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What is the 'pill'?
The birth control pill is the most widely used form of birth control. It is comprised of synthetic hormones which act to prevent ovulation and produce other changes which prevent conception. Many women find that the pill has many pleasant side effects. Menstruation is typically lighter, shorter and with fewer cramps. Others do not like the fact that not all of the side effects of the pill are currently known. The pill is not an effective method to prevent STDs.
How effective is the birth control pill?
One major attribute of the pill is that it is nearly 100% effective when used properly. Real effectiveness is actually about 92-95% due to misuse.
How is the birth control pill taken?
The pill is either administered on a 28-day or 21-day cycle. The 28-day pill is given for each day of the period, 7 of which are really just ‘filler’ pills (placebos) containing no hormones. The purpose of these placebos is to ensure the woman is maintaining the correct schedule of doses. In the 21-day pack, there are 7 days a month in which you do not take a pill, and the woman must remember to resume the dose schedule after the 7 day break. In the last week of the dose schedule there are no hormones ingested, allowing a menstruation which is usually lighter, shorter and less painful than normal. If the pill is going to become an effective birth control method for you then it must become part of your daily routine.
What are the physical effects of the pill?
Short-term effects
It is important to know that all of the side effects produced by the pill are not yet known. The more recent brands of the pill, however, are far less potent than when the pill was first introduced. The pill causes few short term side effects, though some women find that they experience occasional headaches, breakthrough bleeding and mood changes. Spotting or breakthrough bleeding is due to a lack of estrogen in the first half of the cycle and a lack of progesterone in the second half. Bleeding normally stops without treatment; if it continues, your physician will likely recommend that you change to a different brand. If you have been on the pill for several years and experience spotting then see your physician immediately to determine the cause.
There are many pleasant side effects to the pill. Menstruation is usually lighter, shorter and less painful. For most women the menstrual schedule becomes very predictable with menstruation occurring when there is a drop in hormones. It is even possible to change the day your period starts by stopping before the end of a package or adding pills to the end. Please consult your physician or family planning center before you attempt to change the day your period starts.
The pill also aids in the prevention of such health problems as anemia and ovarian cysts.
Long-term effects
Studies have shown that those who take the pill have a decreased risk in developing anemia, pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer of the uterus and ovaries. Furthermore, it helps problems such as cysts of the breasts or ovaries, acne, irregular bleeding and endometriosis.
Taking the birth control pill may cause a variety of long term complications. It is important for you to identify if you are at risk. Women who have had a history of circulatory disease should question their doctor if they are at serious risk because blood vessel and blood clotting disorders are more common in users of the birth control pill. Specifically, those women taking the pill have a higher risk of developing blood clots in the leg or pelvis, pulmonary embolism and heart attack or stroke.
Those who suffer from migraines should also question the use of the pill. If the migraines worsen during use of the pill, then usage should be discontinued.
The addition of hormones into the body will make certain tumors grow faster, thus anyone with a known or suspected cancer should not take the pill. It is important to note that the pill decreases by half the risk of cancer of the ovaries and the endometrium. The effects of the pill on skin cancer and cancer of the cervix are not clear.
The pill will increase the breast size of most women. Those women with benign breast disease (tender or lumpy breasts) may see an improvement in their condition while others may experience no significant change. The pill will also affect the breasts by decreasing the amount of breast milk produced. Women who want to take the pill during breast feeding should consult their doctor, however, the quality of the breast milk is not significantly affected.
Women who have had liver damage should not take the pill. The pill causes a small increase in rare tumors of the liver. For diabetic women, the use of the birth control pill may change insulin needs. It may also change the results of the glucose tolerance test.
The pill may also cause some women to become depressed, irritable and/or tired. This problem is usually not recognized until they discontinue use of the pill and gradually begin to feel better. Check with your doctor if the pill will adversely affect any of the prescription drugs which you may be required to take. The pill will increase the effect of some drugs such as alcohol and decrease the affects of other drugs such as some pain-killers.
The pill may also cause some unwanted physical changes. It can cause the water retention which in tern can cause bloating, irritability, leg cramps and nausea. If you suspect that this is a problem, you should ask your physician about changing the brand of pill that you use. Some women may have dark rings around their eyes due to the estrogen. A weaker brand of pill will normally correct this problem. Some women experience weight gain and an increased appetite which can be controlled by switching to a pill with a weaker progesterone level.
These and other side effects are possible when you begin taking the birth control pill. It is important that you stay informed and check with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above.
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