In addition to modest side effects like bloating, spotting, and acne, hormonal birth control pills can also raise your chance of more significant health problems including blood clots.
In the past, there was only one way to take birth control pills: taking a daily hormone pill for 21 days, followed by a placebo pill (usually made of sugar) for 7 days. During the week of taking the placebo pill, you would have your period. Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptives, contain hormones that stop your ovaries from releasing eggs during ovulation and encourage the thickening of cervical mucus to act as a barrier between sperm and any eggs that may be released.
Although birth control pills offer a lot of freedom, there are some drawbacks. Read on to find out more about these and other factors. Some of the variations of the pill available today only include four days of placebo pills, while others don’t have any at all, allowing you to skip your period entirely.
Are birth control pills linked to any possible health risks?
Although these concerns are uncommon, almost all estrogen-based birth control methods can raise your risk of developing certain health problems. More significant health risks associated with birth control pills include:
thrombosis gallbladder disease
heart attack and hypertension
stroke with liver cancer
are slated to undergo surgery that will restrict your range of motion while you recover.
had an aura-accompanied migraine or experienced jaundice while pregnant or taking the pill.
possess a history of obesity or extremely high blood pressure or stroke
suffer from chest pain or a heart attack
use any prescription or over-the-counter medications that may interact with hormones; have diabetes-related complications that impact your blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, or vision; have had liver, breast, or uterine cancer; have heart or liver disease; experience irregular breakthrough bleeding; or have had a blood clot in the past.
To reduce the likelihood of health issues, make sure to inform your physician if you:
are taking medication for epilepsy and nursing
have diabetes, high cholesterol, renal, liver, or heart problems, or feel depressed or have been diagnosed with depression
Take any herbal supplements if you recently had an abortion or miscarriage and had a baby.
believe that one or both of your breasts may be changing or have a lump.
Non hormonal birth control might be a better choice for you if these concerns worry you.
What more factors need your attention?
In addition to potential side effects and health hazards, here are a few more things to consider before deciding to use birth control pills:
Timeline: It takes roughly seven days for the medication to begin to work. You will need to utilize a backup method of contraception if you engage in sexual activity during that time.
In order to avoid pregnancy, you must take the pill at the same time every day. If you miss a dose, you will need to use a backup method of birth control for the next seven days. Additionally, you may experience mild bleeding or spotting following a lapse in contraception.
Frequency: The pill must be taken at the same time each day; if you miss a dose, you will need to use a backup method of birth control for the next seven days to avoid getting pregnant; and you may experience light bleeding or spotting following a lapse in contraception.
Protection: Although birth control pills can help prevent pregnancy, they do not offer any protection against STIs; therefore, you will need to wear a condom or other type of birth control to prevent STIs.
Intimacy: You won’t have to stop during intercourse to take the pill because it doesn’t interfere with any sexual activity.
Can long-term use of birth control pills be considered safe?
Long-term use of birth control pills is generally safe. The majority of research investigating the relationship between birth control pills and cancer comes from observational studies, which the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source states cannot conclusively establish a link between birth control pills and cancer. Nevertheless, these studies have shown that birth control pills may raise the risk of breastTrusted Source and cervical cancer and lower the risk of endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. If you are worried about your risk of developing a particular type of cancer, consult your physician, who can help you assess other factors that may raise your risk and assist you in selecting a course of action that suits you.