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> The Pill
The information presented here is intended
as a guide. Please consult your doctor or health professional for
assistance.
Birth Control Pill
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 STI's.
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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