the first 7 days of complementary pills administered within the first month.
Estrogens in their composition may have the effect of raising HDL cholesterol considered the beneficial effects of cholesterol-lowering effect with negative – LDH. Progesterone pills will have the opposite effect than estrogen. It can be seen the effect of fluid retention and enlarged fat cells but not their number increased. Oral contraceptives can also cause high blood pressure. This growth will increase with age and with increasing duration of administration of pills. The risk is even greater when the woman has a predisposition for this condition or you already suffer from hypertension. In this case either will choose another way of preventing a pregnancy will be carefully monitored pressure values.