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Unwanted pregnancy has always been a huge problem. As a result, individuals have tried several methods, all in a bid to avoid the family way. As such, people have tried several methods to avoid it.
Over the years, people have resorted to the use of condoms, birth control pills, withdrawal methods, abstinence, and some other weird methods - like, taking antibiotics. Of all these, hormonal birth control methods stand out, and this involves birth control pills.
Because all advantages are accompanied with disadvantages, But then, anything that has an advantage has a disadvantage hence, birth control pills have side effects ranging from unhealthy weight gain to amenorrhea.
In this article, we'll look at the looming disadvantages of using birth control pills and how you can control and remedy them.
Birth control pills are hormone-containing oral contraceptives which prevent the release of eggs from your ovaries during ovulation. These pills cause thickening of the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm away from the egg.
If the sperm doesn’t get to the egg, fertilisation cannot occur. Hence, no pregnancy.
We have several variations of birth control pills, but they come in two forms:
Generally, the pill seems more effective than the mini pill, but before you get started on any, make sure you get a prescription from your doctor.
Also known as COCs, the pill contains a combination of estrogen and progestin. The work of estrogen is to prevent the eggs from developing, while progestin works to prevent ovulation from taking place and encourages the thickening of the cervical mucus.
POPs or the “mini-pill” contain progestins, norethindrone or drospirenone. The work of the mini-pill is to thicken the cervical mucus, keeping the sperm away from the egg.
In some cases, minipills prevent ovulation, i.e., the release of an egg. And it also alters the uteral lining to stop the implantation of fertilised ova.
Unlike the other birth control pills, the emergency pill is not intended for daily use. These pills contain levonorgestrel or ulipristal which prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or in cases where other contraceptives are not used.
The pill doesn't work to eliminate an already developing pregnancy. And the sooner you take the emergency pill, the more effective it’d be.
Source: WebMD
The side effects of birth control pills are not typical for every woman. And when these side effects show, they may only last for a few months.
If you are experiencing any prolonged side effects of the pill, reach out to your healthcare provider.
Several factors could tamper with your sex drive, but in some cases, the pill may have a role to play.
As we discussed earlier, the pills have female hormones, estrogen and progestin (a form of progesterone). As these female hormones increase as a result of these pills, especially ‘the pill’, it accompanies a relative decrease in testosterone.
Isn’t that a male hormone? Yeah,right. it is. But women also have the hormone in smaller amounts. So why is this hormone so important? Testosterone is the hormone that makes you want to have sex. So if it is reduced, it explains the lowered sexual drive.
However, it is not ideal for every woman as some women still lead normal sexual lives even with birth control pills, but if you already have low amounts of testosterone, this could be a problem.
Also, as a result of some other side effects of birth control pills, like vaginal dryness and breast tenderness, the desire to have sex may just not be there.
Meanwhile, some instances show that birth control pills can also increase libido, mainly because the pill relieves menstrual cramps, endometriosis and other painful menstruation symptoms.
The hormone estrogen is a friendly one which can create relationships with other hormones and organs in the body. In this case, higher levels of estrogen (pills with at least 50 mcgm estrogen or more) can stimulate the kidneys to produce renin-angiotensin, which contributes to salt and water retention. This fluid retention usually occurs, especially in the breast and hip areas, according to patients experiencing it.
However, some studies show that pills with lesser concentrations of estrogen, 20mcgm, can cause weight loss, while pills with 30mgcm estrogen will cause no change in weight.
The main point is the higher the level of estrogen, the more you are at risk of fluid retention.
Those at more risk of this side effect are patients suffering from GIT disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome.
Just as high levels of estrogen can lead to fluid retention, there is also a high chance of weight gain.
Well, this is a common side effect of the pill which affects about 50% of the women using it. The good news is it usually resolves after three months of use for 90% of women. For others, it might take longer. However, you can seek advice from a medical practitioner if spotting takes way longer than you expect.
Now, why the spotting? As we said earlier, estrogen forms a really good relationship is many other organs in the body. Intermenstrual spotting occurs as the body responds to different levels of hormones, which affects the uterine lining, making it thinner.
Spotting doesn’t reduce the activity of the pill. It remains effective as long as you take it correctly.
Birth control pills do not just go into your body and cause a yeast infection, but it leads to it. Asides from birth control pills, other hormone-containing birth control methods like the patch, ring, and hormonal IUD could also increase your risk of getting a yeast infection. How is that?
Birth control pills disrupt the natural balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body for a good reason, to avoid pregnancy. But at the same time, high levels of estrogen cause the vagina to produce more amounts of sugar—glycogen (Prenen, Micheline, and M. Ledoux-Corbusier; 1971). Candida, a common form of yeast responsible for candidiasis, consumes sugar and uses the nutrient to grow.
Candida overgrowth occurs when it attaches to the sugar-producing estrogen, decreasing estrogen levels. Decreased levels of estrogen accompany increased levels of progesterone—the perfect condition for candida and bacteria to flourish, leading to a yeast infection.
Spermicides and douches can also alter the yeast-bacteria balance in the vagina, causing overgrowth of the yeast and subsequently a vaginal yeast infection.
Estrogen and progesterone have many effects on the female body. Although this is still under study, high estrogen levels (especially the combination pills) have been linked to an increased risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, because it increases the levels of clotting factors.
Pregnant women also experience blood clots because of high estrogen levels during pregnancy. A woman is said to produce more estrogen during one pregnancy than the rest of her life not pregnant.
Blood clots can become life-threatening. So it is best to visit a medical practitioner before starting ‘the pill’ if you have a family history. Or while taking ‘the pill’ if you notice any signs of blood clots.
It is not uncommon to experience pain in the breast after starting birth control pills. This is because of the high estrogen levels that cause fluid retention, mainly evident in the breasts and hip region.
This side effect normally goes away after a while, but if you notice prolonged pain or a lump, you should seek medical attention.
Most birth control pills have the placebo pill, also known as the inactive pill. These pills help to keep you on track since birth control pills have daily doses.
On the days you take these placebo pills, the risk of having headaches is high due to the drop in estrogen levels.
The way or form of headaches depends on the pill you’re taking. However, it is believed that after a while, when your body is accustomed to the pill, the headaches become less occurrent.
Meanwhile, women who experience menstrual migraines may get relief when taking the pills.
While some people experience lighter moods when taking birth pills, others seem to experience the opposite.
If you have a history of anxiety, depression and insomnia, taking the pill for some time may increase the severity of your symptoms. So, it is necessary to see a medical practitioner for advice.
Other rare side effects and health risks that may stem from birth control pills are:
Birth control pills are not recommended if you;
According to Healthline, you should also discuss potential risks with your doctor if you;
If you experience severe side effects from the pills, there are other non-hormonal birth control methods you can use including:
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