When it comes to over-the-counter medications, there is one that may not be prescribed but is widely used, and is known simply as the “pill”. Birth control pills are used by millions of women around the world, and are one of the most popular methods of contraception in Australia.
The right thing to do regarding contraception is to have a thorough discussion with your gynecologist, to list all your questions and concerns and then, based on the data you have, to decide the ideal method for you.
Like all medicines, there are side effects with this pill. Some may be positive, while others could be negative. That’s why it’s important to understand how the pill works.
Positive side effects of birth control pills
When birth control pills first appeared on the market, their use was only to help prevent pregnancy. However, the way hormones in the pill work to prevent pregnancy also affects menstruation and acne. The combined contraceptive pill contains a combination of estrogen and progestogen hormones. Different brands and types of pills have different types of estrogen and progestogens in different doses, but all variants of the combined pill work in a similar way to prevent pregnancy.
First, it stops ovulating during a menstrual cycle. Without an egg for fertilization, you can not get pregnant. Second, it thickens the mucus around your cervix to make it harder for sperm to enter the uterus. Third, it thins the wall of the uterus to prevent the implantation of any fertilized eggs.
So how does the pill help with menstruation?
Hormones in the pill can help with painful, heavy, or irregular menstruation. The pill can also reduce cramps and premenstrual syndrome and will usually make your period lighter and more regular.
The pill also helps regulate your cycles.
Another positive side effect of the pill has to do with acne. Hormonal acne is caused by an excess of androgen hormones. Everyone, men and women, have male and female sex hormones. However, when women produce too much androgen, their bodies produce too much sebum, the fat that keeps skin and hair soft – but it also clogs pores and can turn into pimples.
That’s why hormonal contraceptive pills can help eliminate acne – they balance the hormones in your system and prevent the production of excess sebum.
Negative side effects of the contraceptive pill
Not getting pregnant, the lighter periods, the disappearance of acne, all sound like great reasons to start taking the pill, but there are some negative side effects that you should be aware of.
For example, the pill may cause bleeding or spots, chest pain, headaches, nausea, weight gain, decreased libido and mood swings. These types of side effects are usually mild and subside within 2 to 3 months of taking the pill as your body adjusts to the hormones.
There are also more important side effects, such as:
- venous thrombosis
- high blood pressure
- stroke
- heart attack
There have been some studies that have shown an increased risk of breast and cervical cancer, but also a reduced risk of endometrial, ovarian and colon cancer.
For all the above reasons, before you decide to turn to this method of contraception you should consult your gynecologist, who also knows your history.
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