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Medical Video: Birth Control Pills
Contraception is available in a variety of methods, from natural birth control to IUDs, condoms, oral contraceptives, vaginal rings, and hormone patches. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, both in terms of comfort, potential side effects, and the effectiveness of pregnancy prevention. What about birth control pills?
How the birth control pills work
Birth control pills contain a synthetic version of two hormones produced naturally in a woman's body: estrogen and progestin. Both of these hormones regulate a woman's menstrual cycle, and the ups and downs of these hormones play an important role in pregnancy. These contraceptive pills are available in two types, combination pills (containing progestins and estrogen) and mini pills (only progestins).
The hormones contained in pills work in three ways to prevent pregnancy from happening: First, prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs to prevent fertilization from happening. Second, change the thickness of the cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to move into the uterus to look for eggs. Finally, change the lining of the uterine wall so that it is impossible for the fertilized egg to be embedded in the uterus.
How effective are birth control pills?
Birth control pills are very effective, especially if consumed consistently and follow the doctor's directions, every day at the same time.
Used perfectly, the standard effectiveness of contraceptive pills is reported to reach 99 percent. A little different from mini pills. Reporting from WebMD, if used consistently and in accordance with directions, the success rate of a mini pill reaches 95 percent - somewhat less effective than standard birth control pills.
But this success rate must also consider other factors, such as forgetting to take a dose or running out of dose before you can refill. Mistakes on how to use or late doses can reduce pill effectiveness by between 92-94 percent.
Who can use birth control pills?
Birth control pills are safe for use by most women. However, pills are not recommended for women who are overweight and those who are 35 years or older who smoke. If you don't smoke, you can use hormone pills until menopause. In addition to the two conditions above, contraceptive pills are not recommended for women who have had:
- Blood clots in the arms, legs or lungs
- Serious heart or heart disease
- Breast or uterine cancer
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Migraine with aura
What are the benefits of birth control pills?
Birth control pills provide several additional health benefits besides preventing pregnancy, including:
- Menstrual cycles are more regular. Hormone pills cause the menstrual cycle to occur regularly. This is very helpful for women who have menstrual cycles too fast or too rarely. Menstruation also tends to be lighter and shorter.
- Cramps and menstrual pain are lighter (dysmenorrhea)
- Low chance of iron deficiency anemia. This pill reduces the amount of blood flow during menstruation. The amount of blood lost plays an important role in preventing anemia.
- Suppresses the risk of symptomatic endometriosis. Pills will not cure endometriosis, but may stop the progression of the disease. Birth control pills are the first choice for controlling the growth of endometriosis and pain, because hormone therapy through birth control pills is the least side effect.
- Risk of fibrocystic breast risk. 70-90 percent of patients report an increase in conditions from fibrocystic breast through oral contraceptive therapy.
- Relieves hirsutism. Estrogen and progestin in pills will reduce the development of male sex hormones (androgens and testosterone) which cause growth of facial and body hair, especially on the chin, chest and abdomen.
- Prevent ectopic pregnancy. Oral hormone contraception is the best type of contraception for women who are at high risk for ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening condition.
- Does not affect fertility, although it may take 2-3 months to get pregnant after stopping the pill if compared to those who don't use birth control pills as contraception.
- Relieves acne
- Prevent osteoporosis
- Reducing the risk of ovarian cancer, uterus and large intestine
- The risk of ovarian cysts and other non-cancerous cysts is low
- Manage symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Protect from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Will not interfere with sexual activity
What are the shortcomings of birth control pills?
Most women experience mild and temporary effects, such as headaches, nausea, breast pain, bleeding between menstruation, and mood swings, during the first three months - if the side effects don't disappear after a few months, it might help to change to the type or brand different pills.
Some side effects include rare to rare, but may be dangerous. Among them:
- Heart attack. This opportunity is very small, unless you smoke.
- Stroke. Women who take birth control pills and have a history of migraine show an increased risk of stroke, compared to users who do not have migraines.
- Increase blood pressure. Women taking these hormone pills usually experience a temporary increase in blood pressure, although readings usually remain within the normal range. Blood pressure must be monitored for several months after women start using oral contraception.
- Venous thromboembolism. Studies consistently show that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is two to six times higher in oral contraceptive users than non-users. However, this risk only affects 3 to 6 of 10,000 women taking birth control pills, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
- Gain weight. This is often caused by fluid buildup or estrogen storage due to the thighs, hips, and breasts. Weight gain is also related to the lack of physical activity or increased food intake.
- Depression, irritability, mood changes
Lastly, although it is effective for preventing pregnancy, this pill does not protect you from transmission of venereal disease. Combine the use of birth control pills with latex condoms or female condoms during sex to prevent opportunities for the spread of the disease.
